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Training Placements

Placement Opportunities for APAC Students

Clinical placements are an essential part of training in therapeutic play skills and play therapy. They provide an excellent opportunity for organisations working with children to assess the effectiveness of these interventions in a safe way and at little or no cost. They are not intended as a low cost way of funding services over a longer period.

It is vital that organisations providing placements observe the APAC standards and that there is a contract that clearly defines the responsibilities of the trainee and the placement organisation that satisfies the trainee’s clinical supervisor and the training provider.

Please Note: For PG Cert & PG Dip placements a DLP (Safe guarding lead) is required on site at all times. Students may not be paid directly by clients/parents for any Therapeutic Play or Play Therapy clinical placement sessions or supervision. The organisation may contribute towards supervision.

Berkshire

Grove Academy, Slough, Berkshire (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Berkshire

Grove Academy

Description of placement opportunity: 

Mainstream through school happy to host trainee play therapists to work with selected pupils from YR-Y2.

 

Placement location:

Grove Academy, Ladbrooke Road, Chalvey, Slough, SL1 2SR

 

Main Contact information: 

Nina Jordan (Primary SENCo)

01753517359

Website:

https://www.groveacademy.co.uk/

How to apply:

via email to njordan@groveacademy.co.uk

Langley Hall Primary Academy, Langley, Berkshire (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Name of Provider: Langley Hall Primary Academy

 

Description:

4 form entry school from Reception to year 6, based in Langley across 2 school sites, one mile apart.  The school has an emphasis on the whole child, with many opportunities for extra curricular activities, swimming, music and residential/outdoors learning trips and experiences.  The cohort is diverse, with a higher than average percentage of children with English as an additional language.  Recent OFSTED rating (2022) is good.

 

Placement location:

St Mary’s Road, Langley, SL3 6BZ

 

Contact information:

Stella Kalamaj – Deputy Head

01753 580516

stella@lhpa.co.uk

 

Website:

www.lhpa.co.uk

 

How to apply:

Please email stella@lhpa.co.uk, or call the office 01753 580516

Psychology & Wellbeing Service, Berkshire, Windsor

Adult, Children & Health Directorate Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, SL6 1RF

Email:  christine.thomas@achievingforchildren.org.uk

Tel: 01628 796688

We are a tier two service, offering targeted, short term therapeutic interventions to children, young people and their families. We take cases from all the RBWM schools and work with a range of emotional health issues from anger and anxiety to loss and family issues. Our therapy sessions normally take place in school and community settings and therapist have access to good library of resources as well as access to a budget for play therapy materials (with agreement). We are flexible in our working hours requirements and would be happy to negotiate anything from one day to a few days work for the right candidate.

We are able to offer a PTUK trainee clinical supervision with a PTUK supervisor (trainee) with a background in Play and Creative Arts and Attachment Focused Family Therapy. This is a fantastic opportunity for the right candidate to work as part of a supportive and good humoured team of therapist from a range of clinical modalities. This placement would suit someone in their diploma year, or an experienced certificate trainee who wants to accelerate their learning by working in our dynamic, multidisciplinary team.

The Annex Project - Tap Into Support, Berkshire, Wokingham (Suitable for PG Diploma level students only)

Experienced Play therapists listed on the PTUK Accredited Register and Trainee Placements Required.

Play Therapists required at our therapeutic centre, The Annex Project, in Wokingham Berkshire and in schools in the area.

We are looking for two passionate and enthusiastic Play Therapists to work with a range of clients, including those who have experienced trauma and loss.

We also have vacancies for 2 trainee placements within schools in the Wokingham and surrounding areas.

The Annex are passionate about supporting children and families who have complex difficulties and we are looking for Play Therapists who would enjoy being part of a therapeutic team.

For therapists listed on the PTUK Accredited Register please send your CV to TAP@theannexproject.com and visit our website www.theannexproject.com.

Trust House Reading Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre Berkshire, Berkshire, Reading (Suitable for Qualified Play Therapists with Trauma training only)

Trust House Reading is a specialist rape and sexual abuse support centre. We offer a range of services to women, men and children living in the Reading and Berkshire area who have been affected by sexual violence either recently or in the past. The services we offer are varied and include:

  • – Free, confidential and non-judgemental telephone and email support provided by trained volunteers
  • – Specialist counselling for adults
  • – Peer support groups
  • – Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) support (offering flexible and practical forms of support)
  • – Counselling, play therapy and bespoke workshops for children and young people (aged 4 -17 years old)
  • – All of our services are free and confidential.

 

It is our aim to support everyone in Berkshire who has experienced sexual violence. We believe that every individual has the right to be free from all forms of sexual violence and abuse. We support people who have historic and recent experiences of sexual violence and also supporters of survivors such as friends and family. Our counselling service for young people (aged 13 to 17 years) and play therapy for children (aged 4 to 13 years) are highly sought after because there are no other specialist organisations within the local area that offer these services for children.

We are looking for volunteer play therapists to provide professional and confidential therapy to children and young people who are victims/survivors of rape and sexual abuse. You would be working closely with our Lead Children and Young Person’s Counsellor (a qualified Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist) in one of our dedicated play therapy rooms in Reading. We also provide comprehensive in-house training on sexual violence.

For further information, a role description and an application form, please contact Claire at Claire.lukeman@trusthousereading.org or you can phone 0118 9502835.

Wooden Hill Primary and Nursery School, Berkshire, Bracknell (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Wooden Hill Primary and Nursery School is situated within the Great Hollands area of South Bracknell. Our school was built in 1977 as an open plan school and has undergone a series of extensions and refurbishments to develop the teaching and learning areas across the school. There is capacity within the school to accommodate 350 pupils from the Reception classes through to Year 6, with each year group admitting up to 50 pupils. We also have a popular Nursery Class, with up to 60 children.  At Wooden Hill our principle aim is: Creating a happy, secure and stimulating learning environment in which all members of the school community can grow in confidence and develop their full potential to achieve personal success. We believe in supporting children’s emotional wellbeing as well as their academic learning and support this in a number of ways throughout the school day, either through lunch clubs, 1-1 or group support.

Please contact Tanya O’Sullivan the Family Support Adviser. Tel: 01344 421117 option 4 or email: tanya.o’sullivan@office.woodenhill.bracknell-forest.sch.uk

Bristol

Bourne Family Project, Bristol (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Bourne Family Project is a small non-profit charity that works in its local community and the wider Bristol/South Glos area to provide support for families and low-cost creative therapy and counselling.

We accept referrals from schools, G.Ps, nurseries, social services, other services and self-referrals. We work with a range of emotional health issues from anger and anxiety to loss and family issues including domestic violence.

Our therapy sessions take place in our building where we have two rooms with a good base kit that students can add to from their own equipment whilst on placement. We also have a larger room where students’ own kit would need to be set up each time.

There is a budget for some additional resources that may be needed and would need to be requested through the project manager. We are flexible in our working hours requirements and would be happy to negotiate anything from a few hours to a day of placement for the correct candidate.

 

This placement would suit someone in their diploma year, or a certificate trainee.

 

Address: Bourne Family Project, Waters Road, Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 8BE

Email: info@bournefamilyproject.org 

Phone: 0117 9478441

Bristol Creative Therapy Centre C.I.C, Bristol (Suitable for PG Diploma level students only)

Name of Provider:

Bristol Creative Therapy Centre C.I.C

Description:

Bristol Creative Therapy centre, is a non for profit organisation. We work with children from Bristol, South Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas. We have 2 dedicated therapy rooms on site and you will be supported by 3 qualified therapists to offer 1-1 therapy sessions.

 

BCTC was set up to provide professional, affordable, accessible Creative Therapy sessions particularly to those families who cannot afford to access therapy at commercial rates.

We would welcome Play Therapy students to become part of our team. This includes students completing their certificate and diploma.

 

Placement location:

The Vassall Centre, Gill Ave, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 2QQ

 

Contact information:

Bristolcreativetherapycentre@gmail.com

 

Website: www.bristolcreativetherapycentre.org

 

How to apply: If you are interested in finding out more information the best way to contact us is through email.

St Augustines of Canterbury Catholic Primary School, Downend, Bristol (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

We are a small primary school with a strong sense of community, set in spacious grounds in Downend, Bristol. We have strong links with the parish, the pre-school and the community – everyone is welcomed into the St Augustine’s family.

We have an increasing number of children who need support emotionally and can provide a quiet safe space where therapy can take place.

Placement location:

Downend, Bristol, BS16 6QR

Contact information:

SENCO, Deanne Fitzpatrick

deanne.fitzpatrick@staugustinesprimary.org.uk

We would be delighted to take trainee therapists at our schools. For further information please contact:

Glenn Russell (Executive Headteacher) – grussell@stalhamacademy.co.uk

Ella Barnes (Deputy Headteacher) – ebarnes@stalhamacademy.co.uk

Stoke Bishop CoE Primary School, Bristol (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Stoke Bishop Primary School is a community based primary school with around 420 children on role. We are very proud of our school, it has a strong tradition of successful learning and achievement. Most importantly of all it is an environment that benefits from the collaboration and commitment of many in our community towards enabling the children to grow and develop the skills that lead to them being successful people.

At Stoke Bishop Church of England Primary School, we aim to be a fully inclusive school and provide an appropriate and high quality education for all children, including those identified as having ‘special educational needs or disabilities’. We emphasise the importance of quality first teaching for all pupils but recognise that some pupils may require additional support to enable them to access the curriculum and make progress.

After a very successful year with our current Play Therapist we are looking for a new therapist to join our team. We would be looking for someone to work with a number of children in either 1:1 or small group sessions, supporting our most vulnerable children. We recognise the powerful impact that play therapy can have and are very keen to be able to continue this provision into next year.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about our school then please do get in touch.

 

Main contact: Heather Whittard-Jones (Inclusion Lead)

Contact information: 0117 3772173

Stoke Bishop Primary School, Cedar Park Road, BS9 1BW

 

Website:  https://www.stokebishop.bristol.sch.uk/

Placement location: Bristol

How to apply:

Please contact Heather Whittard-Jones

heather.whittard-jones@bristol-schools.uk

East Anglia

Nebula Federation, Norfolk (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Name of Provider: Nebula Federation

 We are a federation of six junior and primary schools with excellent Pastoral and SEN provision. The placement location refers to one of our schools in the North Norwich area. We can however, provide placements in all of our schools. Currently, we employ a Play Therapist and have previously hosted other Play Therapy trainees.

We have suitable, well-equipped, confidential, therapy rooms in each of our schools in line in line with our vision of having emotionally literate and mentally healthy children. The schools have a Nurturing ethos with an in-house referral system, which can be accessed by all staff and parents, to provide various support for all children. A PTUK trainee would fit well into this ethos and add to the already well-rounded support package provided for our pupils.

 Placement location:

White Woman Lane School, Sprowston, Norwich, Norfolk, NR6 7JA

 Contact information:

 Website:

www.whitewomanlane.norfolk.sch.uk

How to apply:

We would be delighted to take trainee therapists at our schools. For further information please contact:

Ashley Best-White (Executive Headteacher) – head@nebula.norfolk.sch.uk;

Natalie Brown (Pastoral Manager) – pastoralmanager@nebula.norfolk.sch.uk

 

 

Sheringham Primary School, Sheringham (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Name of Provider:

Sheringham Community Primary School

Description:

We are a large primary school with excellent Pastoral and SEN provision. We have previously hosted other Play Therapy trainees and have a well-equipped, confidential, therapy room. The school has a Nurturing ethos with an in-house referral system, which can be accessed by all staff and parents, to provide various support for all children. A PTUK trainee would fit well into this ethos and add to the already well rounded support package provided for our pupils.

Cat Wall (SENCO and Inclusion Lead)

 

Placement location:

Sheringham Primary School, Sheringham NR26 8UH

 

Contact information:

Website:

www.sheringhamprimary.norfolk.sch.uk

How to apply:

For more information please email Cat Wall at cwall2drz@nsix.org.uk.

Stalham Acadamy, Norfolk, Norfolk, Stalham (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

We are an Infant and Junior school that are on the same site and run as an all through Primary school with the same leadership, ethos and approaches. The Infant school is one form entry, the Junior school is two form entry. At present we have a variety of spaces to run our mental health provision. The spaces are well equipped and given priority within our schools in line with our curriculum driver of having emotionally literate and mentally healthy children.

We have been successfully running the placement provision from 2018 and there is support on side available from PTUK qualified play therapist , who will be available to guide and support trainees around their placement and training needs.  At present we have a variety of spaces to run our mental health provision, which includes ELSA programme, play therapy and Adult’s counselling.

We would be delighted to take trainee therapists at our schools. For further information please contact:

Glenn Russell (Executive Headteacher) – grussell@stalhamacademy.co.uk

Ella Barnes (Deputy Headteacher) – ebarnes@stalhamacademy.co.uk

East Of England

Essex

Caroline Humphreys Prettygate Infant School, Essex, Colchester (Suitable for Qualified Play Therapists only)

Prettygate Infant School is a two form entry school in Colchester, Essex with 180 children on roll. We have an increasing number of children and families coming into our school that require support and interventions, play therapy being one of the most successful interventions we currently offer. We employ a qualified PTUK Certified play therapist one day a week and we are willing to offer trainees a placement experience as well as supervision by our therapist (who is a PTUK approved supervisor).

The school has a fully equipped play room for play therapy to take place in with a good range of materials and elements of the PTUK approved toolkit. Our Headteacher, SENCO and senior management team fully value the role of the play therapist and believe in the ethos of non directive, child led play to assist children in communicating their thoughts and feelings in a non judgemental accepting environment.

We look forward to hearing from you if you think that you would like to work with us.

Caroline Humphreys
Prettygate Infant School
Plume Avenue
Colchester
Essex CO3 4PH

Tel 01206 572357
Mobile for Caroline 07767 767506

Goresbrook Primary School, Dagenham (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Name of Provider:

Goresbrook Primary School

 

Description:

Goresbrook School is a fairly new school located in Barking and Dagenham, we are an all through school from nursery to 6th form. In the primary phase we are mostly a 2-form entry school with 3 forms in years 5 and 6. We are a diverse and inclusive school; we recognise the traumas our young people have faced and continue to face. Currently our lovely young people are supported by our wonderful Thrive practitioners and ELSAs, however some of our children would greatly benefit from the support of a play therapist. In return for your time and support, we can offer you a warm welcome to our friendly team, unlimited tea, coffee and support and a welcoming space in our state-of-the-art building.

 

Placement location:

Goresbrook School, Cook Road, Dagenham, RM9 6XW

 

Contact information:

Anne Smith

0203 597 6666

anne.smith@goresbrookschool.org.uk

 

Website:

www.goresbrookschool.org.uk

 

How to apply:

Please contact Anne Smith for further information and to arrange a visit to the school.

Mid Tendring Education Partnership, Colchester & Tendring in Essex (Suitable for Qualified Play Therapists only)

A group of 12 schools who work collaboratively to support the needs of children and families across Colchester & Tendring in Essex.

MTEP provides an early intervention therapeutic team that has been commissioned by Head Teachers across Mid Tendring in response to the identified needs of their parents, children, and staff for holistic early intervention support. Overwhelming compelling evidence shows that early intervention for families can strengthen parental skills, capacity, improve relationships and emotional wellbeing and contribute to raising attendance and attainment.

Our shared objective & collective responsibility is to work together to provide holistic support for our children & families to improve emotional wellbeing outcomes and enable their full potential to be achieved.

Currently children and families can access a range of support services including, Family Support, Social Workers, BACP Counsellors, Art Therapists, Clinical Child Psychotherapist, Psychologists, Play Therapists and Theraplay Therapists, and we are now keen to extend our provision to include Placement Play Therapists.

 

By choosing MTEP as your placement option, you will have access to working in one or more schools across a large geographical area, and the benefit of being part of a long established and successful team of therapists and specialists. MTEP is also able to offer Freelance paid working opportunities upon completion of training for interested candidates.

If you would like to carry out your placement with us, or require further information please contact:

Liz Pickford

Mid Tendring Education Partnership

Telephone: 07944 333685

Email: liz.pickford@brightlingsea.essex.sch.uk

https://www.brightlingsea.essex.sch.uk/

Scargill Infant School, Essex, Rainham (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Scargill Infant School is a 3 form entry school in the London Borough of Havering. Our ethos is to educate, empower and enable all children in our inclusive school to succeed to the best of their ability. We have an increasing number of children who require emotional support and interventions.

These children find it hard to communicate their thoughts and feelings and we feel that play therapy will support them to do this. We feel that the child led activities would help these children to become confident learners and would help them to make sense of the world around them. We employ several home and school support workers, one of which is interested in being a trained play therapist.

Therefore we would be delighted if there are any play therapists that would like to come and support our children in being successful learners.

If you would like to carry out your placement at our school please contact:

Amber Gillham Scargill
Infant School
Mungo Park Road
Rainham RM13 7PL

Telephone: 01708 555707
Email: abignold.311@lgflmail.org

St Luke’s C of E Primary School, Essex, Colchester (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

St Luke’s C of E Primary School is a one and a half form entry school in on the outskirts of Colchester, Essex with 300 children on roll. St Luke’s ethos is one that is committed to addressing the emotional wellbeing of our  pupils We have an increasing number of children and families coming into our school that require support and interventions, play therapy being one of the most successful interventions we currently offer. We employ a Family Support Worker who is a PTUK Certified play therapist and would be delighted to offer trainees a placement experience.

The school has a fully equipped room for play therapy to take place in with a good range of materials and elements of the PTUK approved toolkit. Our Headteacher and senior leadership team fully value the role of the play therapist and believe in the ethos of non-directive, child led play to assist children in communicating their thoughts and feelings in a non-judgemental accepting environment.

If you would like to carry out your placement in our school or require any further information then please contact:

Sarah Lewis
St Lukes Primary School
Church Rd
Tiptree
Colchester
CO5 0SU

Tel: 01621 815456
Email: sarah.lewis@stlukeschurch-cp.essex.sch.uk

Tendring Families First, Colchester & Tendring (Suitable for Qualified Play Therapist or PG Certificate & Diploma level students)

Description:

Tendring Families First is a local Charity supporting the needs of children and families across a group of 12 Schools in Colchester & Tendring in Essex.

Tendring Families First provides an early intervention therapeutic team which responds to the identified needs of children and their parents, in one of the most deprived areas in England, to provide holistic, early intervention support. Overwhelming compelling evidence shows that early intervention for families can strengthen parental skills, capacity, improve relationships and emotional wellbeing and contribute to raising attendance and attainment.

Our shared objective & collective responsibility is to work together to provide holistic support for our children & families to improve emotional wellbeing outcomes and enable their full potential to be achieved.

Currently children and families can access a range of support services including, Family Support, Social Workers, BACP Counsellors, Art Therapists, Clinical Child Psychotherapist, Psychologists, Play Therapists and Theraplay Therapists, and we are now keen to extend our provision to include Placement Play Therapists.

By choosing Tendring Families First as your placement option, you will have access to working in one or more schools across a large geographical area, and the benefit of being part of a long established and successful team of therapists and specialists. Tendring Families First is also able to offer Freelance paid working opportunities upon completion of training for interested candidates.

 Placement Location/s:

12 Schools Across Colchester & Tendring

Contact Details

Main contact: Liz Pickford

 Telephone:

07944 333685

 Email:

liz.pickford@brightlingsea.essex.sch.uk

 Website:

www.tendringfamiliesfirst.org

How to apply: (if applicable – Delete if not required)

 If you would like to carry out your placement with us, or require further information please contact:

Liz Pickford – CEO

Telephone: 07944 333685

Email: liz.pickford@brightlingsea.essex.sch.uk

Ireland

Laois Play Therapy, Dublin, Tullamore (Suitable for qualified Play Therapists only)

Laois Play Therapy is a private registered Play Therapy practise in the Inspiring Minds centre Portlaoise. The setting is shared with Bright Sparks learning centre. We have two Play Therapy rooms, both fully equipped. We offer one on one or group therapy sessions for children aged between 3 to 12 years.

This is the perfect opportunity for Trainees to begin to develop their work as a Play Therapist with the potential for employment after completion of training.

Laois has become a commuter town for Tullamore, Dublin, Kildare and more surrounding towns. The town of Portlaoise is growing bigger and bigger and the referrals are rising at a fast rate.

Our therapy sessions normally take place after school hours between half 1 and 7. There is possibility for earlier sessions and Saturdays.

Contact details laoisplaytherapy@gmail.com – or call 0877063347

Kent

Caboodle Play Therapy, Medway (Suitable for Qualified Play Therapists only)

We have a  number of primary schools in Medway and Kent who are able to provide a placement opportunity for Certificate Trainees.

The areas are:

ME1

ME9

ME12

 

Contact information:

Emma McGregor-Davies

caboodleplaytherapy@gmail.com

Website:

www.caboodleplaytherapy.com

Jigsaw Play Therapy, Kent, Shorne (Suitable for Cert and Diploma Trainees only)

Jigsaw Play Therapy Ltd

12 The Street, Shorne, Kent, DA12 3EA

Placements for Cert and Diploma Trainees

Contact clinical@jigsawplaytherapy.com

Langafel Church of England Primary School, Kent (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Description of provider/placement opportunity:

Langafel is a Church of England Primary School set in the semi-rural village of Longfield with links to the A2/M2 and the M25.  We have around 320 pupils from 4 to 11 years, of which 30 are placed in our Autism provision, SLIC.  As a school we have adopted The Thrive Approach school, we are on the pathway to becoming a Nurture School, offer Forest School and are pursuing OPAL status.  We also have a part time counsellor who works in a dedicated counselling room on a Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

Contact information:

Main contact:

Claire Holmes

Contact email:

cholmes@langafel.kent.sch.uk

Website:

https://www.langafel.kent.sch.uk/

Placement location:

Longfield, Kent

How to apply:

(if applicable) In the first instance please contact Claire Holmes is happy to discuss further details and will provide an application form.

Rivermead Inclusive Trust - Medway (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Our Multi-Academy Trust consists of Primary and secondary schools, both mainstream schools and Specialist. We have a dynamic therapy team and have experience of successfully supporting placements (including trainee Play Therapists). We are able to provide placements which meet the requirements of the PTUK course.

 

Placement Location/s:

Variety of Mainstream and Specialist schools across Medway (ME3, ME5, ME7 and ME8).

 

Contact information:

Felicity Baker. Project Lead/Accredited Play Therapist

Website:

https://www.rivermeadinclusivetrust.co.uk/

How to apply:

Send an expression of interest email or call Felicity Baker. Please title the email Play Therapy Placements.

projects@rivermeadinclusivetrust.org or call 07798887662

London

Allenby Primary School - Southall (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Name of Provider: Allenby Primary School – Southall

Short Description of provider/placement opportunity:

Allenby is a small, caring community where individuals are valued and achieve self-esteem through success. The school would be able to facilitate a certificate and/or a diploma student with a private room for play therapy. The staff are familiar with the SDQ and the SENCO / Headteacher are both familiar with the referral process as they have a play therapist come into school for one day a week. The play therapist is able to support a student in this placement, the student would have to provide their own kit, but this can be stored at the school. The school has a range of different pupils that would really benefit from the support of a trainee play therapist.

Placement location:

Allenby Primary School
Allenby Road
Southall
UB1 2HX

Contact information:

Please contact the office, who can redirect you to the headteacher, David Hickman.

admin@allenby.ealing.sch.uk

02085786636

Website: https://www.northprimary.co.uk/

How to apply:    Please contact the school office, who can redirect you to the headteacher or to the play therapist who works one day a week at the school, she can help answer any questions.

All Saint’s Blackheath , Lewisham, London (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

All Saint’s Blackheath Play therapy placement

We are a one form entry Church of England Primary school in Lewisham. We are committed to addressing the emotional well-being of our pupils. We have valued the contribution made by trainee play therapists to our school community and are looking for Trainee Counsellors and Therapists to join our new therapeutic service. We have a quiet room available and will undertake to provide suitable resources as agree with the therapist. We can offer long term and short term clients from the ages of four to eleven. Visits are warmly welcome.

Address:
– Blackheath Vale, Lewisham. SE3 0TX

For more information contact: 0208 852 6136

– Lis Watson Inclusion Manager
– Debbie Tompkins Headteacher

Cranborne Primary School, Hertfordshire, Potters Bar (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Located in the lovely rural setting of Potters Bar, our school is larger than average with just over 400 pupils aged between three and eleven. The majority of pupils are White British. The proportion of pupil premium children and those with SEND are below average.

We are a two form entry school, incorporating a nursery. Rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted with ‘Outstanding’ leadership and ‘exemplary’ behaviour. We are known for our positive atmosphere and strive to provide strong support for pupils/families whose circumstances make them vulnerable.

We work in partnership with parents to ensure our children succeed and leave us confident and ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow.

Suitable for Diploma student.

Contact the Head Teacher, J. Jhugroo, via email at  jjhugroo@cranborne.herts.sch.uk.

DVIP Domestic Violence Intervention Project - Stephen’s Place, London (Suitable for Qualified Play Therapists with Trauma training only)

CHILD THERAPY PLACEMENT AVAILABLE

For Qualified Child Therapists

or

Trainee Play Therapists, Art Therapists, Counselling Psychologists, Child Psychotherapists

Year of Training: Penultimate or final year trainees/graduate therapists looking for an opportunity to broaden their experiences or those would like to specialize in the field of domestic violence and abuse

Nature of Work: Individual Child therapy – up to 4 clients per day

Client Group: Children 3 years to 17 years affected by domestic abuse and other forms of violence/ abuse/trauma

Therapeutic Model: Child-Centred Play Therapy/Holistic Integrative/ Psychodynamic

Time Commitment: 1-2 placement days

In house supervision: DVIP will provide 2 hours of fortnightly in-house group supervision (equivalent to 1.5 hrs. per month supervision) free of charge by a UKCP/ PTUK Registered Psychotherapist/Clinical Supervisor.

Trainees’ will be responsible to pay any additional supervision costs for top-up needs.

Regular and punctual attendance to group supervision is mandatory. If unable to attend the allocated group supervision times, trainees will be responsible to make up the hours through individual supervision at their own costs.

Due to the nature of the client group, the trainees/therapists are required to use our in-house supervisor only in order to maintain good service practice.

Settings: DVIP Child Therapy Service is based in Highbury and Islington.

We also have outreach therapy services based in children’s centres and schools in Kensington, Westminster and Chelsea, Hounslow, Hillingdon and Hammersmith and Fulham.

The placement setting will be confirmed at a later date.  We will try our best to put you in a preferred location however candidates need to be prepared to work in any location.

Other Learning Opportunities: Possibility to observe and participate in assessments, gain an in depth experience of working with the dynamics of domestic abuse and issues relating to child abuse and children’s safeguarding.

Access to E-learning modules such as Safeguarding, Equality and Diversity and Data Security.

Job opportunities: We offer possible paid employment opportunities after the trainees have completed their placements and have demonstrated satisfactory job performance, subject to DVIP recruitment policies and funding availability.

Contact:

Please email a CV & covering letter to victoria.royds@richmondfellowship.org.uk

Fern House School, Enfield, London (Suitable for PG Diploma level students only)

At Fern House School, we pride ourselves on providing young people with opportunities to develop an increased understanding of themselves, their relationships with others and the world around them.

As an all-through specialist provision for pupils aged 7-16 with social, emotional, mental health needs (SEMH), we provide personalised learning within safe, nurturing and stimulating environments. We seek to unlock the potential in every child.

Everything we do can be simply defined by our school motto: Relationship for the Heart, Experience for the Mind, Ready for the Future.

Please contact Amutha Rasapalan, Therapy Lead

amutha.rasapalan@fernhouseschool.org

Tel 01992 760860

Foxfield Primary School (Woolwich), Greater London, Woolwich (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Foxfield Primary School is a 3-form entry school in Woolwich, Greenwich with 720 pupils on roll. Foxfield’s ethos is one that is committed to addressing the emotional wellbeing of our pupils. We have an increasing number of children and families coming into our school that require support and interventions, play therapy being one of the most successful interventions we currently offer. We previously employed a Play therapist who is a PTUK Certified play therapist and we would be delighted to offer trainees a placement experience.

The school has a fully equipped room for play therapy to take place in with a good range of materials. Our Headteacher and senior leadership team fully value the role of the play therapist and believe in the ethos of non-directive, child led play to assist children in communicating their thoughts and feelings in a non-judgemental accepting environment.

If you would like to carry out your placement in our school or require any further information then please contact:
Rita Garcha
Foxfield Primary School
Woolwich SE18 7EX
Telephone Number: 0203 260 7500
Email: rgarcha@foxfield.greenwich.sch.uk

John Ball Primary School - Therapeutic Service, London, Blackheath (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

We are looking for Trainee Counsellors and Therapists to join our new therapeutic service. We have a designated stocked therapy room and can offer long term and short term clients from the ages of four to eleven.  We have good links with local secondary schools and can arrange adolescent hours if required.

Address: John Ball Primary School, 20 Southvale Rd, Blackheath, London SE3 0TP
Availability: We have availability Monday to Thursday, full days (8am to 3pm) or half days
Contact:  Anthony White (Learning Mentor) – awhite112.209@lgflmail.org

North Primary School, Southall (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Name of Provider: North Primary School, Southall

North Primary is a two form entry primary school in Southall. With approximately 400 students on
roll. We have a significant number of children who have a range of different needs. We have a
waiting list of children who we think would benefit from the support. Our staff and team are familiar
with completing SDQ’s and meeting with a play therapist. We have a play therapy room that is fully
equipped and can be used on wednesdays or fridays as our play therapist works at a different
school on these days. This is a good opportunity for a trainee of either certificate or diploma level
to have the support of another therapist who is also completing the training, has the knowledge on
how the training runs and can support the trainee in placement.

Placement location:
North Primary School, Meadow Road, Southall, UB1 2JE

Contact information:
Please contact our office who can direct you to either the headteacher or play therapist at the
school.
admin@north.ealing.sch.uk
020 8571 7749

Website:

https://www.northprimary.co.uk/

How to apply:

Please contact the school office who will direct you to either the head
teacher or play therapist at the school. Denva (Trainee Play Therapist & Therapeutic
Play Practitioner) will be happy to answer any questions about the school /
placement.
admin@north.ealing.sch.uk
02085717749

Oasis Charitable Trust, London (Suitable for Qualified Play Therapists only)

Name of Provider: Oasis Charitable Trust

Oasis Nurture is a therapeutic project providing a wide range of services to children in a primary school in Waterloo, central London. Some of the pupils and their families are exceptionally deprived. We are providing a comprehensive wraparound package of care which includes art therapy, social work, legal advocacy, psychotherapy, and the provision of necessary goods in order to enhance their resilience and wellbeing.

 

Placement location:  Oasis Academy Johanna, Johanna St, Lower Marsh, London SE1 7RH

 

Contact information:

Rod Tweedy (Oasis Nurture Project Administrator)

Email: Rod.Tweedy@oasisnurture.org

 

Website: https://www.oasisacademyjohanna.org 

 

How to apply:

Please simply send a CV and a covering letter explaining what you’d like to get out of the placement and any course requirements to Rod Tweedy, the Oasis Nurture Project Administrator, at Rod.Tweedy@oasisnurture.org

Rochelle Rajan, Various community projects

I am a Project lead and Head of therapy for a community project which provides Play Therapy interventions to local schools and extended organisations.

Placement location:

South West London and Surrey

Contact information:

rochelle@apac.org.uk.

How to apply:

Please send an e-mail to the above address

SS Peter & Paul Catholic School, London, Mitcham (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

SS Peter and Paul Primary School is a two form entry Primary School in Mitcham situated with the London Borough of Merton, with good transport links into London and Surrey via tram and bus.   There are currently 465 pupils are on roll, from Nursery through to Year 6.   We are committed to addressing the emotional needs of our pupils and enhancing the well-being and resilience of pupils.   This academic year we have 3 ELSAs working with individual pupils and a team of 6 learning mentors, working with small groups.   We are would be delighted to offer trainees, a placement experience.   The school has two designated nurture spaces that is suitable for play therapy and we are able to provide a good range of materials and elements of the PTUK approved toolkit. Our Head teacher, Assistant Head teachers, along with the whole school community fully value the role of a play therapist and believe in the ethos of non-directive, child led play to assist children in communicating their thoughts and feelings in a non-judgemental accepting environment.

If you would like to carry out your placement in our school or require any further information then please contact

– Penny Bermingham – Assistant Head Teacher for Inclusion sbermingham@sspp.merton.sch.uk
– Gillian Boyd – Assistant Head for Pastoral and Safeguarding.  gboyd@sspp.merton.sch.uk

Uxendon Manor Primary School, Harrow, London (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Uxendon Manor Primary School in London Borough of Brent has a fully equipped play therapy room available as one therapist has left. The SENCO has a certificate in therapeutic play skills and 35 years experience. We are able to offer both certificate and diploma placements.

Contact information: Uxendon Manor Primary School, Vista Way, Kenton, Harrow, HA3 0UX

Main contact: Mrs C Soteriou- Inclusion Leader

Contact email: inclusion@uxendonmanor.com

Website: https://www.uxendonmanor.com

Placement location: North west London

Whole Child Therapy, Lewisham, London (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Whole Child Therapy is a multi-disciplinary therapy clinic in Lewisham, London, SE13.  We are a team of Play Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists who work dynamically using an interdisciplinary model to provide holistic packages of support for families

The Placement

We work closely with a Community Special School in London, SE6 who want to provide group and 1:1 Play Therapy to improve the mental health of their pupils.  The school is for children and young people between the ages of 11 and 19 years old who have significant learning difficulties, a diagnosis of autism, complex needs and/or additional medical/physical/sensory disabilities.

 

What we are looking for

Whole Child Therapy is looking for a Diploma level Play Therapy Student who:

  • has some knowledge and experience of working with children and young people with learning disabilities, complex needs and/or an autism diagnosis
  • can spend one full day a week in the school, starting as soon as possible
  • is interested in working dynamically with other therapeutic disciplines
  • is committed to continued professional development and is willing to undergo additional training as needed

 

What we are offering

Whole Child Therapy are committed to the support and success of the Diploma student

  • All clinical supervision costs covered. Clinical Supervision will be either in the London, SE13 or SE18
  • Line management and support throughout your placement
  • Access to support and guidance from other therapeutic disciplines as needed, including multi-disciplinary case discussions
  • Invitation to attend Whole Child Therapy in-house training

 

Contact:

To enquire about this position or to apply contact Natalie Palmer

natalie.palmer@wholechildtherapy.com

164 (a) Lee High Road
London
SE13 5PL

T: 020 3441 6810

Manchester

TPC Therapy, Cheadle, Manchester (Suitable for Qualified Therapists or PG Certificate & Diploma level students)

We are a mental health service for children and young people.  We have a wonderful team of therapists who support vulnerable children in education, care and in charities. We work closely with our therapists and support them on their journeys. We take referrals across the UK and are always looking for new therapists to join the team. We support both trainees (at diploma level) and full qualified therapists. Referrals vary and might be working for a day in a school or working for a number of sessions with a child who has been adopted. We match all of our therapists carefully to the referrals we receive, depending on their qualifications, experience, location and personality. We have a fantastic reputation and put children’s wellbeing at the core of all we do.

Contact information:
Referrals@tpctherapy.co.uk

Main contact:

Charlie Lackin – referrals manager

Contact email:

Website: www.tpctherapy.co.uk

Placement location: UK wide opportunities

  • Manchester
  • Trafford and Greater Manchester Region
  • Stockport
  • Preston
  • Wigan
  • Bolton
  • Warrington
  • Liverpool
  • Northwich
  • Crewe

How to apply:

If you are interested in working with us, please email us for more information. We will send you an application form and then there will be an interview, followed by an online induction. This process applies for students as well as qualified therapists.

Beech Hall School, Macclesfield (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Name of Provider:

Beech Hall School, Macclesfield, SK10 2EG

 

Description:

Beech Hall is a non-selective independent school for boys and girls aged 6 months to 16 years.

Small classes and a focus on the individual child mean that quality teaching and learning lead to success. We seek to provide a truly unique curriculum for every child.

 

We have a breadth of experience within our Enhanced Learning Team which you will have the opportunity to work within. As the school has an established psychotherapist the culture will respect your placement and a room can be provided for you to practice one and half-days a week (Thursday pm and Friday). As we value the importance of offering Play Practitioner Skills and Play Therapy to our clients you will have the opportunity to choose to work outside of term-time if you choose.

 

Placement location:

SK10 2EG

 

Contact information:

Caroline Peacock, PG Cert, PG Dip.

Senior Mental Health Lead

 

Website:

Home

 

How to apply:

Via email to Caroline Peacock including:

Covering letter and CV

Charnwood Nursery school and Family centre, Greater Manchester, Stockport (Suitable for PG Diploma level students only)

Charnwood nursery and family centre is a long standing ‘Outstanding’ fully inclusive resourced nursery for children aged 2-5yrs. Approximately a third of our children have complex additional needs and we are recognised both locally and nationally as a specialist centre for SEND. We have three settings within Stockport, Heaton Moor, Belmont and Lancashire Hill with the latter offering the two year old provision in significantly deprived areas of the Borough. We currently have 130 children on role across the settings with Heaton Moor being the largest. We have a large highly skilled team of staff including family workers due to the complexities of our children and the range of social and developmental need. We are committed to training and development particularly in the area of social / emotional well-being and building emotional resilience.

Contact details:

Cath Carr-Deed (Headteacher)
Charnwood Nursery school and Family centre.
St Paul’s Rd
Heaton Moor
Stockport   SK4 4RY

Tel: 01614427767

St Anne’s CE Primary School, Sale (Suitable for PG Cert & PG Dip Students)

Name of Provider: St Anne’s CE Primary School, Sale.

Description of opportunity:

St. Anne’s has a distinctive Christian ethos with close links to our church, Chester diocese and our local community. Our school is situated in Sale Moor and in the high performing borough of Trafford. The school serves a mixed intake with children from broad range of backgrounds, including some areas high deprivation but also some affluent families who within the immediate school locale.

 Placement location: (To be added to the placement map, you will need to provide a postcode. If the placement is a multiple locations you can leave the postcode blankor use one of the main locations)

 

Contact information: 0161 973 7181 – Natalie McLoughlin

St Anne’s CE Primary School, Trinity Rd, Sale, M33 3ES

 

Website: https://www.st-annes.trafford.sch.uk/

How to apply: Contact the SENCO – Natalie McLoughlin or headteacher – Polly Knight

 

 

Midlands

House on the Corner, Walsall (Suitable for Qualified Play Therapists only)

Name of Provider: House on the Corner

 

Description:We are a Counselling Service that offers both Play Therapy and Adult Counselling.

 

Placement location:

1 King Charles Avenue, Bentley, Walsall, WS2 0DL

 

Contact information: 

01922 420100

houseoncorner@yahoo.co.uk

 

Website:

https://thehouseonthecorner.info/house/Welcome.html

 

How to apply:

Please send a CV to houseoncorner@yahoo.co.uk

The Laura Centre, Leicester and Derby (Suitable for Qualified Play Therapists only)

The Laura Centre is a bereavement counselling service providing confidential counselling and holistic services to any child or young person that has been affected by the death of a parent/carer or sibling.

We are looking for volunteers or placement students who are qualified or working towards being qualified in play therapy to work therapeutically with children from 5+. We have opportunities in both our Leicester and Derby branches.

 

If you are interested in our placement, please send a CV and a covering letter to lisa@thelauracentre.org.uk.

 

Equally, if you would like more information, please feel free to get in touch.

Peterbrook primary School, Solihull (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Name of Provider:

Peterbrook Primary School

 

Description:

We now employ a Therapeutic Play Therapist one day a week following a successful placement at our school.  We have a designated room for play therapy with resources. We have a waiting list of pupils who would benefit from play therapy and need to increase our capacity in a cost effective way.  Our staff are familiar with completing SDQs and

 

Placement location:

Peterbrook primary School, High Street, Solihull Lodge, Shirley, Solihull, B901HR

 

Contact information:

Mrs L Thorne (Headteacher) 0121 430 2545

s43lthorne@peterbrook.solihull.sch.uk

 

Website:

peterbrookschool.com

 

How to apply:

Email the Headteacher saying why you would like a placement at Peterbrook.

Time to Talk, Nottinghamshire, Mapperley (Not suitable for trainees)

Placements available at Time to Talk, Walter Halls Primary School, Querneby Road, Mapperley, Nottingham NG3 5HS.

Tel. 0115 9606669 or contact Christy Clare via e-mail christy.clare@walterhalls.nottingham.sch.uk

The KidsAid Foundation, Peterborough & Northamptonshire (Suitable for Qualified Play Therapists with Trauma training only)

Name of Provider: The KidsAid Foundation

Description of opportunity: KidsAid are a charity working with children, young people and their families who’ve experienced trauma. This ranges from children who are looked after and adopted to children living with birth families.

Placement location: Northamptonshire and Peterborough

 Contact information:

info@kidsaid.org.uk

Website:

www.kidsaid.org.uk

 How to apply:

Please send a CV and covering letter to info@kidsaid.org.uk. We follow safer recruitment practices to safeguard our families and employees, so you will be asked to fill in an application form following receipt of your CV. If you are successful you will be invited to an informal interview.

 

Toucan for Children, Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Toucan for Children CIO provides a therapeutic service to children aged from 4-13 years.  Based in Gloucestershire we offer play and creative arts therapy at our centres in Mitcheldean and Gloucester.

A placement with Toucan will offer an opportunity for trainees to develop their clinical work within a supported setting alongside peers at different stages of training and Certified Play Therapists.

We also provide Clinical Supervision.

Further details about our service are on our website www.toucanforchildren.org

If you are considering a placement with us please contact Angie or Janice on 07526 245880.  Email: admin@toucanforchildren.co.uk

Toucan for Children, Unit 6,  The Mews,  Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire
GL17 0SL
www.toucanforchildren.org

Blue Coat Primary School, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Blue Coat School has approximately 270 children on role, from the age of 4 to 12. Whilst the majority of our children come from stable and financially secure homes, there are those who are more vulnerable in this area. In addition, many of our children present with anxiety, particularly following the pandemic. We have over five years of experience in offering training placements to students and can offer a dedicated safe space for the sessions to be carried out, with storage space for equipment also available. We aim to support around 15 children 1:1 through therapy sessions and also run group sessions as needed.

 

Contact information:  Blue Coat Primary School, Symn Ln, Wotton-under-Edge GL12 7BD

Main contact:  Inger Metaj (Assistant Senco)

Contact email: ingermatej@bluecoat.gloucs.sch.uk

Website: https://www.bluecoatprimary.com

Placement location: Wotton Under Edge, Gloucestershire

Haslucks Green Junior School, Solihull (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Name of Provider:

Haslucks Green Junior School

 

Description of Provider/Placement:

Community Junior School  (240 pupils)

 

Placement Location:

B90 2EJ Shirley, Solihull

 

Contact Information:

0121 744 2088  FAO Helen Street (Headteacher)

 

How to apply:

Contact school and ask for Helen Street 0121 744 2088

Lumbertubs Primary, Northamptonshire, Northampton (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Lumbertubs Primary is located on the eastern district of Northampton and is in an area of high deprivation, we have been working along other agencies to build children’s resilience, wellbeing and mindfulness.

We pride ourselves on nurturing and supporting children whatever their background or culture, we have lots of experience with this, However we know that Play therapy would have a significant impact on some of our children with more complex needs. External agencies that we have worked with and continue to always comment on the empathy we have with the children and the lengths we go to in supporting them.

We would really appreciate the opportunity to work with trainee play therapists to enhance our provision and feel that we can provide the support required to trainees.

For more information please contact email Helena Georgiou.

Beyond the Horizon, Billesley (Suitable for PG Diploma level students only)

We are a well established Birmingham charity delivering one to one therapy including counselling, art therapy and play therapy to CYP in Birmingham aged 4-18 years who have suffered loss through bereavement, separation and divorce and domestic abuse.

We are looking for a play therapy student (certificate possible but diploma preferred) to deliver play therapy to CYP at locations around Birmingham.  Must be prepared to travel to where children are to deliver sessions.

 

Contact Information: 0121 444 5454 – Beyond the Horizon, Holy Cross Church Centre, Beauchamp Rd, Billesley, B13 0NS

 

Main Contact: Ruth Wilton Therapy Services Manager

 

Contact Email: admin@beyondthehorizon.org.uk

 

Website: www.beyondthehorizon.org.uk

 

Placement location: Birmingham schools and community venues

 

How to apply:

Please email our admin team indicating your interest and we will send you an application form.

Beyond the Horizon works with a very complex range of issues affecting the children we see.  If you are applying to us for a Play Therapy certificate placement we would expect you to have had significant previous experience of working with children and families, particularly those experiencing deprivation or complex needs.

Oundle CE Primary, Oundle Northamptonshire (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

We are a two-form entry, large primary school in Oundle with children from Foundation Stage to Year 6. We are committed to addressing the emotional needs of our pupils and have embarked on training in both ‘Thrive’ and Attachment Awareness. We have recently started to set up a Sensory Room and we also have some smaller spaces, as well as a very large outside field. We would be delighted to offer trainees a placement at our school and will consider some paid work after. If you would like to carry out your placement with us, would like further information or chance to visit us.

Please contact:

– Headteacher: Janet McMurdo ( jmcmurdo@oundleceprimary.co.uk)
– Inclusion Manager: Amanda Cross ( across@oundleceprimary.co.uk)
– Or contact the school 01832 272392

North East

Durham Schools Counselling Service, Durham (Suitable for Qualified Play Therapists only)

Durham Schools’ Counselling Service can now offer a small number of placements to students who are undertaking training with PTUK at either the Certificate or Diploma level.

As a volunteer trainee Therapeutic Play Practitioner or Play Therapist you would have the opportunity to deliver 1:1 Therapeutic Play or 1:1 Play Therapy sessions to children at primary schools across County Durham.

We understand that once a placement is identified and agreed you will need some autonomy in setting up the placement to meet PTUK and course requirements.

Your commitment to the post is essential in ensuring that the children, families, and schools we work with receive a safe and appropriate service. We ask that you commit to the placement for a full academic year.  We will provide you with:

  • Professional supervision with our trainee PTUK Clinical Supervisor plus opportunities to work alongside experienced counsellors.
  • Induction support
  • Flexible access to professional development and training
  • Opportunities to work alongside colleagues in the wider Emotional Wellbeing and Effective Learning Team, which includes Educational Psychologists, Specialist Advisory Teachers, and a range of Specialist Support Staff.

This is an exciting opportunity for professional development within a well-established school counselling service which offers support to children and young people within a multi-agency context. Access to transport is essential.

Contact Information:

For further information and/or an informal chat, please contact Christine.toas@durham.gov.uk telephone  07717300508 (Acting Line Manager) or shirley.apperley@durham.gov.uk  telephone 07585403156 (PTUK Qualified Therapist and Trainee Clinical Supervisor)

Website: Durham school counselling service (durhamcommercialservices.co.uk)

Placement location: Durham

How to apply:

To apply please contact; Christine.toas@durham.gov.uk and you will be sent an application form.

North West

Catch22, Merseyside, Wallasey (Suitable for Qualified Play Therapists only)

Catch22 is a national charity operating locally in the Wirral working under the Troubled Families Agenda. Our family support service offers intensive support to families across the Wirral who are experiencing difficulties including unemployment, anti-social behaviour and education issues. In addition to this we support young people who have witnessed domestic violence, family breakdown, substance misuse and mental health issues – as well as a many other issues.

Our staff team consists of Key Workers, a Drug and Alcohol worker, an IAPT worker, as well as student Social Workers and student Play Therapists.

We are looking to recruit PTUK trainee Play Therapists whom we can support through a placement offering them support and suitable service users.

Contact: Mark Woodbridge
Email: Mark.Woodbridge@catch-22.org.uk
Address: Solar Campus, 235 Leasowe Road, Wallasey, CH45 8RE
Tel: 0151 637 6078
Mobile: 07879 691419

Child Action Northwest, Lancashire, Blackburn (Suitable for PG Diploma level students only)

At CANW we are extremely proud of our innovative portfolio of services designed to support children and young people, families and communities. We passionately believe that every individual has the right to achieve their full potential whatever their background of circumstance.

CANW work in partnership with Lancashire County Council and commissioned schools, and cover a wide geographical area which includes Blackburn with Darwen, Salford, Lancashire, and Cumbria so can offer placements to students in various localities. The majority of our 1-1 work is facilitated in schools or local community venues such as children’s centres and youth zones,  we are a busy service and receive over 2,000 referrals per year, working with children and young people aged between 4 and 16 years, with a significant proportion of our work in the 8-11 year age groups. The average waiting time for support and intervention at CANW is 1-4 weeks and we are able to offer support for a child/young person for up to 12 months, enabling a high standard of support.

By choosing CANW as your placement option, you would have wide access to geographical areas, presentations of issues, regular casefile and clinical supervision, access to training, be part of a dynamic team and gain invaluable experience and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and young people.

As a student at CANW you will be expected:

  • To work with children and young people on a one to one and/or group work basis to identify, assess and explore any emotional/mental health and well-being issues.
  • To offer a range of therapeutic interventions to children and young people to enable and empower them to becoming fully capable of fulfilling their own potential for growth.
  • To identify appropriate intervention / support strategies for, children and young people based on their assessed emotional/mental health and well-being needs.
  • To work in partnership with others, to support and enable children and young people to achieve emotional health and well-being.
  • To co facilitate workshops in schools to educate and support around mental health issues.

For more information or for an application form please contact: 01254 244 700 or email: humanresources@canw.org.uk

Listening Ear (Merseyside), Merseyside, Whiston (Suitable for Qualified Play Therapists only)

Listening Ear is a BACP Accredited charity based in Merseyside with over 20 years of experience of providing counselling and therapeutic support to children, young people and adults.

At our centre at Whiston in Knowsley we specialise in supporting children aged 4 to 15 years through Butterflies, a well-established activity-based therapy service for young people experiencing bereavement (which can include murder, manslaughter and suicide) and loss (which can include divorce, separation, domestic abuse, children looked after / on the edge of care and parent in prison).

Butterflies draws on Listening Ear’s knowledge of different forms of counselling and translates this to an age-appropriate service.

Our Whiston centre is a busy environment and we can offer a significant number of client referrals who are suitable for play therapy. We plan to dedicate one of our counselling rooms at Whiston to play therapy and to equip it to meet the Play Therapy UK guidelines.

Placement students should apply to Listening Ear via our established volunteer application and interview processes.

Address:
– St Nicholas Centre, 70 Church Road, Halewood, Liverpool, L26 6LB
And
– 174 Dragon Lane, Whiston, Merseyside, L35 3QY

Contact Details:
– Email: enquiries@listening-ear.co.uk
– Tel: 0151 488 6648

Scotland

Bent Primary School - South Lanarkshire, Kirkmuirhill/Boghead (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Bent Primary is situated within South Lanarkshire. South Lanarkshire Council is the fifth largest authority in Scotland.    Bent Primary is part of the Lesmahagow Learning Community which encompasses Lesmahagow High School, Blackwood Primary, Coalburn Primary, Milton Primary and Woodpark Primary.   Bent Primary School is located in the Kirkmuirhill/Boghead areas of Lesmahagow.  The original school dates back to the late eighteen hundreds and on the 10th May 2012, we moved in to our beautiful and new purpose built school.

Our school roll at present is 50. The school has 4 classrooms, a general purpose area and library, a dining room/gymnasium/assembly hall and an external teaching area.    In Bent Primary our vision, in partnership with parents and the wider community, is to provide excellent educational experiences to enable all learners to reach their full potential within a safe, happy and caring environment.Our values are; Honest, Respectful, Happy, Polite, Confident and Hard-working.

Mrs Fleming (Head Teacher)
Tel: 01555 892303
Email: gw14bentpsht@glow.sch.uk

South West

Salisbury Women’s Refuge, Wiltshire, Salisbury (Suitable for Qualified Play Therapists with Trauma training only)

Women’s Refuge is a family refuge in Wiltshire providing support and accommodation to women and children who have fled domestic abuse. Our mission is “To provide a safe haven for women and children who experience domestic abuse and support them in leading an independent life.”

We are specialists in supporting clients who have suffered all forms of domestic abuse including honour based violence and forced marriage.

We work with our clients to provide them with the tools that they need to live their lives free from the fear of domestic abuse and work to alleviate the lasting effects of domestic abuse on each member of the family.

Our works centers on safety planning, empowerment and emotional recovery in addition to practical skills such as money management, housing, education, health and wellbeing and alcohol and substance misuse recovery.

We have a team of dedicated and experienced key-working support staff who work with clients in a person centred approach to ensure that a tailored support plan is devised for every client who stays with us. We also have a dedicated play worker in addition to counsellors and partners who work with us to provide support for the children who are accommodated with us.

We are looking for a voluntary trainee therapist on the Post Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills and would like to offer a placement of 100 hours. Due to our presently restricted funding, we are not able to meet clinical supervision fees but we are able to offer a placement in a friendly and dynamic environment.

We are also able to offer comprehensive training in the domestic abuse arena. We would love to hear from you if you would like to find out more about working in a challenging and rewarding environment. Please do contact us via email on w.refuge@tiscali.co.uk.

Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust, Devon (Suitable for PG Diploma level students only)

Description of provider:

The Dartmoor Multi Academy trust is a collection of  16 primary schools closely located across West Devon, 3 Colleges and FE providers and an SEMH all through school. We work with parents and children aged 2-18yrs. We are on a journey to becoming a trauma informed and relational trust. The school would be able to facilitate a certificate and/or a diploma student with a private room for play therapy.

We are unable to pay for any clinical supervision but can provide extensive line management supervision. The student would have to provide their own kit, but this can be stored at any of the schools. The trust has a wide variety of placement opportunities across our schools. We work alongside children and young people with varying mental health and trauma needs.

Placement location: (To be added to the placement map, you will need to provide a postcode. If the placement is a multiple locations you can leave the postcode blankor use one of the main locations)

Placements are across West Devon but coordinated from The Promise School (SEMH) EX20 1GH.

 Contact information: Contact Emily Evely, Trauma Trust Lead, on  07761040535

 Website: Education for all local children | Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust (dartmoormat.org.uk)

 How to apply: Send an email of expression with your name, telephone number, town, village or hamlet you live in, course title, placement requirements and what you are looking for to EEvely@dmatschools.org.uk

Muscliff Primary School, Bournemouth (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Name of Provider: Muscliff Primary School

Short Description of provider/placement opportunity:  We are a team of teachers, TAs, pastoral and therapeutic staff, with a passion and commitment to support children and families with their mental health and wellbeing, alongside their education.

Our team includes an employed school counsellor and a self-employed play therapist. We have been supporting counselling and play therapy placements for over three years and have excellent relationships with those we have worked together with – each learning from each other.

All our school staff have been trained in trauma informed approaches.

We would warmly welcome play therapists who would like to join our team on placement. Please feel free to come and visit us for an informal chat.

 

Placement location:

Muscliff Primary School

Broadway Lane

Bournemouth

BH8 0AB

Contact information:

Becca Lewis, Senco – becca.lewis@muscliffprimary.co.uk

Michelle Pestridge, Counsellor – michelle.pestridge@muscliffprimary.co.uk

Website:

 www.muscliffprimary.co.uk

 

How to apply:

To find out more please contact,

Becca Lewis, Senco – becca.lewis@muscliffprimary.co.uk

Michelle Pestridge, Counsellor – michelle.pestridge@muscliffprimary.co.uk

01202 549654

 

 

Sussex

St Michael’s Primary School, Withyham (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Name of Provider:

St Michael’s Primary School, Withyham

Description:

We are a mainstream primary school with a nurture session already taking place and outside space that is in use year-round.  We are also always trying to augment play times with open ended opportunities for active play.

As well as key learning skills in English and Maths we also offer forest school sessions to every class over the course of the year

We have a dedicated room available for play therapy sessions.

Placement location:

(Please add a postcode for location so it can be added to map)

St Michael’s Primary School

Station Road

Withyham

TN7 4BP

 Contact information:

Please contact the headteacher

Catherine O’Shea (Mrs )

head@st-michaels.e-sussex.sch.uk

 

Website:

www.st-michaels.e-sussex.sch.uk

How to apply:

E-mail the head teacher who will be only to pleased, to discuss the best way forward

With You in Mind Counselling, Rustington (Suitable for qualified Play Therapists only)

Name of Provider: With You in Mind Counselling, 112 Churchill Court, Rustington, BN16 3DA

Description :

We provide counselling to support children and families with mild to moderate mental health concerns.

We work with any person aged 29 and below. Any parent or guardian. Any family.

Support with;

  • Family conflict
  • Bereavement
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Body image concerns
  • Sleep concerns
  • Parenting support

We can offer;

  • Experience working in an affordable counselling service
  • In house supervision
  • Long and short-term counselling
  • In-person and remote counselling
  • Group therapy
  • A wide range of therapeutic modalities to learn from

 Placement location: 

In Person

Remote

 

Contact information:

placements@withyouinmindcounselling.co.uk

112 Churchill Court, Rustington, BN16 3DA

  

Website:

https://withyouinmindcounselling.co.uk/

 

How to apply:

Email  info@withyouinmindcounselling.co.uk  and we will send an application form to complete and then invite you for an interview.

 

Forest Row Church of England Primary School, East Sussex (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Situated on the outskirts of the gorgeous Ashdown Forest. We are a one form entry primary school with approximately 160 lovely children on role. Our school vision drives everything we do and is the foundation on which the children develop as people and on which our new curriculum is built. Our Golden Rule:  “treat others just as you want to be treated “ (Luke 6:31) is not just represented in displays and posters but is modelled and practised throughout the school. Of course, there are times when children need to be reminded about making the right choice but our approach to behaviour is to be positive and ‘catch children doing something good’ rather than being overly reliant on sanctions and rewards.

Our vision is to prepare our pupils for life beyond primary school. As a church school, we prepare our children so that they grow to be loving adults who show kindness to all. We also want them to be inspired to keep learning beyond their school years and develop the resilience to be able to cope with life’s ups and downs or as we say at Forest Row, ‘life’s adventures’.

Within our community some of our children are facing challenges due to family life, the impact of COVID, friendships so the addition of a Play therapist would support them. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like further details or feel that you would be able to offer support for our lovely children.

Sarah Bullock SENCo

sbullock@forestrow.e-sussex.sch.uk

01342 823380

Wales

Ysgol Hen Felin, South Wales (Suitable for those with CCYP training)

Name of Provider: Ysgol Hen Felin [Headteacher-Mr Aron Bradley]

Description: the school supports pupils from 3-19 years old with a range of abilities/disabilities. At present we have in excess of 210 pupils, based on 2 sites, with the numbers growing termly. We have a staff team of 120.

 

Placement location: Ysgol Hen Felin, Gelligaled park, Ystrad, Rhondda, South Wales. CF41 7SZ

 

Contact information:

Mr Nigel Hendy, Deputy Headteacher.

 

Website: Ysgolhenfelin.org.uk

 

How to apply: Please contact myself on the email and/or telephone number below-

nigel.hendy@ysgolhenfelin.rctcbc.cymru

01443-431571

Yorkshire

Brinsworth Manor Junior School, Rotheram (Suitable for PG Certificate & Diploma level students only)

Name of Provider:

Brinsworth Manor Junior School

Description:

Mainstream two form entry junior school.

Higher than national average pupil premium

Higher than national average, pupils with special educational needs, partially social, emotional and mental health needs.

 

Placement location:

Brinsworth Ln, Brinsworth, Rotherham S60 5BX

 

Contact information:

r.larkin@bmj.wwpat.org

enquiries@bmj.wwpat.org

01709 828505

 

Website:

https://www.bmaj.rotherham.sch.uk/

 

How to apply:

Email/call the school to speak to the deputy head teacher/SENDCO- Rebecca Larkin

Carlton Primary Academy, Barnsley

Name of Provider: Carlton Primary Academy

Description:

 Carlton Primary Academy currently has 295 children on roll, including our nursery children. We are part of Pioneer Academies Community Trust, a Multi-Academy Trust.

Our academy believes that ‘Together we can achieve anything’. We endeavour to ‘create a culture where ALL our children fulfil their PERSONAL, SOCIAL and ACADEMIC potential in preparation for life after Carlton Primary Academy.’ The academy has a dedicated team that works hard to reach high standards in everything we do and this is further embedded through our successful relationships with parents, the local community and the other schools in Pioneer Academies Communities Trust.

We have recently had an Ofsted inspection- where our grade is now good and our Early Years is outstanding.

If you choose to come and do your placement at Carlton Primary Academy, there would be your own room/safe space available for any work with children.

We would love for you to join our committed and hardworking team.

Placement location: (To be added to the placement map, you will need to provide a postcode. If the placement is a multiple locations you can leave the postcode blankor use one of the main locations)

Fish Dam Lane, Carlton, Barnsley,  S71 3HF

Contact information: 01226722166

Website: Home | Carlton Primary Academy

 How to apply:

Email l.swallow@pioneeract.org.uk or contact Lindsay Swallow (Pupil and Family Support Manager) on 01226722166)

 

IDAS, North Yorkshire & Barnsley (Suitable for qualified play therapists whom also have completed trauma training)

Name of Provider:  IDAS

Short Description of provider/placement opportunity:

We run a small  (8 family) refuge for women and children fleeing domestic abuse together with a larger team supporting women and families in the community.  We have a dedicated playroom within the refuge.

 Placement location: 

The refuge is 5 minutes out to the west of Barnsley but for confidentiality reasons we will only provide postcode on request.

 Contact information: Jo Masheder 07860 817957 / 01226 384054

 Website: www.idas.org.uk

 How to apply:  Please contact on tel. numbers above or by email: Jo.Masheder@idas.org.uk