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Job summary

Main area
Arts Therapy/Learning Disabilities
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 7
Contract
12 months (This is fixed term contract for 12 months for two days (4 sessions) a week)
Hours
Part time - 15 hours per week
Job ref
363-CH7398956
Employer
East London NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
St Leonard's Hospital
Town
London
Salary
£56,276 - £63,176 Per annum pro rata inc HCA
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
19/09/2025 23:59

Employer heading

East London NHS Foundation Trust logo

Arts Therapist

NHS AfC: Band 7

ELFT has long been recognised as a centre of excellence for mental and health care, innovation and improvement. So it is a very exciting time for you to come and work for us. Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Job overview

We would like to offer an exciting opportunity for a Band 7 Arts Therapist to work in the Hackney Integrated Learning Disability Service (ILDS).  We are a dynamic and friendly multi-disciplinary team made up of health and social care practitioners working with people with learning disabilities, their families, carers and supporters in a diverse and vibrant part of London.  We are looking for an enthusiastic and creative practitioner who is committed to advancing the wellbeing and life chances of people with learning disabilities and addressing health and social care inequalities experienced by this group.

Main duties of the job

You will be part of the friendly, inclusive and supportive ILDS Psychology team.  You will work directly with people with learning disabilities and their networks to deliver assessments and arts therapy interventions as part of a cohesive multi-disciplinary team.  In addition you will provide consultation and training to other providers.  This is a new role, so we hope that you will be able to share information about the value and impact of arts therapies with colleagues and those who draw on ILDS services.  As part of the role there will be opportunities to participate in innovative research and service development projects - creativity and flexibility are definitely encouraged! You will receive regular supervision and the service is committed to continuous professional development with access to internal and external training opportunities.

Working for our organisation

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Kindly refer to the job description and person specification that is attached to the vacancy profile.

Education/Qualification/Training

Essential

  • Masters Level qualification (MA or MSc) in Art Therapy

  • HCPC registration as an Arts Therapist  

Desirable

  • Post-qualification training in one or more relevant specialist areas of therapeutic practice.

Experience

Essential 

  • Experience of assessment, formulation and intervention with people (and families/carers) with a learning disability.

  • Knowledge of the assessment of capacity to consent and legal and ethical issues pertinent to people with learning disabilities

  • Experience of undertaking service evaluation, research and/or audit

Desirable

  • Experience of collaborating with local community organisations

Knowledge and Skills

Essential 

  • Knowledge of relevant evidence base, best practice and legislation in relation to the provision of arts therapy interventions for adults diagnosed with a learning disability.

  • Working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act, Best Interests and DOLS legislation.

  • A high degree of cultural competence.

Desirable

  • Fluency in a local community language.

 

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Masters in Arts Therapy
  • HCPC Registration
  • Degree in relevant area
Desirable criteria
  • Additional post-qualification training
  • Clinical Supervision Training

Knowledge and skills

Essential criteria
  • Understanding of learning disability context and services
  • MDT working
  • Communication skills - including adapting communication
  • Cultural competency
Desirable criteria
  • Skills in research, audit, service evaluation
  • Fluency in a community language

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working with people with learning disabilities
  • Experience of NHS and statutory services
  • Experience of assessing service users and making recommendations to a Multi-disciplinary team
Desirable criteria
  • Experience working with community groups
  • Experience of working as an Arts therapist in a Multi-disciplinary team
  • Experience of providing teaching and training sessions regarding Arts Therapies to a variety of audiences

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Capital Nurse, LondonCommitted to being an Inclusive EmployerApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveHSJ Best places to workArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare quality commission - OutstandingStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Dr Deborah Chinn
Job title
Joint Lead Clinical Psychologist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07804614441
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