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Children & Young People Development Worker / Play Therapist
Location: South Hampshire Women's Refuge, Southampton
Salary: £31,612 per annum
Hours: 40 hours per week
Contract: Full-time
Closing Date: 29 May 2026
Make a real difference where it matters most
We believe every child deserves a safe space to heal, grow, and thrive. We're looking for a compassionate and creative Children & Young People Development Worker / Play Therapist to join our Domestic Abuse Services team.
This is a unique opportunity to support children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse-helping them rebuild confidence, process trauma, and develop resilience through therapeutic play and person-centred support.
What you'll be doing
Deliver age-appropriate, strengths-based play therapy within a refuge setting
Use creative therapeutic approaches such as storytelling, art, music, and role play
Support children and young people to express emotions and build resilience
Work collaboratively with families and colleagues to develop tailored support plans
Partner with parents to create safe, nurturing environments
Engage with multi-agency professionals and contribute to safeguarding best practice
Play an active role in shaping and developing our children and family support programmeWhat we're looking for
A recognised qualification in psychotherapy or counselling (Dip/PGDip or above)
Registration with a relevant professional body (e.g. UKCP, BACP, BAPT)
Proven experience delivering therapeutic support to children and young people
Strong knowledge of child development, attachment theory, and the impact of domestic abuse
A creative, flexible, and non-judgemental approach
Excellent communication and partnership working skillsImportant information
This post is restricted to female applicants only under the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 (Schedule 9, Part 1).
The role is based in a female-only domestic abuse refuge, where a female worker is required to ensure the privacy, dignity, and safety of residents.
About the service
With over 20 years' experience delivering refuge, safe accommodation, and community-based domestic abuse services, this service supports individuals and families affected by abuse through a range of provision, including:
Women and children's refuges
LGBTQ+ safe spaces
Specialist culturally responsive refuge provision
Dispersed accommodation for those unable to access traditional refuge settingsThe wider organisation also manages a large portfolio of housing, supporting tens of thousands of customers across affordable housing and specialist accommodation services.
Our mission is to provide quality homes and support for people whose needs are not met by the open market.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, if you do not hear from us within 7 working days, your application has been unsuccessful.
If this role is not for you but you do know somebody who would be interested, please feel free to refer them to us! We have a "Refer A Friend" bonus scheme and we will reward you retail vouchers for any referrals who are not already known to us and are successfully placed!
Red Snapper Recruitment is a member of the Red Snapper Group.
The Red Snapper Group acts as an employment agency (permanent) and as an employment business (temporary) - a free and confidential service to candidates.
The Red Snapper Recruitment Group is an equal opportunities employer