Child and Family Specialist (Play Therapy)

Salary range: £44,685 - £48,003 London weighting pro rata.

Contract: 36 Months Fixed Term- End date 31st March 2029.

Hours of work: 36 hours FTE 1.0. Term Time Working (39 weeks).

Location: Brent Civic Centre as well as other locations as required.

Join Brent’s dynamic SEND Outreach Service at an exciting time of transformation, as we bring to life the vision set out in the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan, including the innovative “Experts at Hand” approach. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a forward‑thinking team that places children, young people and their families at the heart of practice, working alongside them as valued partners in shaping inclusive, high‑quality support.

We are seeking passionate, reflective professionals who are committed to co‑production, early intervention and systemic change, and who are inspired by the opportunity to strengthen inclusive practice across settings. In Brent, you will contribute to a collaborative outreach offer that builds capacity, shares expertise and ensures that every child with SEND can thrive in their local community. Through the power of play, you will help children understand their experiences, build resilience and develop the confidence and emotional skills needed to thrive.

The Role

We are seeking a skilled and compassionate Child and Family Specialist (Play Therapy) to join our Intervention First Team, working directly with children, young people and their families to improve emotional wellbeing and mental health outcomes. This role sits at the heart of early intervention, delivering high‑quality, play‑based therapeutic support to children experiencing social, emotional and behavioural challenges. You will work creatively and flexibly across a range of settings, including schools, family homes and community venues, helping children to express themselves, process experiences and build resilience.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver structured and non‑directive play therapy tailored to individual needs, including children with SEND, neurodiversity and trauma backgrounds.
• Carry out holistic assessments and develop targeted, outcome‑focused intervention plans.
• Work closely with parents and carers, offering guidance and strategies to support children’s emotional development and strengthen relationships.
• Collaborate with schools and a wide range of professionals as part of a multi‑disciplinary team, contributing to joined‑up planning and support.
• Contribute to multi‑agency meetings and provide specialist advice on play therapy and child development.
• Maintain high standards of safeguarding, recording, and professional practice.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of therapeutic services and practice.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting difference to children’s lives while helping shape a growing and innovative therapeutic offer within Brent.

The person

We are looking for a dedicated and reflective practitioner with a strong commitment to supporting children’s emotional wellbeing through play‑based approaches.

• Hold a recognised qualification in Play Therapy, Therapeutic Play, Child Psychotherapy or a related field, with relevant professional registration or accreditation (or working towards it).
• Have a strong understanding of child development, attachment theory and trauma‑informed practice.
• Bring experience of working directly with children and young people with emotional, behavioural or developmental needs, including those who have experienced trauma or adversity.
• Have experience delivering therapeutic or play‑based interventions and working with families and carers.
• Be confident working within multi‑agency environments, building effective relationships with professionals across education, health and social care.
• Demonstrate excellent communication, observation and reflective skills, with the ability to assess needs and plan effective interventions.
• Be able to manage a caseload independently while maintaining high‑quality records and reports.
• Be committed to safeguarding, ethical practice and ongoing professional development.

Benefits

• Up to 33 days annual leave (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays.
• Excellent pension with generous employer contributions (LGPS).
• Hybrid and flexible working options available for most roles.
• Supportive family‑friendly policies for parent, guardians and carers.
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to eye test support and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Financial support such as education sessions, childcare deposit loans, and season ticket loans.
• Travel perks including affordable parking nearby, a Cycle to Work scheme, and great onsite facilities.
• Learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Access to My Brent Rewards with exclusive discounts on shopping, travel, leisure and entertainment.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

Brent Council values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this and therefore encourages applications from all sections of the community. We positively encourage all applicants to self‑identify their characteristics in the diversity survey section in the application. We are committed to safer recruitment and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants should be aware that posts working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are subject to an Enhanced DBS check as well as other employment clearances. We are a disability confident employer and welcome applications from people with all disabilities, including non‑visible disabilities and mental health conditions. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact recruitment@brent.gov.uk.

Application guidance

Along with your CV you must provide a supporting statement that clearly shows how you meet the key criteria outlined in the Application Guidance. Please note that CVs alone will not be accepted and applications that do not sufficiently address the essential criteria may not be shortlisted.

Closing date: Sunday 5th July at 23:59.