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 employer: CARA
CARA is an exceptional employer for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and survivors of sexual violence. Located in Colchester, our inclusive work culture prioritises ongoing training and support, ensuring that our Sessional Play Therapists have ample opportunities for professional growth while working collaboratively with a diverse team. Join us in our mission to provide vital therapeutic services and be part of a compassionate organisation that values diversity and promotes a feminist ethos.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sessional Play Therapist
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Before your interview, dive into CARA's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to diversity and inclusion will help you connect your experiences with their ethos.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your play therapy techniques! Be ready to discuss how you’ve used creative methods in your past roles. Share specific examples of how you've helped children process their emotions through play.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former employees if you can. They can give you insider tips on what CARA looks for in a Sessional Play Therapist and how to stand out during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at CARA.
We think you need these skills to ace Sessional Play Therapist
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 following our process correctly.
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 mentioned in the job description, like sand tray and imaginative play.
✨Show Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous experience working with children, especially those with psychological and behavioural issues. Prepare examples that highlight your ability to work creatively and collaboratively, as well as any relevant training or qualifications you have.
✨Emphasise Confidentiality
Since confidentiality is crucial in this role, be prepared to talk about how you would handle sensitive information. Share your understanding of safeguarding practices and how you would maintain a non-judgemental attitude while working with clients and their families.
✨Align with CARA’s Values
Familiarise yourself with CARA’s feminist ethos and commitment to diversity and inclusion. During the interview, express your alignment with these values and how you can contribute to creating an inclusive environment for both clients and colleagues.
