Child & Adolescent Therapist

Kibble; Paisley; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Learning and professional development

Healthcare benefits

Cycle to Work and generous holidays

Counselling services

Job summary

Kibble is seeking a qualified psychotherapist to join the Specialist Intervention Services (SIS) team. You will deliver therapeutic services to children and young adults (5-25) who have experienced trauma, joining a multidisciplinary group with ongoing supervision and development opportunities.

The role focuses on long-term therapy in person and online, with a commitment to safeguarding and collaborative care across social workers and mental health services. Fixed-term 1 year.

Qualifications

• HCPC-registered psychotherapy qualification (play/art/integrative therapy or counselling)
• Professional registration with HCPC, BACP or equivalent
• Experience delivering both in-person and online therapy
• Desirable: 2+ years with children and young adults with complex needs

Responsibilities

• Facilitate individual therapy sessions with children/young adults in diverse settings
• Build a safe therapeutic relationship to boost confidence and emotional wellbeing
• Collaborate with the SIS team, housing staff, social workers and MH services
• Attend professionals’ meetings, contribute to risk management and document case records
• Reflect on practice with supervision and line management support

Skills

HCPC registration

Therapy experience

In-person and online therapy

Interpersonal skills

Education

HCPC-registered psychotherapist

Tools

SCM training

Job description

About Kibble

Kibble supports children and young people (aged 5-26) who have experienced trauma and adversity through residential care, education and mental health services. For more than 200 years, we’ve put young people first and have built a trusted charity with vital services that strive to transform lives, families and communities.

When starting a new job at Kibble, you’ll become part of a dedicated staff team who make sure children are happy and safe 365 days a year, 24/7. Whether your role is in care, education, or the corporate side, you’ll help give young people a chance at life.

Therapist Post

This is an exciting opportunity for a therapist to join our Specialist Intervention Services (SIS) team. We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic, and motivated professional who will play a key role in the delivery of therapeutic services to children & young adults (5-25) who have experienced childhood trauma and adversity. You would be joining an established multi-disciplinary team which has continued to grow and expand over the last 20 years.

The service brings together forensic psychologists, systemic family practitioners, and therapists specialising in integrative, play, art, and counselling therapies. We are committed to ongoing professional development, and every team member receives regular internal or external clinical supervision.

What’s so special about working in SIS?

“Being able to offer longer-term therapy in person at a pace that works for young people …and not being restricted to just 6 or 12 sessions…is definitely a benefit to working in SIS…” (Therapist – 20 years with SIS)

“Working with colleagues from a range of different disciplines is another advantage…we have art therapists, play therapists, counsellors, psychologists, family therapists...there’s a huge amount of experience in the team. Everyone is really approachable, we are always learning something from each other, and this fundamentally benefits the young people and families who access our service…” (Play Therapist – 10 years with SIS)

“It’s a job with lots of diversity and lots of variety. We support children, teenagers, young adults and families who experience a range of challenges in their life, so no two days are ever the same…” (Art Therapist - 9 years with SIS)

Main Responsibilities:

• The role will involve facilitating individual therapy sessions with children/young adults across a range of different residential and community settings.
• Creating a safe environment and building a strong therapeutic relationship where a young person can openly discuss their experiences. Over time this should allow them to build confidence, raise self-esteem, improve emotional wellbeing and resilience.
• The role may involve working closely with the team around the young person. This includes the wider SIS team, residential & housing support staff, Social Workers, Child and Adult Mental Health Services and anyone who has a role to enhance the emotional and psychological well-being of our young people.
• You will be expected to attend professionals’ meetings, contribute to risk management and safety meetings, keep accurate case records, write reports, and evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.
• You should have the capacity to reflect on your own practice, whilst working in an emotionally challenging environment, using external clinical supervision and line management supervision to further develop within the role.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

• The post holder will hold a psychotherapist qualification recognised by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This could include play therapy, art therapy, integrative therapy, counselling or equivalent.
• Professional registration with HCPC, BACP or other relevant regulatory body.
• Experience of providing both in person and online therapy sessions.
• A minimum 2 years’ experience of working with children under 12 & young adults with complex needs is desirable.
• Experience of supporting adolescents and young adults who care experienced is desirable.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and a keenness to develop your practise.
• The post holder will have patience, and respond positively and calmly to physical and verbal aggression
• Excellent interpersonal and listening skills and be able to communicate clearly and precisely orally and in writing both within the Centre and with external agencies.
• Work unsupervised and on own initiative.

Position is Fixed term 1 year

Safe Crisis Training (SCM)

Successful candidates will require a level of fitness to be able to carry out SCM. Please see note section below (4) for further information.

Notes

1. This job outline reflects the main tasks and responsibilities discharged by the post holder at the present time, however, Kibble reserves the right to alter or amend the content of this job outline to reflect changes to the job or services provided, while maintaining the overall character and level of responsibility for the post.
2. Notwithstanding any information or statement described within this job outline, all duties must be carried out in a way that promotes equality of opportunity, dignity and respect for all individuals and which is consistent with Kibble’s stated policy on equal opportunities.
3. The successful candidate will be subject to PVG Scheme Membership. Having previous convictions will not automatically disbar you from working at Kibble (with the exception of offences against children or other vulnerable groups) and every case is taken on an individual basis.
4. The successful candidate will be required to undertake Safe Crisis Management (SCM) training and will require a level of fitness to be able to carry out SCM. The successful candidate must be able to participate fully in this training and be prepared to put this training into practice. The SCM training will consist of two days theory and two days physical training. The successful candidate must complete this training in full within four weeks of an agreed start date. Should the candidate for any reason fail any aspect of the SCM training (theory, physical or both parts), an additional two weeks will be given to pass.
5. Appointments will be subject to a three month probationary period.

Staff Benefits at Kibble

• Learning continues with opportunities for further training, job variety and funded study
• Healthcare significantly contributes to expenses such as dental treatments, new glasses and contact lenses
• Money off shopping and events from Blue Light Card, Costco and other partners
• Discounts are available for childcare through Puddle Lane children’s nursery
• Immediate access to confidential counselling helps you prioritise self-care
• Wellbeing perks continue with Cycle to Work and generous holidays

Closing Date:

Friday 6th November 2026

Interviews:

Week commencing 16th November 2026