Children's Therapy Practitioner (London)

Have you got experience of working within a domestic abuse or violence against women and girls field, specifically with children and young people across a wide range of ages, diverse backgrounds and ethnicities? Have you got a professional qualification in PG Dip/ Masters in play therapy/ art therapy/ drama therapy or child psychotherapy and hold at least 100 hours clinical play/creative arts therapy experience with children and young people?

Right now, DVIP, a part of Waythrough charity, is looking for a highly skilled play therapist to join their children’s therapeutic service at different sites around London. DVIP has been helping to make women and children safer over 25 years and our children’s therapy service is one of only a handful offering direct provision to children aged 3 – 17 affected by domestic abuse. The service works to fulfil DVIP’s aim that all members of a family have access to appropriate integrated, but separate and distinct services following their experience of domestic abuse. The approach of the service is child-centred and non directive, allowing children to express their feelings and experiences through the use of creative materials and play therapy.

Your work will involve processing referrals and the accompanying administrative tasks, assessing children and families and providing holistic/integrative approaches and mainly non-directive play therapy interventions. We’ll also rely on you to help the service manager to develop and manage training placements, run centre based and outreach therapeutic services and provide training on domestic abuse issues. Carrying out risk assessments, undertaking review sessions, liaising with external agencies and promoting and raising the profile of our work – all are aspects of this varied and vital role. As an employer committed to anti-oppressive practice, we aim to reflect the diversity of the children and families we work with and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Relevantly qualified and registered, you’re used to using holistic/integrative models of therapy, play therapy and other creative forms such as art therapy. You also have proven experience of assessing children and families’ suitability for therapeutic intervention. What’s more, as a skilled and experienced practitioner you will have an ability to form therapeutic relationships with children and parents that have clear boundaries, are compassionate and focused on increasing safety and wellbeing and minimising harm.

You’re also adept at communicating sensitive and/or complex issues clearly, both over the phone and in person. Experience of working within safeguarding and child protection procedures is essential too, as is a well-organised yet flexible approach, excellent report writing and presentation skills and the ability to use office IT and admin systems.