Female* Play Therapists - 2 roles available

We have a rewarding opportunity available for two Female* Play Therapists to join our team based in Bristol. You will join us either on a Fixed Term Contract until 31st March 2027 working full-time (37.5 hours per week), or on a Permanent Contract working part-time (15 hours per week). In return, you will receive a competitive salary of Point 22 £34,811 per annum (pro rata for part time hours) plus benefits.

Established in 1999, Next Link is the leading provider of domestic abuse services to women and children in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. At Next Link we are committed to providing holistic, empowering and personalised support and advocacy to women and children experiencing domestic abuse. With a focus on survivors' safety and recovery; we believe the provision of flexible support tailored to survivors' needs can be transforming, helping to maximise independence and self-determination so survivors can make informed choices.

In return for joining us, we will offer you:

• Up to 30 days annual leave (depending on length of service)
• 3 extra holidays including International Women's Day
• Excellent development and training opportunities
• Employer pension contribution (minimum 5% of your gross salary)
• Mindful Employer Plus Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Long Service Awards
• Wellness Awards
• Staff Recognition Awards
• Facility to Work from Home once fully trained

About the role: This post will work within an integrated team within Next Link Domestic abuse services to provide therapy to safe house children and young people on an individual casework basis. You will work with children and young people who are survivors of domestic abuse many of which will be exhibiting emotional and/or behavioural needs or who are at risk of developing such concerns. You will work systemically and develop effective working relationships with the child and their mother/professionals, to provide advice and guidance in order to support the therapeutic process for the child/young person.

Key duties and responsibilities of our Female* Play Therapist:

• Assess referral suitability for therapy, in consultation with Children's Manager.
• Undertake a therapeutic assessment of the emotional needs of the child/young person via 1:1 assessment sessions alongside mum in order to devise therapeutic outcomes.
• Carry out individual therapy sessions, within the agreed framework, with children/young people where there are concerns about their emotional wellbeing and/or behaviour. Group interventions may also be delivered, depending on the needs of the safe house.
• Maintain confidentiality whilst promoting the safety and welfare of the child/young person, working within Next Links policies of confidentiality and safeguarding.
• Work with Mums where appropriate and provide information, guidance and advice so families can provide appropriate and ongoing support to the client outside of the therapy room.
• Undertake regular review meetings with mums and other professionals as appropriate.
• Manage your own caseload, including organising/prioritising your workload and meeting work deadlines.
• Keep accurate client records of assessments, interventions and progress and provide statistical/monitoring information alongside written reports on the work undertaken.
• Establish, maintain and monitor service administrative systems including client records of assessments, interventions and progress.
• Provide statistical/monitoring information alongside written reports on the work undertaken in schools. This can include quarterly reports of quantitative data which also review and evaluate.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding legislation and guidance and put this into practice, attending training as required.
• Take responsibility for health and safety, equal opportunities and data protection within the scope of the post.
• Work systemically e.g. develop effective working relationships with Next Link staff and other professionals.
• Devise and deliver service specific staff development training on emotional health and wellbeing related topics in order to upskill Next Link Staff.
• Undertake clinical supervision as required by the Registering Body and participate in regular line management meetings.
• Maintain registration and membership of relevant professional body (e.g. BAPT, PT UK) and adherence to said professional code of ethics and practice.
• Work flexibly according to the demands of the service and perform such other duties, within the competence of the post holder, as may be required.
• Undertake any additional responsibilities commensurate with the grade and salary, which are considered appropriate by the Senior Services Manager.
• Have a Think Family Approach Champion service user empowerment and involvement of CYP.
• Liaise effectively and collaboratively with all appropriate agencies relating to CYP/family welfare.

This is not an exhaustive list of your duties and outlines the general ways in which it is expected you will meet the overall requirements of this post.

What we are looking for in our ideal Female* Play Therapist:

• The ability to build rapport quickly with women, children, young people participating in the service.
• The ability to work constructively with the parent/guardian and their children in order to foster their relationships.
• Experience of providing support to young people and children under stress and who are vulnerable.
• An understanding and awareness of the needs of women, and children of all ages who have experienced domestic abuse.
• An understanding and knowledge of child protection and safeguarding and the ability to work within national, local and organisational guidelines.

If you are motivated, resourceful and passionate please apply now to join us as our Female* Play Therapist and contribute to the valuable work Next Link and its wider services, delivering hope and support to survivors of domestic violence and abuse.

How to apply: Please download the Application Pack from our website and complete the application form. Please submit your application by 9am on Friday 13th November 2026. Please do not send CVs. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 18th November 2026.

Next Link is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk of abuse, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Next Link is committed to Equal Opportunities.

*Due to the specific requirements of this role, this post is exempt under the Equality Act (2010), Part 1, Schedule 9 (Genuine Occupational Requirement).