Play Therapist

Play Therapist

Location: Aurora Eccles and White House Schools, Quidenham, Norwich, NR16 2NZ

Hours: Up to 32 hours per week – Term time plus 2 weeks

Full time equivalent salary: (40 hours/52 weeks) £32,302 - £38,729 to be pro rata for up to 32 hours per week / Term time plus 2 weeks to Actual annual salary: £23,337.22 - £27,980.63 per year

Contract: Permanent 

Start date: As soon as possible

Aurora White House School and Aurora Eccles School

Join our ambitious, supportive, and positive Multidisciplinary Therapy Team to deliver impactful Play Therapy services for students aged 5–16 with communication, interaction, and learning difficulties, including autism and dyslexia.

Why Join Us?

• Onsite clinical team – full support available at all times
• Small class sizes – maximum of 10 students per class
• High staff-to-student ratio – minimum of 3 staff per class
• Experienced and stable Senior Leadership Team
• Supportive and inclusive environment focused on individual student needs

To take a virtual look around the schools please click here: Eccles Virtual Tour  Or: White House Virtual Tour

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver assessments and interventions aligned with EHCPs.
• Manage a caseload of students with complex needs.
• Collaborate with therapists, ELSAs, and education staff.
• Develop and review individualised therapy plans.
• Provide direct and indirect play therapy (individual/group).
• Monitor outcomes and contribute to Annual Reviews.
• Offer training, advice, and support to staff and families.
• Participate in multi-agency working and student transitions.
• Supervise therapy assistants and contribute to service development.

Please note that duties will vary and you will be expected to contribute to the overall aims of the schools when required. Please see the link below for our full job description:

Job Description – Play Therapist

Candidates must:

• Hold a Play Therapy qualification approved by PTUK/BAPT
• Be an accredited member of PTUK/BAPT
• Be able to show evidence of ongoing CPD in areas relevant to client group
• If possible, have post qualification training in a specialised areas related to client group such as autism, trauma and attachment difficulties, ACEs, SEMH

Successful candidates must have knowledge of:

• A range of assessment tools and evidence of skills application
• A range of therapy interventions relevant to client group
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development as recommended by BAPT/PTUK
• Of SEN and working within SEN education settings
• Of the positive behaviour support framework
• Of Autism Spectrum Conditions, ADHD, and SEMH difficulties
• Of safeguarding for children and young people and upholding safe working practices

Candidates must have the following experience:

• Post-qualification experience as a Play Therapist
• Clinical responsibility and confidentiality
• Of use of varied therapeutic approaches
• Of multi-disciplinary and multi-agency collaboration
• Of writing reports for Annual Reviews

Due to the rural location of the school, candidates are strongly advised to hold a full UK driving licence and have access to their own vehicle.

What We Offer

Be part of our successful team and enjoy a generous benefits package, including:

• Life assurance
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Free lunches when working
• Free onsite parking
• Perkbox – offering high street discounts, car lease and bike to Work scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Fully funded training and qualifications
• Family swim sessions
• Private 24 hour GP Service
• Free membership to our Health Cash Back Plan – claim back money on services such as dental, optical, physio, and more

How to Apply: 

Please complete an online application form in full, remembering to include all employment and education details.  If you need any assistance or would like any more information, please contact Liz in the Aurora Group Recruitment Team at liz.hudson@theauroragroup.co.uk

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.

This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled. 

Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.