Band 6 Play/Art Therapist

About the role

The Band 6 Play/Art Therapist will join a supportive multi‑disciplinary team to 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 focuses on delivering play‑based interventions and bereavement support.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver individual play therapy and bereavement support to children and young people.
• Facilitate family support groups and promote death education in local schools.
• Liaise closely with GPs, social services, CAMHS, specialist palliative care and paediatric oncology teams.
• Contribute to teaching, audit, research and service development initiatives.
• Provide psychological support to families known to the Specialist Palliative Care Team.

Required profile

• Qualified Play Therapist or Art Therapist, registered with the appropriate professional body.
• Experience working with children and young people in health or community settings.
• Understanding of palliative care and paediatric oncology contexts.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Strong communication skills for liaising with schools, families and external agencies.

Required skills

• Play therapy techniques and therapeutic art methods.
• Bereavement and family group facilitation skills.
• Knowledge of child development and psychosocial needs.
• Effective liaison and partnership working with health, education and social care professionals.

What we offer

• A supportive NHS environment with access to a wide range of professional development opportunities.
• Opportunities to engage in teaching, research and service improvement projects.
• Collaboration with a dedicated multi‑disciplinary team across hospital and community settings.