Child and Family Specialist - Play Therapy

Salary range: £46,161 - £49,590 London weighting pro rata 
Contract: 36 Months Fixed Term- End date 31st March 2029  
Hours of work: 36 hours FTE 1.0.  Term Time Working (39 weeks) 
Location: Brent Civic Centre as well as other locations as required 

Join Brent’s dynamic SEND Outreach Service at an exciting time of transformation, as we bring to life the vision set out in the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan, including the innovative “Experts at Hand” approach.  

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a forward‑thinking team that places children, young people and their families at the heart of practice, working alongside them as valued partners in shaping inclusive, high‑quality support.  

We are seeking passionate, reflective professionals who are committed to co‑production, early intervention and systemic change, and who are inspired by the opportunity to strengthen inclusive practice across settings. In Brent, you will contribute to a collaborative outreach offer that builds capacity, shares expertise and ensures that every child with SEND can thrive in their local community.

Through the power of play, you will help children understand their experiences, build resilience and develop the confidence and emotional skills needed to thrive. 
 

The Role

We are seeking a skilled and compassionate Child and Family Specialist (Play Therapy) to join our Intervention First Team, working directly with children, young people and their families to improve emotional wellbeing and mental health outcomes.

This role sits at the heart of early intervention, delivering high-quality, play-based therapeutic support to children experiencing social, emotional and behavioural challenges. You will work creatively and flexibly across a range of settings, including schools, family homes and community venues, helping children to express themselves, process experiences and build resilience.

Key responsibilities include:

• Deliver structured and non-directive play therapy tailored to individual needs, including children with SEND, neurodiversity and trauma backgrounds
• Carry out holistic assessments and develop targeted, outcome-focused intervention plans
• Work closely with parents and carers, offering guidance and strategies to support children’s emotional development and strengthen relationships
• Collaborate with schools and a wide range of professionals as part of a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to joined-up planning and support
• Contribute to multi-agency meetings and provide specialist advice on play therapy and child development
• Maintain high standards of safeguarding, recording, and professional practice
• Support the development and continuous improvement of therapeutic services and practice
• This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting difference to children's lives while helping shape a growing and innovative therapeutic offer within Brent.

The Person

We are looking for a dedicated and reflective practitioner with a strong commitment to supporting children’s emotional wellbeing through play-based approaches.

You will:

• Hold a recognised qualification in Play Therapy, Therapeutic Play, Child Psychotherapy or a related field, with relevant professional registration or accreditation (or working towards it)
• Have a strong understanding of child development, attachment theory and trauma-informed practice
• Bring experience of working directly with children and young people with emotional, behavioural or developmental needs, including those who have experienced trauma or adversity
• Have experience delivering therapeutic or play-based interventions and working with families and carers
• Be confident working within multi-agency environments, building effective relationships with professionals across education, health and social care
• Demonstrate excellent communication, observation and reflective skills, with the ability to assess needs and plan effective interventions
• Be able to manage a caseload independently while maintaining high-quality records and reports
• Be committed to safeguarding, ethical practice and ongoing professional development

Above all, you will be empathetic, child-centred and passionate about using therapeutic approaches to support children, young people and families to achieve positive outcomes.

Why Join Brent?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking local authority at the forefront of SEND reform. In Brent, you will be empowered to influence practice, shape services and drive meaningful change for children, young people and families across the borough.

You’ll be joining a collaborative and ambitious team that values innovation, partnership working and inclusive practice — where your expertise and ideas can make a genuine and lasting impact. 

Application Guidance

Along with your CV, you must provide a supporting statement clearly demonstrating how you meet the key criteria outlined in the Application Guidance  linked below:

https://www.brent.gov.uk/-/media/files/brent-job-descriptions/2026/application-guidance--child-and-family-specialist-play-therapist.pdf?rev=-1

We recommend using examples from your experience to evidence your knowledge, skills and achievements relevant to the role.

Please note that CVs alone will not be accepted and applications that do not sufficiently address the essential criteria may not be shortlisted.

If you are passionate about inclusive practice and want to be part of a forward-thinking local authority at the forefront of SEND reform and meaningful system-wide change, please apply now!  

Closing date: Sunday 11th October at 23:59