Senior Art Therapist

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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To provide a specialist art psychotherapy assessment for referrals that are of a significant and complex nature in order to formulate and implement plans for the treatment and/or management of a child's or adolescent's mental health problems, based upon an appropriate conceptual framework and employing methods based upon evidence.

• To assess children, adolescents and their families as part of a risk assessment.

• To consult to parents/carers (including foster parents) as part of a treatment plan.

• To act as care coordinator, carrying an identified numbers of Care Coordination caseload of CYP.as required, taking responsibility for initiating, planning and review of care plans and giving consideration to the views of patients, their family, carers, referring agents and other professionals involved in the network of care. This includes organising complex professional network meetings.

• To work in ways which are sensitive to and appropriate for the needs of families from a wide range of racial, cultural and religious backgrounds. This includes abilities to understand and offer therapeutic interventions to a variety of family forms including single parents, same sex couples and their wider family networks, accommodated children and their network of care, children with learning difficulties, and children who are on the 'Child Protection Register', and parents with mental health difficulties. Competence is required in undertaking systemic therapy with families through the use of an interpreter where families do not yet have sufficient understanding of the English language.

• To provide evidence-based art psychotherapy with clinical autonomy drawing on a range of models and interventions. To practice in a way which is inclusive and considerate of the needs of the individual in the context of their developmental stage and current emotional state.

• To make highly skilled evaluations and decisions about treatment options taking into account highly complex factors concerning historical and developmental processes that have shaped the child, family or group, and their difficulties.

• To be responsible for implementing a range of art psychotherapeutic interventions for children and adolescents, drawing upon different explanatory models and maintaining a number of provisional hypotheses in reaching a formulation and treatment plan.

Person specification

Education/Qualification

Essential criteria

• Degree in Art Psychotherapy, MA or equivalent
• Registration to the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) with the British Association of Art Therapists

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of post qualification continuing professional development relevant to field

Experience

Essential criteria

• Extensive experience of working with children & young people presenting with a range of mental health needs
• Supervisory experience with junior and trainee art psychotherapists

Desirable criteria

• Experience of teaching others and holding workshops in relation to field of work

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Ability to undertake relevant assessments, formulation, risk management & care planning
• Able to demonstrate a highly skilled use of art materials and art therapy equipment
• Demonstrates clinical leadership skills relevant to role

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that welcomes and supports individuals of all abilities. Remember, if you meet the minimum criteria for this role and you have a disability, you can be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme - Please ensure you select this on your application form. We would encourage you to be open about your needs so we can work with you to design a comfortable and accessible interview experience. Any information you provide regarding a disability or a need for adjustments will be treated in confidence and will only be shared with colleagues who are supporting this request.

If you require any adjustments to participate fully in the interview process, please let us know by adding the relevant details when scheduling your preferred interview date and time. Please feel free to contact the appointing manager to discuss your needs.

We encourage applicants to contact the hiring manager before their interview, if they have any questions about the role or the process. This is a great way to get clarity and prepare effectively for the interview.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

If you choose to use AI or other tools to assist in writing your application, it's essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section. While AI can help streamline the writing process, these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job you're applying for. There is also a risk that it can generate false or misleading information. AI-generated job applications can often be generic, impersonal and may not accurately reflect your qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experiences. It is crucial that you personalise your supporting statement by articulating these in your unique voice. Relying solely on AI to write your application or supporting information section is not advocated by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and could negatively impact your chances of success in the application process.

We monitor applications for any behaviour that could create an unfair advantage, and we check all references carefully. You are likely to be tested on your experience at interview, so be honest and make sure all the information in your application is correct. Please note that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is prohibited during the interview process.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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

• Job Description & Person Specification (PDF, 688.3KB)
• Important Additional Information For Candidates (please read carefully) (PDF, 160.6KB)
• Privacy Notice for Staff (PDF, 268.6KB)
• Staff Benefits (PDF, 2.5MB)