Play/Art Therapist
Job Description
Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic Band 6 Play Therapist to join our supportive multi-disciplinary team. You will provide therapeutic and emotional support to children and young people referred through the Zig Zag Children and Young People's Service, working across hospital and community settings.
The role includes:
- Delivering individual play therapy and bereavement support
- Facilitating family support groups
- Working closely with schools, GPs, social services, CAMHS, and healthcare professionals
- Supporting children known to Specialist Palliative Care and Paediatric Oncology services
- Contributing to teaching, audit, research, and service development
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be a member of the Margaret Centre multi-disciplinary team (MDT). S/he will provide Play Therapy to children/young people referred to the Zig Zag Children and Young People's Service from Whipps Cross University Hospital and the local community. S/he will offer appropriate psychological support to children/young people and their families known to the Specialist Palliative Care Team and to Paediatric Oncology.
S/he will liaise and support schools in the area to promote death education and will liaise with other services eg, Social Services, GPs, etc.
About us
Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain's leading healthcare providers.
Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Post Graduate qualification in Play Therapy
- BAPT or BAAT membership
Desirable
- Diploma in counselling
- Bereavement counselling course
Experience
Essential
- Experience of Play/Art Therapy
- Has worked with bereaved children
Desirable
- Group facilitation
- Has worked in a multi-disciplinary environment, with a range of individuals working at different grades
Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent knowledge of the principles and practice of Play/Art Therapy interventions
- Good working knowledge of child protection legislation
- Good knowledge of the principles and practice of palliative care
- Understands the implications of service performance
- Awareness of drivers for change in the NHS, counselling and palliative care services
- Equal opportunities
Desirable
- Recognises professional and corporate responsibility within the role
Skills
Essential
- Very good written and verbal skills
- Able to carry out risk assessments on children and their families and identify plans to address any concerns
- Sound organisational skills, including ability to give direction
- Acts as a role model and consultant to trainees
- Able to organise their workload in an efficient and effective manner
- Ability to work in isolation whilst being part of the MDT
- Able to organise and deliver study sessions and short courses
- Able to analyse current professional issues in children's counselling services
Desirable
- Evidence of initiating change
- Evidence of being involved in research
- Car Driver
Other
Essential
- Approachable and diplomatic
- Ability to work under pressure
- Flexibility in working patterns in order to meet needs and deadlines
- Reflective practitioner
- Able to identify own learning and support needs
- Professional attitude towards their work
- Willing and able to receive supervision
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Barts Health NHS Trust
Address
Whipps Cross University Hospital
London
E11 1NR
United Kingdom
