Job Purpose
To provide specialist, trauma-sensitive Arts/Play Therapy to children and young people with complex emotional needs, contributing to therapeutic intervention, assessment and collaborative work with families and professional networks as part of a reflective team.
About Us
The Windmill Trust is a small, specialist charity providing trauma-sensitive Arts/Play therapy for children and young people across West Cumbria. We work with children experiencing developmental trauma, attachment difficulties, emotional dysregulation and complex relational needs, many of whom are unable to access statutory support.
As a grassroots rural organisation, much of our work is delivered flexibly within community settings across West Cumbria. We are a small, reflective and collaborative team who value depth of therapeutic work, relational practice and long-term meaningful change.
About the Role
The role involves a mixture of short-term, focused small group work alongside longer-term, non-directive psychodynamic 1:1 therapy with children and young people aged 4–18 (or up to 25 if care experienced).
We are looking for a thoughtful and emotionally attuned therapist who is able to work independently, manage their own diary and workload while working collaboratively with families, schools and professional networks.
As a rural charity, the role requires flexibility, autonomy and some travel across West Cumbria.
The postholder will:
- Deliver one-to-one and small group Arts/Play Therapy using creative, attachment-informed and non-directive approaches.
- Undertake therapeutic assessments, formulation and reviews.
- Support parents and carers as part of the therapeutic process.
- Maintain therapeutic records and reports.
- Attend relevant multi-agency meetings.
- Contribute to reflective team practice, supervision and service development.
- Work within professional, ethical and safeguarding frameworks.
We welcome applications from:
Art Therapists, Dramatherapists, Play Therapists, Music Therapists, Dance and Movement Therapists and Child & Adolescent Psychotherapists (or other Masters-level trained Psychotherapists with experience of working therapeutically with children and young people) who work in an attachment-informed, creative and non-directive way.
Newly qualified therapists with strong relevant placements are also encouraged to apply.
What We Offer:
- A role within a specialist service where depth of therapeutic work is prioritised over high-volume caseloads.
- A small, supportive and collaborative team that values reflection, mutual support and shared learning.
- Regular supervision and reflective team working.
- Access to specialist trauma-informed consultation within the team.
- Substantial CPD and further training opportunities.
- Involvement in service development and group programmes.
- A 4-day working week (Monday-Thursday), recognising the importance of balance, sustainability and reflective practice within emotionally demanding work.
- Flexibility in working hours (15-30 hours, job share considered).
- 7 weeks paid annual leave.
- Contribution towards supervision and professional registration costs.
- Membership of the NEST pension scheme.
Recruitment Process
Our recruitment process includes an initial informal online meeting, followed by a face-to-face interview in West Cumbria for shortlisted candidates. We hope this gives both applicants and The Windmill Trust an opportunity to explore whether the role feels like the right fit.
Full Job Description, Person Specification and Application Pack available on request.
Work Location: West Cumbria (including Workington and Wigton).
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £31,500.00-£34,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- Do you hold a Masters-level qualification in Art Therapy, Dramatherapy, Play Therapy, Music Therapy, Dance & Movement Therapy, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy or another relevant psychotherapy training?
- This role involves some travel across West Cumbria and independent working within community settings. Are you comfortable with this aspect of the role?
Work Location: In person
