Therapeutic Practitioner

Darlington Borough Council; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in Tees Valley is seeking a Therapeutic Practitioner to support children and families through trauma-informed practices. The role involves delivering therapeutic support, conducting assessments, and providing guidance across social care and education sectors. Experience in various therapeutic methodologies is required. The position offers a full-time contract and comprehensive benefits, including generous leave and a pension scheme.

Benefits

32 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Generous pension scheme

Flexi-time scheme

Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave

Green Car Leasing Scheme

Access to training, development, and wellbeing support

Cycle to Work Scheme

Discounts at the Dolphin Centre and Arriva Travel Club

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering therapeutic support.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively with children and families.

Responsibilities

• Deliver therapeutic support through various modalities.
• Conduct therapeutic assessments and contribute to care planning.
• Provide guidance to professionals in various sectors.
• Deliver training sessions on relevant therapeutic topics.

Skills

Psychoeducation

Family therapy / systemic practice

CBT / Trauma-Focused CBT

Therapeutic play

Counselling (children and adolescents)

Creative therapies

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP)

Theraplay®

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)

EMDR

Therapeutic Life Story Work

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

Job description

Therapeutic Practitioner (Ref: POS001142)

Salary Band 9 £ 35,412 - £ 38,220 per annum / Band 10 £ 39,152 - £ 41,771 per annum / Band 11 £ 46,142 Salary Band £30,001 to £40,000 Post Type Permanent Hours Per Week Full time

Job and Application details

Categories Social Care - Children Service
Directorate N/A Published Date 13/10/2025 Closing Date 28/10/2025

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to our trauma-informed and relational approach to supporting children, young people, and their families.

About the Role

As a Therapeutic Practitioner, you will work directly with:

Children and young people in our care

Their adult carers (including foster carers, residential staff, and family members)

Children and families in the wider community

You will be part of a small, supportive team committed to building strong, trusting relationships and promoting healing and resilience. Our approach is grounded in attachment, trauma, and loss theory, and we aim to ensure every child and young person can reach their full potential.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Delivering therapeutic support through 1:1 sessions, group work, and reflective consultations (“Thinking Space”)
• Undertaking therapeutic assessments and contributing to care planning
• Providing advice and guidance to professionals across social care, education, and health
• Delivering training on trauma, attachment, and related topics to carers and professionals

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to our trauma-informed and relational approach to supporting children, young people, and their families.

About the Role

As a Therapeutic Practitioner, you will work directly with:

Children and young people in our care

Their adult carers (including foster carers, residential staff, and family members)

Children and families in the wider community

You will be part of a small, supportive team committed to building strong, trusting relationships and promoting healing and resilience. Our approach is grounded in attachment, trauma, and loss theory, and we aim to ensure every child and young person can reach their full potential.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Delivering therapeutic support through 1:1 sessions, group work, and reflective consultations (“Thinking Space”)
• Undertaking therapeutic assessments and contributing to care planning
• Providing advice and guidance to professionals across social care, education, and health
• Delivering training on trauma, attachment, and related topics to carers and professionals

Darlington’s Relational Approach

We are proud of our relational practice model, which places relationships at the heart of everything we do. We believe that healing and growth happen through connection, and we are committed to working alongside children, families, and carers in a respectful and empowering way.

We Welcome Applications From Practitioners With Experience In:

Psychoeducation

Family therapy / systemic practice

CBT / Trauma-Focused CBT

Therapeutic play

Counselling (children and adolescents)

Creative therapies (e.g. sand play, metaphor work)

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP)

Theraplay®

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)

EMDR

Therapeutic Life Story Work

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

Why Work for Us?

We offer:

• 32 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave
• Generous pension scheme
• Flexi-time scheme
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Green Car Leasing Scheme
• Access to training, development, and wellbeing support
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Discounts at the Dolphin Centre and Arriva Travel Club

For the full range of benefits we offer, please see our “why work for us” internet page, which also includes our Total Reward Booklet and Employee Benefit Video.

https://www.darlington.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers-1/why-work-for-us/

Find out further information about us and what it’s like to work for our great team by visiting the Jobs and Careers home page.

https://www.darlington.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/

Key Information

Interview date: Friday 7th November 2026

Contact for informal discussion: Victoria Hamer, Service Manager – 07305 823211

DBS: Enhanced DBS and Children’s Barred List check required

For detailed information on this role, please refer to the Role Profile and Employee Information Sheet