Female* Play Therapist – Missing Link, Bristol/South Gloucestershire

SALARY: Point 22 £34,811 per annum (this will be pro rata if the role is part-time) plus benefits

CONTRACT: Fixed Term or Permanent - 2 roles available

HOURS: 37.5 hours per week

LOCATION: Bristol

CLOSING DATE: 9am Thursday 15th October 2026

INTERVIEW DATE: Monday 19th October 2026

Female* Play Therapist

We have a rewarding opportunity available for two Female Play Therapists to join our team based in Bristol. You will join us on a Fixed Term or Permanent Contract working 37.5 hours per week.  We would consider part-time roles.  In return, you will receive a competitive salary of Point 22 £34,811 per annum (this will be pro rata if the role is part-time) plus benefits.

Established in 1999, Next Link is the leading provider of domestic abuse services to women and children in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. At Next Link we are committed to providing holistic, empowering and personalised support and advocacy to women and children experiencing domestic abuse. With a focus on survivors’ safety and recovery; we believe the provision of flexible support tailored to survivors’ needs can be transforming, helping to maximise independence and self-determination so survivors can make informed choices.

In return for joining us, we will offer you:

• Up to 30 days annual leave (depending on length of service)


• 3 extra holidays including International Women’s Day


• Excellent development and training opportunities


• Employer pension contribution (minimum 5% of your gross salary)


• Mindful Employer Plus Scheme


• Cycle to Work Scheme


• Long Service Awards


• Wellness Awards


• Staff Recognition Awards


• Facility to Work from Home once fully trained

About the role:

This post will work within an integrated team within Next Link Domestic abuse services to provide therapy to safe house children and young people on an individual casework basis.

You will work with children and young people who are survivors of domestic abuse many of which will be exhibiting emotional and/or behavioural needs or who are at risk of developing such concerns.  You will work systemically and develop effective working relationships with the child and their mother / professionals, to provide advice and guidance in order to support the therapeutic process for the child/young person.

Key duties and responsibilities of our Female* Play Therapist:

• Assess referral suitability for therapy, in consultation with Children’s Manager.


• Undertake a therapeutic assessment of the emotional needs of the child/young person via 1:1 assessment sessions alongside mum in order to devise therapeutic outcomes.


• Carry out individual therapy sessions, within the agreed framework, with children/young people where there are concerns about their emotional wellbeing and/or behaviour. Group interventions may also be delivered, depending on the needs of the safe house.


• Maintain confidentiality whilst promoting the safety and welfare of the child/young person, working within Next Links policies of confidentiality and safeguarding.


• Work with Mums where appropriate and provide information, guidance and advice so families can provide appropriate and ongoing support to the client outside of the therapy room.


• Undertake regular review meetings with mums and other professionals as appropriate.


• To manage your own caseload, including organising/prioritising your workload and meeting work deadlines.


• To keep accurate client records of assessments, interventions and progress and provide statistical/ monitoring information alongside written reports on the work undertaken.


• To establish, maintain and monitor service administrative systems including client records of assessments, interventions and progress. Provide statistical/ monitoring information alongside written reports on the work undertaken in schools. This can include quarterly reports of quantitative data which also review and evaluate.


• To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding legislation and guidance and put this into practice, attending training as required.


• To take responsibility for health and safety, equal opportunities and data protection within the scope of the post. This includes taking responsibility for maintaining a safe and healthy therapy kit and therapy space in which to undertake therapy sessions and managing and reviewing equipment needs.


• To support the signposting/referral of the child/young person to other relevant services where appropriate.


• Develop education staff’s awareness of, and approach to, children and young people who are experiencing emotional distress and to advise staff on strategies to support those experiencing difficulties where appropriate.


• To work systemically e.g. develop effective working relationships with Next Link staff and other professionals. This may include attending relevant meetings/consultations and providing written reports where there is service capacity.


• Devise and deliver service specific staff development training on emotional health and wellbeing related topics in order to upskill Next Link Staff.


• To contribute to the annual self-assessment of the service and play an active role in identifying and implementing any necessary improvements.


• To undertake clinical supervision as required by the Registering Body and participate in regular line management meetings.


• To maintain registration and membership of relevant professional body (e.g. BAPT, PT UK) and adherence to said professional code of ethics and practice.


• To work flexibly according to the demands of the service and to perform such other duties, within the competence of the post holder, as may be required.


• To undertake any additional responsibilities commensurate with the grade and salary, which are considered appropriate by the Senior Services Manager.


• To have a Think Family Approach


• Champion service user empowerment and involvement of CYP


• To liaise effectively and collaboratively with all appropriate agencies relating to CYP / family welfare.

This is not an exhaustive list of your duties and outlines the general ways in which it is expected you will meet the overall requirements of this post.

What we are looking for in our ideal Female* Play Therapist:

• The ability to build rapport quickly with women, children, young people participating in the service


• The ability to work constructively with the parent/guardian and their children in order to foster their relationships


• Experience of providing support to young people and children under stress and who are vulnerable


• An understanding and awareness of the needs of women, and children of all ages who have experienced domestic abuse


• An understanding and knowledge of child protection and safeguarding and the ability to work within national, local and organisational guidelines

If you are motivated, resourceful and passionate please apply now to join us as our Play Therapist and contribute to the valuable work Next Link and its wider services, delivering hope and support to survivors of domestic violence and abuse.

How to apply:

Please  and complete the short application form.  Please submit your application by 9am Thursday 15^th October 2026.  Please do not send CVs.  Interviews will be held on Monday 19^th October 2026.

or contact us by email: [email protected]