Senior Play Therapist

Job Title: Senior Play Therapist
Reporting to: Clinical Lead
Contract Type: 2 Year Fixed Term Contract
Contract Hours: 19.5 hours weekly / 2-3 days per week
Salary Scale Range: €63,906 - €75,247 (full time equivalent)
Annual Leave: 29 days (full time equivalent)

Purpose of the Role

The Senior Play Therapist will lead the provision of play therapy services for children aged 4–12 years with visual impairment and their siblings, supporting emotional, social, and developmental wellbeing. A significant part of the role will also involve educating professionals on play therapy, providing guidance and support for parents and gathering appropriate impact measuring tools that will assist in developing and expanding this new service. The role involves both direct therapeutic work and clinical leadership, ensuring best practice through training, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

Key Responsibilities

Therapeutic Practice

• Deliver individual and group play therapy interventions tailored to the developmental, emotional, sensory, and communication needs of children with visual impairments and their siblings.
• Design and implement therapeutic interventions that promote emotional expression, resilience, and coping strategies through accessible, sensory-based play.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments to inform therapeutic goals and intervention planning.
• Work collaboratively with families, caregivers, schools, and referring professionals to ensure holistic and person-centred support.
• Maintain accurate, confidential and up-to-date clinical records and prepare progress reports in line with organisational policies, professional standards, GDPR, and child protection requirements.
• Create outreach learning opportunities for local communities, educating others in play therapy and how to indirectly support community play settings.

Leadership and Supervision

• Contribute to service development and support the establishment of best practice standards for therapeutic work with children with visual impairments and additional needs.
• Facilitate reflective practice, mentoring, and professional support within the service as appropriate.
• Routinely gather and evaluate feedback from children, families, and stakeholders to support continuous quality improvement.
• Develop and implement appropriate outcome and impact measurement tools to evaluate therapeutic effectiveness and inform service planning.

Research, Quality & Professional Practice

• Contribute to programme evaluation, research initiatives, and evidence-informed practice within the field of play therapy and disability services.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of developments in play therapy, child development, sensory impairment, trauma-informed practice, and disability services.
• Participate in continuing professional development (CPD), supervision, and organisational learning activities.
• Ensure all practice aligns with professional ethical standards, organisational policies, and relevant legislation.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• Master’s Degree (NFQ Level 9) in Play Therapy or equivalent recognised by
• Irish Association of Play Therapy (IAPT) or
• Play Therapy Ireland (PTI).
• Minimum of 3 years’ post-qualification experience, including at least 2 years in a senior, specialist or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated experience supporting children with visual impairments and/or additional sensory, developmental, physical, or complex needs.
• Strong understanding of:
• child development,
• attachment theory,
• trauma-informed practice,
• sensory-informed approaches,
• and child-centred therapeutic practice.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, report-writing, and collaborative working skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team environment.

Desirable:

• Experience working within disability services, primary care, educational, or special education settings.
• Additional training or experience in:
• sensory integration,
• developmental play,
• accessible communication methods,
• tactile and auditory-based therapeutic approaches,
• or neurodiversity-affirming practice.
• Knowledge of:
• Irish disability services,
• Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs),
• child safeguarding legislation,
• and relevant national policy frameworks in Ireland.

Other Requirements:

• Eligible to work in Ireland
• Satisfactory Reference Checks and Garda Vetting
• Available to interview in person

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives
• Collaborative, supportive, and multidisciplinary team environment
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities

Benefits

• Competitive Salary and Benefits package
• Supportive and Collaborative Work Environment
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Bike-to-Work scheme
• On-site Parking
• Contributary Company Pension
• Wellness Programme
• Onsite Café – Staff Discount

ChildVision is an equal opportunities employer