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East London NHS Foundation Trust

Arts Therapist

The closing date is 19 September 2025

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Job summary

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.

About us

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.

Details

Date posted

05 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£56,276 to £63,176 a year Per annum pro rata inc HCA

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

363-CH7398956

Job locations

St Leonard's Hospital

Nuttall Street

London

N1 5LZ


Job description

Job 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.

Job description

Job 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

  • Masters in Arts Therapy
  • HCPC Registration
  • Degree in relevant area

Desirable

  • Additional post-qualification training
  • Clinical Supervision Training

Knowledge and skills

Essential

  • Understanding of learning disability context and services
  • MDT working
  • Communication skills - including adapting communication
  • Cultural competency

Desirable

  • Skills in research, audit, service evaluation
  • Fluency in a community language

Experience

Essential

  • 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

  • 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
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Masters in Arts Therapy
  • HCPC Registration
  • Degree in relevant area

Desirable

  • Additional post-qualification training
  • Clinical Supervision Training

Knowledge and skills

Essential

  • Understanding of learning disability context and services
  • MDT working
  • Communication skills - including adapting communication
  • Cultural competency

Desirable

  • Skills in research, audit, service evaluation
  • Fluency in a community language

Experience

Essential

  • 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

  • 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

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

East London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Leonard's Hospital

Nuttall Street

London

N1 5LZ


Employer's website

https://www.elft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

East London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Leonard's Hospital

Nuttall Street

London

N1 5LZ


Employer's website

https://www.elft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Joint Lead Clinical Psychologist

Dr Deborah Chinn

deborah.chinn@hackney.gov.uk

07804614441

Details

Date posted

05 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£56,276 to £63,176 a year Per annum pro rata inc HCA

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

363-CH7398956

Job locations

St Leonard's Hospital

Nuttall Street

London

N1 5LZ


Supporting documents

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