Primary School Counselling and Play Therapy Coordinator

Cyngor Sir Ceredigion County Council; Penmorfa, Aberaeron; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Wales is seeking a Primary School Counselling and Play Therapy Coordinator to lead emotional wellbeing services in primary schools. This role involves coordinating referrals, delivering therapeutic support, and overseeing a new play therapy service. Candidates should have a relevant qualification and experience working with children. The position offers family-friendly flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Quality administrative support

Flexible working arrangements

Monthly supervision

Access to training opportunities

Generous employer pension scheme

Qualifications

• Strong experience working with emotional, social or mental health needs in children.
• Ideal background in school or community settings.
• Experience in coordinating services is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage referrals to counselling and play therapy services.
• Deliver one-to-one therapeutic support for pupils in need.
• Oversee the development of a new play therapy service.

Skills

Experience working therapeutically with primary-aged children

Excellent assessment skills

Strong service coordination skills

Passion for inclusive education

Education

Recognised counselling, play therapy or child psychotherapy qualification

Job description

Primary School Counselling and Play Therapy Coordinator

We operate a bilingual policy. All applicants are invited to apply in Welsh, any application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English.

Only current employees may apply for this job.

Are you an experienced counsellor or therapist with a passion for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of younger children?

We are excited to recruit a Primary School Counselling and Play Therapy Coordinator to lead, coordinate, and deliver emotional wellbeing services across our cluster of primary schools in Ceredigion. This role will play a key part in the development of our in-house counselling team and the launch of a new play therapy service, working with children primarily in Years 1–6.

As a key member of our innovative and expanding School Counselling Team, you will:

• coordinate and manage referrals to both counselling and play therapy services across multiple primary schools
• deliver one-to-one therapeutic support and small group interventions for pupils with emotional, social or mental health needs
• oversee the development of the new play therapy service, ensuring quality, accessibility, and appropriate case allocation
• liaise closely with school staff, parents, and other professionals to promote early intervention and whole-school approaches to wellbeing
• this is a rare opportunity to combine strategic leadership with direct therapeutic work – helping to shape services that will have a lasting impact on children’s emotional development and school experience in Ceredigion

We welcome applications from candidates who:

• hold a recognised counselling, play therapy or child psychotherapy qualification (e.g., BACP, UKCP, PTUK, HCPC registration)
• have strong experience working therapeutically with primary-aged children, ideally in school or community settings
• can demonstrate excellent assessment, referral, and service coordination skills
• are passionate about inclusive education, early intervention, and trauma-informed practice

Experience of coordinating services or developing new provision is desirable but not essential.

You will join the team at an exciting time as we move forward in growing our primary school counselling service. We have a friendly, lively and innovative School Based Counselling Team who are committed to assisting the LEA in the achievement of increased inclusion and raising educational standards. Committed to the concept of inclusive education, you will have an understanding of the challenges facing education with increased needs relating to mental health and wellbeing and be a passionate supporter of high expectations and achievement for all pupils.

By joining us you will access:

• quality, dedicated administrative and IT support
• family friendly flexible working arrangements
• monthly supervision in accordance with BACP code of practice
• attendance of team meetings and peer supervision
• access to the council’s superannuation pension scheme
• access opportunities for further training and development

Ceredigion is a beautiful rural area in West Wales providing easy access to coastal paths and many scenic walks. It is also an area that is rich in culture and where the National Library of Wales is based along with Art centre.

As a Local Authority, we are committed to delivering improved safety and well-being outcomes for children, individuals and families and, in order to achieve that goal, we need to be confident that our workforce development, assessment and care planning are informed by evidence of innovative and best practice. Ceredigion will deliver sustainable and quality services using co-productive and collaborative methods with a clear focus on what matters to people’s safety and well-being. The Signs of Safety Practice Framework will underpin all aspects of service delivery across the corporate organisation. This will ensure that there is greater consistency and transparency in what individuals and families can expect from us across the continuum of need. The Signs of Safety Framework ensure there is emphasis on building individual, family and community strengths and robust assessment to identify clear goals, which will enable the organisation to deliver the right help at the right time to people in Ceredigion.

For an informal discussion about this post, please contact School Counselling Business Manager, Meriel Evans: [e-mail]

Note: We reserve the right to extend the application closing date.

We are committed to safeguarding and protecting children and adults at risk. As part of this commitment, certain roles within our organisation require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to assess the suitability of candidates. This role will require an Enhanced DBS check. Pleasenote that the presence of previous convictions will not necessarily disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. We assess each applicant on a case-by-case basis, and take into account the nature and relevance of any convictions in relation to the responsibilities of the role. Our goal is to create an inclusive and supportive work environment where all individuals are treated fairly and with respect. If you have any concerns or questions regarding this process, please feel free to contact us for clarification. Your privacy and dignity are of utmost importance to us throughout the recruitment process.

What we offer

• Work-life balance
• Lifestyle savings scheme
• Generous employer pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Learning and development

Where you\'ll work

Schools and Culture

We offer appropriate challenge and support to our schools, to help them deliver first class education to all pupils, across the age and ability range. Our primary functions are as follows:

• School Improvement: Leadership; Support and Challenge, Teaching and Learning; Digital Literacy; Literacy and Numeracy; Welsh in Education
• Additional Learning Needs: Provision for pupils with Additional Learning Needs, Inclusion; Attendance; Educational Psychology
• Pupil Wellbeing:Counselling; Welfare; Anti-Bullying, Pupil Voice
• Education Governance: Data ; Governor Support, Policy support
• School Admissions
• Culture: Music Service; Cered; Felinfach Theatre; Museum
• Infrastructure and Resources: Planning School Places; Modernisation and Twenty First Century Schools Programme; Buildings; Grants
• Catering: Day Centres; Primary Schools; Residential homes.
• Childcare Unit: Childcare Sufficiency Assessment; Childcare & Play Grant; Childcare Offer; Out of School (After School Clubs and Holiday Playschemes); Day Nursery, Cylch/Playgroup & Childminder business support and staff training

Penmorfa is our most central office, it is where our Chief Executive and Councillors are based. Read more Aberaeron Aberaeron is a picture perfect harbour town and is one of Ceredigion\'s best loved holiday destinations with fashionable places to stay and eat. Read more