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, experience with children, and a creative approach to therapy.
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
- 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.
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. Job in Essex LilyLifestyle Jobs employer: United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia
CARA is an exceptional employer dedicated to supporting victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, offering a nurturing work environment in Colchester, Essex. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, CARA provides ongoing training opportunities and a collaborative culture that empowers Sessional Play Therapists to make a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable children. Employees benefit from professional development, clinical supervision, and the chance to work alongside passionate practitioners in a purpose-designed therapeutic setting.
Contact Details:
United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sessional Play Therapist. Job in Essex LilyLifestyle Jobs
✨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 own experiences with what they stand for.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your play therapy techniques! Be ready to discuss how you would use creative methods like art or sand tray in your sessions. Show them you can think on your feet and adapt to the needs of the children.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current practitioners! If you can, reach out to someone already working at CARA. They can give you insider tips on what to expect and how to shine during your interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and supporting vulnerable clients.
We think you need these skills to ace Sessional Play Therapist. Job in Essex LilyLifestyle Jobs
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, so don’t hold back!
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. Avoid jargon and keep it simple!
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 role. Plus, you can find more info about CARA and our values there.
How to prepare for a job interview at United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia
✨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 understanding of trauma and its effects on children, as well as the techniques you might use in sessions, like sand tray or art.
✨Show Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous work with children, especially those with psychological and behavioural issues. Share specific examples of how you've creatively helped children express their feelings and how you’ve collaborated with parents and other agencies.
✨Emphasise Your Values
CARA values a feminist ethos and inclusivity, so be prepared to talk about why these principles matter to you. Highlight any experiences that demonstrate your commitment to diversity and safeguarding, and how you would uphold these values in your role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some questions that show your interest in the role and the organisation. Inquire about the training opportunities available, how they support their practitioners, and what a typical week looks like for a Sessional Play Therapist at CARA.
