Job summary
We are looking for a passionate and driven qualified Creative Arts Practitioner to join our Psychological Therapies Service, which forms part of our bereavement service offer. The Creative Arts Practitioner role will assess the holistic needs of individual children and plan and facilitate meaningful and appropriate 1-1 Therapeutic Art interventions, and deliver creative arts led group interventions alongside other Therapists. The role holder will be pivotal in the delivery of memory work for children and families using a number of creative methods. This post will be working with children and families to create long lasting memories and often in extremely emotive situations. The role will be based at the hospice and in the community.
Hours for the role are 30 hours. Applicants will be required to work flexibly, occasional weekend and evenings as and when required.
Main duties of the job
You will have a degree in Creative Arts or an equivalent qualification, along with experience providing focused therapeutic art interventions for children of varying abilities. You'll also be experienced in delivering therapeutic work within multisensory environments, tailoring your approach to each child's needs.
In addition, you will bring creative experience in facilitating memory making activities, including hand casting, canvas prints and other personalised pieces.
You will have knowledge of children's development, assessment and planning for therapeutic interventions, including an understanding of the additional developmental needs of children with complex medical needs and disabilities. Alongside this, you'll be able to plan and organise your workload effectively, prioritising as needed. Well developed interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills will enable you to build supportive relationships, and you'll also bring knowledge of a range of communication methods to engage children and families in a meaningful and accessible way.
About us
Ty Hafan is a beautiful childrens hospice located on the picturesque Vale of Glamorgan coastline. Covering South, East and West Wales, Ty Hafan offer a newly refurbished working environment set within idyllic grounds just a short distance from the metropolitan area of Cardiff.
Ty Hafans ambition is that when a child's life will be short, no family should have to live it on their own. Sadly, we know that thousands of families across Wales face fear, exhaustion and uncertainty as they care for a child whose life will be short. We believe no-one should face this alone, and we are committed to walking alongside families through life, death and beyond.
We are experts in caring for children with life-shortening conditions. Our services support families in the hospice, in community settings, local hospitals and in the family home. We understand that every child and family is unique, and that caring for a child with complex needs can be incredibly demanding. Our aim is simple, to ensure no family faces their child's short life alone.
Our colleagues, volunteers and supporters play an essential part in delivering this mission. Every role contributes to the lifeline we provide.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Work with the Therapists and Bereavement Lead to ensure a seamless service of 1-1 interventions for children/young people, providing directive and non-directive 1-1 therapeutic arts sessions to reduce impact on waiting times for Play Therapy pathways.
- Work alongside the Child and Adolescent Therapists to deliver group therapy, using therapeutic/ creative arts skills when and where required for anticipatory grief and post bereavement interventions.
- Undertake holistic assessments and provide therapeutic plans which support appropriate stimulation for the age and developmental stage of the child/young person.
- Deliver creative art interventions interactively and as a form of expression.
- Take a lead on ensuring a holistic and equitable approach to ensuring all families are offered appropriate memory making, at the right place and at the right time.
- Deliver creative art interventions in a timely and targeted way based on assessed need and with embedded evaluation tools to measure outputs and impact.
- Work with the child and family in the most appropriate setting in line with the principles of child-centred, family focussed care.
- Work with the other professionals where necessary to provide creative art interventions where needed in both the hospice and other community settings including hospitals as part of the professional delivery of a paediatric palliative care service.
- Provide advice, guidance, support and training to fellow members of the Care Services Team with regards to therapeutic engagement and memory work skills, enabling effective holistic care
- Communicate effectively and in a timely and most appropriate manner with colleagues, children and families and maintain accurate, clear and contemporaneous records and documentation in line with Ty Hafans record keeping policy.
- Any other duties appropriate with the band and level of responsibility of this role for which the job holder has the necessary experience and/or training to complete.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Work with the Therapists and Bereavement Lead to ensure a seamless service of 1-1 interventions for children/young people, providing directive and non-directive 1-1 therapeutic arts sessions to reduce impact on waiting times for Play Therapy pathways.
- Work alongside the Child and Adolescent Therapists to deliver group therapy, using therapeutic/ creative arts skills when and where required for anticipatory grief and post bereavement interventions.
- Undertake holistic assessments and provide therapeutic plans which support appropriate stimulation for the age and developmental stage of the child/young person.
- Deliver creative art interventions interactively and as a form of expression.
- Take a lead on ensuring a holistic and equitable approach to ensuring all families are offered appropriate memory making, at the right place and at the right time.
- Deliver creative art interventions in a timely and targeted way based on assessed need and with embedded evaluation tools to measure outputs and impact.
- Work with the child and family in the most appropriate setting in line with the principles of child-centred, family focussed care.
- Work with the other professionals where necessary to provide creative art interventions where needed in both the hospice and other community settings including hospitals as part of the professional delivery of a paediatric palliative care service.
- Provide advice, guidance, support and training to fellow members of the Care Services Team with regards to therapeutic engagement and memory work skills, enabling effective holistic care
- Communicate effectively and in a timely and most appropriate manner with colleagues, children and families and maintain accurate, clear and contemporaneous records and documentation in line with Ty Hafans record keeping policy.
- Any other duties appropriate with the band and level of responsibility of this role for which the job holder has the necessary experience and/or training to complete.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of childrens development, assessment and planning for therapeutic interventions, including knowledge of the additional developmental needs of children with complex medical needs and disabilities.
- Ability to plan and organise workload, prioritising as appropriate.
- Well-developed interpersonal, written and verbal skills.
- Knowledge of a range of communication methods.
- IT competent in Word, Outlook, Excel and use of database systems.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the principles of paediatric palliative care and role of childrens hospice.
- Understanding of family dynamics and how these impact on the child.
- Awareness of relevant legislation and guidance covering
Other Requirements
Essential
- Ability to work flexibly to cover a seven-day service.
- Driver with ability to travel across Wales.
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Experience of delivering focused therapeutic interventions through the medium of art to children across a wide range of abilities.
- Experience of delivering therapeutic interventions in multi-sensory environments, adapting methods to support intervention based on capability.
- Experience of working creatively to facilitate memory work (e.g. hand casting, canvas prints, etc)
Desirable
- Experience of working with children with complex and palliative care needs
- Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of supporting people approaching the end of their lives.
- Providing training opportunities.
Key Attributes
Essential
- Our values demonstrating compassion, excellent service, working together and taking ownership
- Personable and approachable with the ability to work in a challenging environment.
- Able to work under pressure and in a high emotional intensity service.
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree qualification in Creative Arts or equivalent.
Desirable
- Bereavement training/certificate.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of childrens development, assessment and planning for therapeutic interventions, including knowledge of the additional developmental needs of children with complex medical needs and disabilities.
- Ability to plan and organise workload, prioritising as appropriate.
- Well-developed interpersonal, written and verbal skills.
- Knowledge of a range of communication methods.
- IT competent in Word, Outlook, Excel and use of database systems.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the principles of paediatric palliative care and role of childrens hospice.
- Understanding of family dynamics and how these impact on the child.
- Awareness of relevant legislation and guidance covering
Other Requirements
Essential
- Ability to work flexibly to cover a seven-day service.
- Driver with ability to travel across Wales.
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Experience of delivering focused therapeutic interventions through the medium of art to children across a wide range of abilities.
- Experience of delivering therapeutic interventions in multi-sensory environments, adapting methods to support intervention based on capability.
- Experience of working creatively to facilitate memory work (e.g. hand casting, canvas prints, etc)
Desirable
- Experience of working with children with complex and palliative care needs
- Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of supporting people approaching the end of their lives.
- Providing training opportunities.
Key Attributes
Essential
- Our values demonstrating compassion, excellent service, working together and taking ownership
- Personable and approachable with the ability to work in a challenging environment.
- Able to work under pressure and in a high emotional intensity service.
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree qualification in Creative Arts or equivalent.
Desirable
- Bereavement training/certificate.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.