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Help - speech and language therapy or play specialist

Hi, I have finished university and hold a level 6 early years childhood degree. I am interested continuing my development and going on to speech and language or health play specialist.I have looked on the prospects website to see where I can go with this but it's doesn't really give clear ways to go. I was just wondering of anyone what paths I could take with the experience I have, and would I have to so further courses and training. Thank you
(edited 7 months ago)
Original post by emmle
Hi, I have finished university and hold a level 6 early years childhood degree. I am interested continuing my development and going on to speech and language or health play specialist.I have looked on the prospects website to see where I can go with this but it's doesn't really give clear ways to go. I was just wondering of anyone what paths I could take with the experience I have, and would I have to so further courses and training. Thank you


Where you say speech and language, do you mean speech therapy?

The job profiles for a play therapist include the following:
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/play-therapist
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/play-therapist
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/wider-healthcare-team/roles-wider-healthcare-team/corporate-services/health-play-staff/health-play-staff
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/childcare/job-profile/play-therapist

The are other job profiles, but I normally refer to the above for the main ones.

Play therapist is a regulated profession, and according to the above you would need an approved postgrad degree on top of your current degree.
You would notice that the links above should take you to the following website: https://www.bapt.info/becoming/bapt-play-therapy-qualification/ From this page, you would note that there are only 3 universities that offer the course that you need:
https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/postgraduate-study/2023/msc-play-therapy/ - need 2 years' experience post degree
https://www.roehampton.ac.uk/postgraduate-courses/play-therapy/ - 2:1 grade in your degree subject + 2 years' experience post degree
https://www.southwales.ac.uk/courses/msc-play-therapy/ - your degree + 5 years' experience.

Alternatively, you can apply for a 3 year apprenticeship after your degree. I wish you luck finding such a role though.

If you can be clearer about what you mean by speech and language, I would be able to help you further.
Reply 2
Original post by MindMax2000
Where you say speech and language, do you mean speech therapy?

The job profiles for a play therapist include the following:
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/play-therapist
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/play-therapist
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/wider-healthcare-team/roles-wider-healthcare-team/corporate-services/health-play-staff/health-play-staff
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/childcare/job-profile/play-therapist

The are other job profiles, but I normally refer to the above for the main ones.

Play therapist is a regulated profession, and according to the above you would need an approved postgrad degree on top of your current degree.
You would notice that the links above should take you to the following website: https://www.bapt.info/becoming/bapt-play-therapy-qualification/ From this page, you would note that there are only 3 universities that offer the course that you need:
https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/postgraduate-study/2023/msc-play-therapy/ - need 2 years' experience post degree
https://www.roehampton.ac.uk/postgraduate-courses/play-therapy/ - 2:1 grade in your degree subject + 2 years' experience post degree
https://www.southwales.ac.uk/courses/msc-play-therapy/ - your degree + 5 years' experience.

Alternatively, you can apply for a 3 year apprenticeship after your degree. I wish you luck finding such a role though.

If you can be clearer about what you mean by speech and language, I would be able to help you further.

Thank you so much for all the links and yes speech and language therapy with children
Original post by emmle
Thank you so much for all the links and yes speech and language therapy with children


To become a speech and language therapist you need to take a degree approved by the HCPC and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. As you already have a degree, you might be able to take a 2-year pre-registration masters course and you would be eligible for both tuition and maintenance fee loans as it is an exception course. There is a list of accredited courses here:

https://www.rcslt.org/speech-and-language-therapy/become-a-speech-and-language-therapist/university-degrees/hei-list/

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