Exchange House Ireland National Travellers Service is the largest front line Traveller specific service in Ireland. We are an organisation of Traveller and non-Traveller people working together to provide services to Traveller families, and Traveller young people and children and Traveller men and women, many of whom are in crisis. We pride ourselves in working with some of the most marginalised members of the Traveller community.

We are a multi-disciplinary service provider offering Family Support and Crisis Intervention Services, Children and Young Peoples’ Services, Addiction Services, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Services and Education and Training Services to members of the Traveller community in the Dublin area. We also deliver various national services through training, provision of expertise and partnerships with other organisations providing services to Travellers in Ireland.

Exchange House Ireland now wishes to recruit a

Play Therapist

Part-time (16 hours); 2-Year Contract

Job Description

Outline of the position

To provide for immediate and longer-term therapeutic needs for Traveller children experiencing complex trauma histories. To offer support and advise to other staff as required.

Reporting to

Family Support and Crisis Intervention Services Manager

Main duties

• Work as part of the Exchange House Ireland Family Support and Crisis Intervention Service Team to provide a service to Travellers who need support
• To engage in teamwork in assessing and monitoring the needs of children referred.
• To incorporate play therapy techniques of observation and assessment as an aid to diagnostic understanding.
• To plan, implement, evaluate and deliver play therapy programmes to individual children and prioritise duties.
• To work collaboratively with children, parents and colleagues to implement individual treatment programmes.
• To accept referrals via locally agreed referral pathways.
• To present clinical reports and ongoing reviews to colleagues and other agencies when required.
• To keep informed of ongoing developments in the field of Child Protection and Welfare, alternative care and prevention partnership and family support and in the field of play therapy.
• To maintain appropriate records of equipment and to participate in audits and evaluations.
• To be responsible for one’s ongoing professional development in accordance with membership of a professional play therapy body.
• To adhere to the Codes of Ethics of the play therapy profession.
• To document assessments and interventions in line with professional guidelines and adhere to the Family Support and Crisis Intervention Service established system of record keeping in relation to clients, work records, statistics etc.
• Provide written reports to the Family Support and Crisis Intervention Service Manager, CEO and/or Board of Directors when required.
• Flexibility is a requirement of this position.
• Carry out any other duties as requested by the CEO or Board of Directors.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate must have:

• A recognised qualification in Childcare, Social Work, Psychology or relevant discipline.
• A recognised professional qualification in play therapy
• 3 years-experience in play therapy
• Experience of working with children who have experienced trauma or disruption or both

The ideal candidate should have:

• At least 3 years’ experience of working in a community work setting
• Experience of working with disadvantaged community
• A proven record in responding to clients in a holistic way
• Experience of report writing
• Experience of completing assessments and care plans
• Experience of delivering interventions to families in need
• Experience in the following is desirable:
• Previous experience of working with the Traveller Community or in the area of human rights

Terms and Conditions

Based in Exchange House Ireland’s offices on Great Strand Street, Dublin 1, D01 WC97

Hours of work: 16 hours net per week

Some flexibility may be required on occasion in relation to working hours and travelling

Current clean full driving licence and access to a car for work is desirable but not essential

Salary:

The salary will be as per the HSE’s Play Therapist scale [Oct 2023] (€41,075 – €58,232), commensurate with qualifications and experience

How to apply

If you feel you are a good fit for Exchange House Ireland and would enjoy working with us, please send your application to info@exchangehouse.ie with the subject line ‘Play Therapist Application’.

Your application must include a cover letter and up-to-date CV combined and sent in one document

Please keep your cover letter to a maximum of one page. In your cover letter, include:

• Why you feel you are a good fit for this role with Exchange House Ireland; and
• Details of your relevant experience

More information is available at Exchange House Ireland’s Careers webpage or by calling the Personnel Department on 01 872 1094

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm, Saturday 5th October 2024

This position is supported with funding from the Health Service Executive Social Inclusion Office

Exchange House Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer

• Applications from members of the Traveller community, with relevant qualifications, are especially welcome
• All positions in Exchange House Ireland are subject to Garda Vetting and full reference checks
• All positions in Exchange House Ireland are subject to ongoing funding
• Applicants must be eligible to work in Ireland
• This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and requirements of the position. It may be subject to change based on the organisation’s needs and the evolving nature of the role