Drama and Movement Therapist (Maternity Cover)

The Mulberry Bush; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

The Mulberry Bush is seeking a Drama and Movement Therapist for a part-time, maternity cover role. You will support children in exploring their emotions through drama, collaborating closely with the therapeutic team. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to a nurturing environment, ensuring the wellbeing of children while effectively managing your own caseload.

Benefits

Annual leave during school holidays

Wellbeing support

Employer contribution pension of 6%

Enhanced parental leave benefits

Subsidised meals

Qualifications

• HCPC registered as a Drama Therapist.
• Experience working with children and families.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Deliver one-to-one drama therapy sessions and assessments.
• Work collaboratively with school teams and external professionals.
• Prioritise safeguarding and child wellbeing.

Skills

Communication skills

Understanding of children's behaviours

Collaboration

Therapeutic knowledge

Resilience

Education

Postgraduate qualification in Drama Therapy

Job description

Job title: Drama and Movement Therapist
Location: Mulberry Bush School, Standlake, Witney, Oxfordshire.
Salary: GBP19,900 - GBP22,519 (FTE GBP49,749 - GBP56,298).
Job type: Maternity cover (Sept 2025 - end July 2026)
Hours: 15 hrs a week
Shift pattern: 2 days a week, term-time only (either Tues/Weds or Weds/Thurs)

About the role:

Covering a planned 11-month maternity leave, as a Drama and Movement Therapist, you'll support a small group of children with individual therapy, helping them explore their emotions and experiences through drama. You'll also work closely with the wider team to build a deeper understanding of each child's world. Warmth, flexibility and a love for working creatively are key. If you're ready to be part of an extraordinary story, we'd love to hear from you.

Responsibilities:
Deliver one-to-one drama therapy sessions and assessments.
Keep clear records and write reports as needed.
Attend treatment team meetings and share therapeutic insights.
Work collaboratively with school teams and external professionals.
Join clinical discussions, supervisions and reflective sessions.
Support the development of the Therapies and Networks team.
Prioritise safeguarding and child wellbeing at all times.
Contribute to the wider Mulberry Bush community where you can.

Benefits:
Annual leave during school holidays.
A comprehensive range of informal and formal wellbeing support.
Employer contribution pension of 6%.
Enhanced parental leave benefits.
Subsidised meals.

About you:
Postgraduate qualification in Drama Therapy.
HCPC registered as a Drama Therapist.
Experience working with children and families.
Confident understanding of symbolic and non-verbal communication.
Clear and effective communication skills, written and verbal.
Able to manage your own caseload and workload.
Evidence of ongoing professional development.
Knowledge of HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics.
Ability to be robust and resilient when dealing with children's challenging behaviours and emotions.

About the Mulberry Bush :

The Mulberry Bush is a therapeutic community, registered as a children's home and a non-maintained residential special school. We also provide therapeutic outreach services to schools and other community-based organisations, along with research and consultancy services. Since 1948, we've been helping to transform the lives of children who have experienced trauma with specialist therapeutic services and fulfilling activities.

You're not just part of a team here, you're part of a family. Support echoes through our community, and your colleagues are always there to lend a hand or share a smile.

We believe we offer something special - and we'd love you to be part of it.

The Mulberry Bush is an equal opportunity employer. It is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable people and expects all staff and students to share this commitment.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore candidates must be prepared to undertake a DBS criminal background check.

Apply now :

If you have any questions about the role or the work we do, please email the HR team at

Selection process:

Closing date for CVs: Friday 13th June 2025

Come and meet the team (2hrs): Thursday 26th June 2025

Application forms returned: Wednesday 2nd July 2025

Interviews: Thursday 10th July or Tuesday 15th July 2025

Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 11 months

Pay: GBP49,749.00-GBP56,298.00 per year

Application question(s):
Do you have the legal right to live and work in the UK?

Work Location: In person