Play Therapist

Salary: Grade 9 (40777-£45091) per annum pro rata

Contract: Temporary until 10/03/28

Hours: Part Time 22.5 hours per week

Location of post: Various schools across the authority

We are currently looking for a Play Therapist to join our team.

We seek a dedicated and innovative qualified Play Therapist to work with pupils from Years 1-6 across primary schools within Neath Port Talbot. Some work may also be undertaken outside of school hours and outside the school setting.

• Provide direct Play Therapy to children and young people, including work outside school hours and settings.
• Deliver group work and run workshops with groups of children and young people.
• Deliver training when required.
• Play an integral part in developing the School Based Counselling Service within the authority, collaborating with other staff within the Inclusion Service and taking part in multi-disciplinary consultations with schools.
• Enhance the skills of school-based staff.

• Hold a Play Therapy qualification approved by BAPT/PTUK and be accredited/registered with a relevant professional body.
• Experience of working with children and young people.
• Understanding of the education system and the barriers or issues that contribute to children and young people disengaging from school.
• Experience of working and liaising with other agencies.
• Sound knowledge of appropriate referral systems for Health and Education within Neath Port Talbot and neighbouring authorities.
• Experience of lone working and within community settings.
• Thorough knowledge of Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures.
• Welsh language skills are desirable.

• Hybrid working (in some roles) and flexible working schemes to improve your work life balance
• Competitive employee package with a remarkable 22.4% employer pension contribution
• Enjoy a holiday entitlement of 25 days, increasing to 32 days after 5 years' service (plus 8 bank holidays)
• Discounted gym membership with Celtic Leisure
• Cycle to work scheme with up to 40% off bikes and cycling equipment
• Purchase a new car through Tusker salary sacrifice scheme
• Exclusive discounts at local and national retailers with the Smart Spend app through our staff wellbeing group

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS disclosure. You will be a frontline/community based worker.

Neath Port Talbot Council is totally committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Our schools/employees are equally committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all children and young people/vulnerable adults and will take action to safeguard their wellbeing.

The recruitment process for this post will be underpinned by rigorous safer recruitment assessment to ensure that children and young people are protected.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who have a disability and armed forces veterans. In support of employees of Tata Steel who are at risk of redundancy, or have been made redundant in 2024, Neath Port Talbot Council is offering a guaranteed interview for jobs across the Council.

Should you require any further information, please contact Rhian Miller, School Based Counselling Service Manager () to arrange an informal discussion.

Closing date required: 20/02/2026