Support Emotional Wellbeing. Empower Through Play. Make a Lasting Impact. Do you have a passion for helping children express themselves, build confidence, and overcome challenges through play? Are you looking for a rewarding role where you can make a tangible difference in the lives of young people? Smart Education is currently recruiting a dedicated Play Therapist to work across schools and specialist settings in the Teesside area. This is an excellent opportunity for a creative and empathetic professional who thrives on supporting children’s emotional, social, and developmental wellbeing. What You’ll Be Doing: Delivering individual and group play therapy sessions tailored to students’ emotional and developmental needs Supporting children to express feelings, process experiences, and develop coping strategies through structured play Collaborating with teachers, SEND teams, and pastoral staff to integrate therapeutic support into school life Monitoring and documenting student progress and outcomes Creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all students Providing guidance to staff and parents on using play to support emotional wellbeing and personal development Who We’re Looking For: Minimum of 6 months’ UK experience in an educational, therapeutic, or childcare setting – essential Qualified and registered Play Therapist (e.g., BAPT, HCPC, or equivalent) Experience working with children or young people in schools, SEN settings, or therapeutic environments Strong communication, empathy, and interpersonal skills Ability to adapt play therapy techniques to meet individual student needs Professional, reliable, and solution-focused mindset Enhanced DBS (Child or Child & Adult Workforce), or willingness to apply What You’ll Get in Return: Competitive daily pay (£100 – £150, depending on experience) FREE access to ongoing CPD and skills training Holiday pay entitlement Support and guidance from a dedicated consultant familiar with your local schools Opportunities to work across a variety of supportive mainstream and SEN schools in Teesside About Smart Education: Smart Education is a trusted recruitment agency with over a decade of experience placing exceptional support staff and therapists into schools that value their expertise. We are committed to safeguarding, inclusion, and supporting student wellbeing. If you’re passionate about using play to help children thrive emotionally and socially, apply today and join the Smart Education family