Children's Counsellor/Play Therapist

North East Ambition; North Shields; On-site; GBP 24,797 - 30,308; Full time

Job summary

North East Ambition is seeking a qualified and empathetic counsellor or play therapist to deliver flexible support to children and young people in North Tyneside. You’ll provide one-to-one counselling and emotional support, empowering children to overcome trauma and build resilience.

Based mainly at our North Shields head office and therapy centre, with outreach work in schools and community settings, the role requires a diploma in counselling or play therapy, registration with a professional

Qualifications

• Diploma in counselling or play therapy is required.
• Registration with a professional body (e.g. BACP, PTUK) is required.
• Experience supporting children and families affected by trauma is preferred.
• Strong understanding of child protection and confidentiality is essential.

Responsibilities

• Deliver therapeutic interventions at the head office and therapy centre in North Shields, and in outreach settings in schools and community settings.
• Develop personalised support plans and carry out risk assessments.
• Work collaboratively with professionals from social care, health, and education.
• Promote safeguarding, wellbeing and rights of children and young people.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to service development.

Skills

Counselling

Empathy

Trauma support

Confidentiality

Team collaboration

Education

Diploma in counselling or play therapy

Job description

Location: Office-based in North Shields, with some possible Outreach work in North Tyneside.

Responsible to: Recovery Team Coordinator

Hours: 30-37 hours per week

Salary: £27,553+ per annum (pro rata for part-time hours)

Contract: Permanent

About the Role

We are seeking a qualified and empathetic counsellor or play therapist to deliver flexible support to children and young people in North Tyneside. You’ll provide one-to-one counselling and emotional support, empowering children to overcome trauma and build resilience.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver therapeutic interventions at our head office and therapy centre in North Shields, and in outreach settings in schools and community settings.
• Develop personalised support plans and carry out risk assessments.
• Work collaboratively with professionals from social care, health, and education.
• Promote the safeguarding, wellbeing, and rights of children and young people.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to service development.

About You

We’re looking for someone with:

• A diploma in counselling or play therapy (or equivalent)
• Registration with a professional body (e.g. BACP, PTUK)
• Experience supporting children and families affected by trauma
• Strong understanding of child protection and confidentiality

Knowledge of child development and domestic abuse, experience in multi-agency working and skills in group work and analytical report writing are desirable, but not essential. Please note, that an enhanced DBS check will be required.

Why Join Us?

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a compassionate, impact-driven team. You’ll enjoy flexible working arrangements and autonomy in your role, opportunities for professional development and training, a supportive environment, reflective supervision and team culture, and the chance to help shape our systems for the better.

Travel may be required for meetings or training, and a DBS check will be necessary due to case involvement.

Application Details

• Closing date: 14th August 2026
• Interviews: w/c 24th August 2026

We warmly welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to equal opportunities.

Equality & Diversity Statement

Acorns commits to:

• Actively challenge discrimination
• Ensure that all staff, volunteers and service users are treated fairly
• Make sure that our activities and services are truly accessible to all who might benefit
• Work collaboratively with other organisations to address inequality
• Work to promote an organisational culture of diversity
• Strive to ensure that the profile of trustees, staff and volunteers reflects the wider communities within which we operate

Everyone engaging with Acorns, as a service user, volunteer, or staff member, will be expected at all times to treat other people with respect and consideration.

Safeguarding Statement

Acorns believes that no child, young person or adult should ever experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and keep them safe. We are committed to practice in a way that protects them, to promoting their well-being and enjoyment and protecting their health, safety and general welfare while in the company, employ or care of Acorns staff or volunteers. Safeguarding and protection of those at risk is everyone’s business; it is everyone’s duty to report any safeguarding concerns to the relevant agency. We also practice Safer Recruitment practices. Our full safeguarding policies are available upon request.