Job Description

Are you looking for an Art Psychotherapy position in Adult Learning Disability that is as part of a supportive, innovative and engaged MDT that delivers excellent care and improves the lives of people with a learning disability?
This post is an exciting opportunity for an Art Psychotherapist who wishes to further develop their specialist skills working with adults with learning disabilities including autism.
As a result of service changes this is a new Band 7 post dedicated to Bexley Community Learning Disabilities Team, for 2 days a week currently, to maintain and further develop the art psychotherapy provision for adults with varying degrees of learning disability, some of whom have complex needs including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, mental health difficulties and/or challenging behaviour.
You will work as part of the Bexley multi-disciplinary community learning disability team, within the psychological therapies sub-team.
There is another Art Therapist co-located within the Bromley CLDT, and another in the Greenwich CLDT based at a different location. We also have a Music Therapist in all 3 boroughs so it is an exciting time within creative therapies in Oxleas ALD service.
The Bexley CLDT is based at Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup.
Main duties of the job
To assess clients with complex and high risk needs for suitability for individual and group Art therapy. To facilitate a treatment program which is flexible and sensitive to the needs of the clients group and involve clients in 1:1 and Group work, using a variety of art materials in a therapeutic and creative way.
To work as part of a multidisciplinary team in planning, implementing and evaluating treatment, providing assessment and treatment for clients referred to the service and evaluate care.
To provide specialist advice and clinical supervision for other professionals, colleagues or trainees.
The post holder will show proof of commitment to continuing professional development.
About us
Oxleas offers a wide range of NHS healthcare services to people in community and secure environment settings. Our services include community health care such as district nursing and speech and language therapy, care for people with learning disabilities and mental health care such as psychiatry, nursing and therapies. Our multidisciplinary teams look after people of all ages and we work in close partnership with other parts of the NHS, local councils and the voluntary sector and through our new provider collaboratives. Our 4,300 members of staff work in many different settings including hospitals, clinics, prisons, secure hospitals, children's centres, schools and people's homes.We have over 125 sites in a variety of locations in the South of England. In London we operate within the Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley Greenwich and into Kent. We manage hospital sites including Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup and Memorial Hospital, Woolwich, as well as the Bracton Centre, our medium secure unit for people with mental health needs. We are the largest NHS provider of prison health services providing healthcare to prisons within Devon, Dorset, Bristol, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, Kent and South London. We are proud of the care we provide and our people.
Our purpose is to improve lives by providing the best possible care to our patients and their families. This is strengthened by our new values:

• We're Kind
• We're Fair
• We Listen
• We Care

Details
Date posted
20 October 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
53,751 to 60,651 a year pro rata pa inc
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
277-7547090-ALD
Job locations
Queen Mary's Hospital
Frognal Avenue
Sidcup
DA14 6LP
Job description
Job responsibilities
To work independently, designing and establishing a specialist clinical Art therapy service for clients.
To liaise with other members of the multidisciplinary team around treatment outcomes, referrals and formulation to ensure the service meets client needs while working within professional boundaries and HPC ethics and code of conduct.
To maintain own patient records, write reports for consultants and other professionals to make recommendations, and feedback on patients treatment.
To be able to access and disseminate up to date research and information in support of clinical work.
To have excellent written and oral communication skills, maintain electronic records, support data collection and be computer literate in line with trust standards.
The post holder will be able to work closely, in a sensitive and thoughtful way with disturbing and traumatic emotional material on a continuing daily basis with clients with learning disabilities and mental health issues. The work may involve working therapeutically with people with challenging behaviours displaying verbal and physical aggression and clients who may be resistive to change. Job description
Job responsibilities
To work independently, designing and establishing a specialist clinical Art therapy service for clients.
To liaise with other members of the multidisciplinary team around treatment outcomes, referrals and formulation to ensure the service meets client needs while working within professional boundaries and HPC ethics and code of conduct.
To maintain own patient records, write reports for consultants and other professionals to make recommendations, and feedback on patients treatment.
To be able to access and disseminate up to date research and information in support of clinical work.
To have excellent written and oral communication skills, maintain electronic records, support data collection and be computer literate in line with trust standards.
The post holder will be able to work closely, in a sensitive and thoughtful way with disturbing and traumatic emotional material on a continuing daily basis with clients with learning disabilities and mental health issues. The work may involve working therapeutically with people with challenging behaviours displaying verbal and physical aggression and clients who may be resistive to change.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential

• Study to degree standard in Art/Design
• MA in Art Psychotherapy
• Registration with the British Association of Art Therapists

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working with a variety of client groups presenting with a range of clinical diversity including acute wards and community.
• Experience of working autonomously and organising own client case load and timetable.
• Experience of teaching and holding workshops with colleagues in other professions to further understanding and scope of Art Psychotherapy
• Experience of at least 3 years personal psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
Essential

• To have excellent interpersonal, observational skills and communicate complex information to clients, relatives and other professionals involved in client care.
• To work effectively and in a meaningful way with clients with learning difficulties, behavioural and mental health problems and liaise with carers.
• To be computer literate in line with trust standards. To be able/willing to learn power point for presentations
• To have required skills for assessing clinical/non clinical risks and suitability of clients for Art therapy treatment program and other therapies. To arrange discharge and follow up treatment as required.

Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential

• Study to degree standard in Art/Design
• MA in Art Psychotherapy
• Registration with the British Association of Art Therapists

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working with a variety of client groups presenting with a range of clinical diversity including acute wards and community.
• Experience of working autonomously and organising own client case load and timetable.
• Experience of teaching and holding workshops with colleagues in other professions to further understanding and scope of Art Psychotherapy
• Experience of at least 3 years personal psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
Essential

• To have excellent interpersonal, observational skills and communicate complex information to clients, relatives and other professionals involved in client care.
• To work effectively and in a meaningful way with clients with learning difficulties, behavioural and mental health problems and liaise with carers.
• To be computer literate in line with trust standards. To be able/willing to learn power point for presentations
• To have required skills for assessing clinical/non clinical risks and suitability of clients for Art therapy treatment program and other therapies. To arrange discharge and follow up treatment as required.

Skills Required