At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide child-led play therapy sessions to help children process their emotions.
- Company: CARA, a charity supporting victims of sexual violence and child abuse.
- Benefits: Ongoing training, support, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to empowering vulnerable clients.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Diploma in Counselling, Play Therapy qualification, and experience with children.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Our specialist children's practitioners provide child-led play therapy sessions on a weekly basis, usually for 6-16 weeks. Sessions give children the opportunity to process what has happened to them and make sense of the complicated and confusing emotions they may be experiencing. Our practitioners work from our purpose-designed therapeutic playroom in Colchester or from some of our outreach premises in other areas, using a range of techniques including sand tray, art and imaginative play.
What we expect from our Sessional Counsellors/Play Therapists:
- Support up to eight CARA clients each week
- Maintain and update accurate database records of clients
- Diploma in Counselling or equivalent, with a minimum of 400 counselling hours.
- Certificate in Counselling Children, Play Therapy qualification or equivalent
- Experience of working therapeutically with children with psychological and behavioural problems.
- An understanding of how trauma affects children both physically and emotionally.
- An ability to work creatively to enable children to process their conscious and unconscious emotions.
- An ability to work collaboratively with parents, while protecting children’s confidentiality.
- To liaise with other agencies including social care, Children and Adolescent Mental Health service (CAMHS) and schools, and attend meetings and provide reports, where required.
- Attendance of one CARA Meeting per month and attendance of monthly point of contact meetings.
- Attendance of clinical supervision, provided by a CARA-approved supervisor.
- Attend annual safeguarding training and other relevant training
- An open and non-judgemental attitude.
- Demonstrable understanding of safeguarding, both in relation to children and to vulnerable adults;
- Sessional Counsellors/Play Therapists will be working with clients on behalf of CARA and not on a private basis. As such, they will be bound by CARA’s processes, policies and procedures.
- Commitment to the feminist ethos of CARA
- Willingness to commit the necessary time to supporting vulnerable clients
- Membership of BACP, UKCP or equivalent professional body
- Abide by BACP’s Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Owing to the nature of the role, we are only able to take on female candidates
What the Sessional Counsellor/Play Therapist can expect from us:
- Training and support
- Ongoing training opportunities
We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and those with additional language skills, including BSL.
About CARA: CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) works with victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, providing independent, specialist support and promoting and representing their rights and needs. CARA is a registered charity working with adults of all genders, young people and children from across mid and north Essex. We have a head office in Colchester and outreach premises in Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton-on-Sea, Great Dunmow and Harwich. We also provide remote services. CARA seeks to be an inclusive organisation that actively encourages, supports and values diversity amongst both our service-users and our workers. We wish to create a culture in which discrimination, in all its forms, is recognised and addressed. You can read more about CARA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion on our website. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds.
About Synergy East: CARA is part of Synergy East. We work closely with SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis) to deliver the contract for the Office for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex for services for victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse across Essex.
Sessional Play Therapist in Essex employer: CARA
CARA is an exceptional employer for those passionate about supporting vulnerable children and survivors of trauma. With a strong commitment to ongoing training and professional development, our inclusive work culture fosters collaboration and creativity in therapeutic practices. Located in Colchester, we offer a purpose-designed therapeutic playroom and outreach services, ensuring that our practitioners have the resources and support needed to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sessional Play Therapist in Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the field of play therapy and child counselling. Attend local events or workshops where you can meet professionals from CARA and other organisations. You never know who might have a lead on a sessional role!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your experience with children, especially those who have faced trauma. Include case studies or examples of how you've creatively helped kids process their emotions. This will make you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to CARA and express your interest in becoming a Sessional Play Therapist. A friendly email or call can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm and commitment.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated! Follow CARA on social media and keep an eye on their website for any upcoming opportunities or events. Engaging with their content can also give you insights into their values and mission, which is super helpful for interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Sessional Play Therapist in Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your passion for working with children shine through. We want to see how much you care about helping them process their emotions and experiences.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in play therapy or counselling. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your skills and understanding of trauma in children.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that make it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the position. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at CARA
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the principles of play therapy and how it helps children process their emotions. Brush up on your knowledge about trauma and its effects on children, as well as the specific techniques you might use in sessions, like sand tray or art.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, let your passion for working with children shine through. Share personal experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to helping vulnerable clients. This will show them that you genuinely care about making a difference.
✨Be Ready to Collaborate
Since the role involves liaising with parents and other agencies, be prepared to discuss how you would approach collaboration. Think of examples where you’ve worked as part of a team or communicated effectively with others to support a child’s needs.
✨Emphasise Your Ethical Stance
CARA values a strong ethical framework, so be ready to talk about your understanding of safeguarding and confidentiality. Discuss how you would uphold these principles while working with clients and their families, showing that you align with their values.
