Play Therapist

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this role

Words First is a multidisciplinary team of Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Educational Psychologists, Counsellors, and Play Therapists working across schools in London. We are looking for a qualified Play Therapist to join our growing team and support children and young people across a range of educational settings.

This role is ideal for someone passionate about supporting children’s emotional wellbeing through therapeutic play approaches within schools. You will work closely with pupils, families, SENCOs, pastoral teams, and the wider multidisciplinary team to help children feel safe, regulated, understood, and able to access learning.

About the Role

You will provide play therapy interventions for children experiencing social, emotional, behavioural, and wellbeing challenges. This may include supporting children with anxiety, trauma, attachment difficulties, emotional regulation needs, school-based distress, bereavement, neurodivergent profiles, and adverse childhood experiences.

The role combines direct therapeutic work with collaboration, consultation, and contribution to wider wellbeing support within schools.

Responsibilities

• Deliver individual and small-group play therapy sessions within school settings
• Complete assessments, formulations, and therapeutic planning
• Maintain accurate clinical notes and reports
• Work collaboratively with SENCOs, school staff, families, and multidisciplinary professionals
• Contribute to safeguarding and wellbeing planning where appropriate
• Create safe, supportive, and therapeutic environments for children
• Participate in supervision, CPD, and team meetings
• Support schools in developing emotionally supportive and trauma-informed practices

Essential Criteria

• Recognised qualification in Play Therapy
• Registration with one of the following professional bodies:
  • British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT), or
  • Play Therapy UK (PTUK)
• Experience working therapeutically with children and young people
• Strong understanding of child development, attachment, and emotional wellbeing
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and professional boundaries
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams
• Commitment to inclusive, child-centred, and neurodivergent-affirming practice

Desirable

• Experience working within schools or educational settings
• Experience supporting neurodivergent children and young people
• Understanding of trauma-informed approaches
• Experience working collaboratively with families and external professionals

What We Offer

• A warm, supportive, and collaborative multidisciplinary team
• Regular supervision and opportunities for reflective practice
• Ongoing CPD and training opportunities
• Structured onboarding and induction
• Opportunities to collaborate with therapists, psychologists, and school staff
• A role where you can genuinely impact children’s emotional wellbeing and access to learning

At Words First, children are at the centre of everything we do. We believe strong relationships, collaboration, and emotionally supportive environments create the best outcomes for children, families, and schools.