Platform for Life
Permanent employed position
About Platform for Life
Platform for Life is a Chester-based mental health charity. We offer free, easy to access community-based counselling, art and play therapies to adults, children and young people from low-income households in Blacon, Lache and Kingsway who are struggling with mental health issues.
We recognise the impact trauma can have on the whole family system. The families we work with have often experienced multigenerational trauma and adversity and where appropriate we offer interventions to individuals and/or their family. We focus on strengthening family relationships and creating more stable and nurturing environments for children. Our aim is to stop the cycle of poor mental health being passed down from one generation to the next and, through early intervention, stop poor mental health becoming a life-long disability.
The people we support cannot afford to pay for private therapy when NHS services are not available or are too difficult to access for various reasons. We work in the community where our clients live or go to school to reduce barriers like transport issues and to minimise disruption to education.
Our art/play therapist role
We’re looking for a qualified art/play therapist with experience of working with vulnerable and traumatised adults, children and young people.
The role is part time (3 days per week). Salary will be based on a full time equivalent of £29,000 – £30,500 per year and holiday entitlement is based on a full time equivalent of 38 days paid holiday (including bank holidays).
This role is community-based in the Blacon, Lache and Kingsway areas of Chester, delivering face to face therapy to adults, children and young people.
You will…
- Have a minimum of Level 5 qualification in Art/Play Therapy or equivalent.
- Be a member of/accredited with/eligible for accreditation with a relevant professional body.
- Have a minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience of providing therapy to children and young people and/or adults.
- Have experience in following safeguarding and vulnerable adult and child protection procedures.
- Have good organisation skills and be able to maintain up-to-date, accurate records and assessments utilising IT systems.
- Have knowledge and understanding of current issues affecting parents and children/ young people living in areas of deprivation.
- Be able to develop positive relationships with clients, engaging with and supporting them in their personal development.
- Be able to plan, organise and evaluate your own work and fulfil evaluation and monitoring reports to show impact and generate client case studies.
What you can expect from us…
- A salary in the region of £29,000 to £30,500 per year full time equivalent pro-rata depending on number of working days.
- External supervision costs will be covered.
- 38 days paid holiday per year (including bank holidays) pro-rata dependent on number of working days.
- Travel expenses for travel between the community locations we work in.
- Flexible working opportunities.
- A comprehensive induction to working with Platform for Life.
- Ongoing CPD training and career development opportunities.
- A friendly, welcoming and supportive team culture.
Find out more about our charity on our website, our ethos and the difference we’re making in the communities where we work.
Safe recruitment
Platform for Life is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and an enhanced DBS are required for this role.
How to apply
To apply for the role, please download and complete the application form, self-disclosure form and equality and diversity monitoring form and return them to [email protected]. The deadline for applications is 31 May 2025 with interviews taking place week commencing 23 June 2025. If you have any questions about the position or the recruitment process, please do get in touch with us at [email protected].