Play Therapist
Position: Play Therapist
Time Fraction: Part-time: 1 day/week (.2 FTE)
Reports To: Principal
Effective Date: January 2025
Our Philosophy
High Trees Primary was created from a desire and passion to bring emotional safety, a deep sense of connection to the land around us, and a welcome expression of self to an educational environment which fosters innate curiosity, wonder, joy and a love of learning.
An ever-growing body of research supports the fact that children need to feel emotionally safe in order to learn at their deepest and highest capacity. We believe that if children feel a part of a caring, connected learning community where they are seen, heard and valued; they will thrive.
We believe that our approach to education will lead to children who not only maintain, but strengthen, their joy and curiosity; children who learn so deeply that they learn for life rather than for a test; children who value emotional intelligence as much as academic intelligence; children who are connected to themselves, each other and their environment; children who know that unintended outcomes are simply an opportunity for growth and further discovery.
Our Vision
At High Trees Primary, our vision is to cultivate a learning environment where wellbeing, a deep connection with nature, and individual expression are foundational. We aim to nurture curious, capable, creative, conscious and connected children who contribute to the world with confidence and compassion.
Our Learning Seeds Framework
Our unique Learning Seeds framework represents the key ideas, beliefs and skills that we nurture in children throughout their learning journey. Just as seeds need the right environment, care and time to grow, children need a supportive environment to learn and develop at their own individual pace. High Trees Primary focuses on creating the ideal conditions for these learning seeds to flourish.
Our Child Safety Statement
High Trees Primary is deeply committed to being a child safe organisation. We have a zero tolerance stance for anything which threatens child safety and are committed to acting in children’s best interest and keeping them safe from harm at all times. We value our child protection responsibilities with the utmost importance and are committed to ensuring compliance with all child protections laws and regulations.
We are committed to taking a preventative and proactive approach to providing a child safe environment where children are safe and feel safe; they are empowered to use their voices when decisions are being made that affect their safety. We are also committed to providing simple and accessible processes to assist all children to identify and communicate when they do not feel safe. Particularly, this includes those who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, from culturally diverse backgrounds and those with a disability.
We are clear about our expectations of every person in our community and are committed to having a shared understanding of a responsibility for child safety. All members of the High Trees Primary community are expected to uphold a culture that protects children from all forms of harm.
Position Overview: Play Therapist
The role of all Team members at High Trees Primary is to nurture the development of the whole child - social, emotional and academic growth. All Team members are responsible for fostering an emotional connection with children and families by developing collaborative partnerships to enhance inclusion, wellbeing and learning. The Play Therapist position is responsible for the development and delivery of a play therapy program whilst aligning High Trees Primary’s philosophy. The Play Therapist will work closely with all Team members, families and other Allied Health professionals to support children’s learning and wellbeing needs. The Play Therapist is expected to work independently and collaboratively, actively contribute to a joyful team culture and be a positive role model within the community.
Key Responsibilities include:
Support children’s personal growth and development, foster an emotional connection with all children and families, and provide the space for children to feel emotionally safe
Create and contribute to a community in which all children feel they belong, that their strengths are honoured and where risk taking opportunities are encouraged
Demonstrate an Image of the Child that believes that children are creative, curious, conscious, capable and connected learners
Use an intentional, responsive and reflective approach to designing, implementing and reviewing a play therapy program consistent with High Trees Primary’s philosophy
Support participation and connection with families, develop collaborative partnerships to enhance the children’s inclusion, wellbeing and learning
Ensure early intervention and mental health prevention are embedded in High Trees Primary’s therapy approach
Support the Team to identify and support all children in their social, emotional and academic development
Support caregivers to develop strategies to navigate behaviours and feelings
Develop, utilise and review documentation, create and monitor personalised plans for children alongside Group Guides and the Wellbeing Guide
Support the Wellbeing Guide with documentation for NCCD reporting, assist in the review of systems and processes to maintain current legislative requirements in relation to mandatory reporting and other Child Safe Standards requirements
Support pathways for children identified as requiring further assessment and intervention
Identify appropriate training and resources that support the learning and engagement of all children
Facilitate professional learning to ensure the Team are best equipped to meet the social, emotional and academic needs of all children
Facilitate and maintain collaborative relationships with other Allied Health Professionals to ensure social, emotional and academic growth for all children
Be sensitive and responsive to cultural differences and social complexities to ensure all children and families are supported and cared for in a confidential manner
Attend and contribute to regular wellbeing support meetings with the Principal, Wellbeing Guide and other relevant Team members
Conduct themselves in a way that is consistent with the expectations that are held for children and in-line with High Trees Primary’s Philosophy, Policies, Procedures & Child Safety Code of Conduct
Undertake and maintain professional development and training as provided for by High Trees Primary
Commit to ongoing personal development and self reflection
Participate in all aspects of High Trees Primary, including social functions, school events, camps, incursions/ excursions, community days, team meetings and planning days
In partnership with the Principal and/or other Team members, support the development of special programs
Contribute to an innovative, collaborative and joyful team culture
Engage in regular reflective conversations as a team about our practice, goals and ideas
Act, seek advice and/or report on all cases of suspected child safety breaches in order to comply with Duty of Care obligations
The successful applicant will:
Display that they are committed to personal and professional self-growth and reflection, be flexible and willing to learn, unlearn and try new approaches, be able to sit with uncertainty and be comfortable with the uncomfortable
Demonstrate a strong understanding of the wellbeing of children, how to hold space for children and how to respond to children’s emotional needs
Have a demonstrated capacity and experience to facilitate an effective play therapy program
Have experience and understanding of trauma informed practice
Have experience in developing and maintaining collaborative partnerships to enhance the children’s inclusion, wellbeing and learning
Have a strong knowledge and understanding of the Child Safety Standards
Demonstrate integrity, initiative, openness, vulnerability, authenticity, confidentiality and emotional intelligence
Be passionate, grounded, reflective, humble, warm, energetic and fun
Have a tertiary level qualification in a Mental Health field (Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Occupational Therapy), Mandatory Reporting Certificate and First Aid Qualifications
Key Selection Criteria
Share your Image of the Child
What moments, educational movement, theory or people have shaped your learning as an therapist? Demonstrate an understanding and examples of your openness and flexibility to learning and unlearning, self reflection and growth.
Emotional wellbeing, relationships, connection and partnership sit at the core of High Trees. Demonstrate an understanding and examples of how you align with our philosophy, vision and values including a focus on children, families, team and community.
Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and extensive training in play therapy foundational skills, theory, knowledge and practice.
How do you define creativity? How will you bring this into your role?
Demonstrate how you contribute to an innovative, collaborative and joyful team culture.
Please send your resume, including a minimum of three professional referees, a cover letter and responses to the Key Selection Criteria to hello@hightreesprimary.com.au by Monday 23 September.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview during the week of Monday 30 September - Friday 4 October.
This Position Description is a guide only and is not intended to be an exhaustive or exclusive list of the duties of this position. It is subject to review and modification by the Principal at any time in response to the changing needs of the school.
