Job Description

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn



We are seeking a highly motivated, person centred individual with excellent communication skills to work with us in our well established Community Learning Disability Team.



We aim to provide high quality, community based, integrated services for adults with learning disabilities. As such, we are seeking a specialist Art Therapist with a passion for working within and improving learning disability services.



You will have experience of working therapeutically with people with learning disabilities in a variety of settings and of working with people who have complex mental and/or physical health needs, autism and complex behavioural needs. You will be an experienced therapist who relishes multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working, who can work creatively to secure good outcomes and embrace new ways of working. An active interest in academic research is also highly desirable.



The Team are clinically and professionally supportive, pro-psychology and provide frequent opportunities for creative and collaborative joint working. MDT colleagues include nurses, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and psychiatry. You will be an important member of the MDT.

JOB PURPOSE:

You will work County-wide across South Staffordshire with a base a St George's Hospital Stafford. MPFT is embracing blended ways of working, combining face-to-face work with service users alongside the use of digital platforms (as appropriate).



You will be a member of the multi-disciplinary team and will provide specific psychotherapeutic interventions in the form of art therapy to South Staffordshire's CLDT. This will involve individual, group and family work. Interventions will help to improve quality of life and psychological wellbeing. Interventions will also reduce the risk of placement breakdown, use of restrictive practices and/or admissions to mental health settings due to mental health needs.



You will be a resource for the whole team in relation to creative therapeutic interventions/approaches including working with people who can be difficult to engage.



In addition to clients assessed as requiring art therapy, the post holder may also undertake generic initial assessment for the CLDT and participate in a shared clinical coordination rota (duty calls and processing referrals).



This role will have training, supervision and leadership responsibilities where appropriate and some responsibility for service developments/ improvements.



Supervision and support will be available from a senior clinician of an appropriate discipline within the LD team or wider Specialist Care Group as appropriate plus specialist clinical supervision from an Art Therapist.



Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.



We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.



We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.



We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.



Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications



Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide assessment and art psychotherapy interventions for people with a learning disability (individual and group therapy). People may be 'hard to treat', and difficult to engage in other forms of psychological treatment. Responsible for providing advice and guidance on art therapy and creative methods of assessment and treatment to other members of the multi-disciplinary team. Occasionally provides assessment and advice for service-users expressing thoughts of self-harm or experiencing high levels of emotional distress. Participation in shared clinical coordinator role in team - processing referrals and taking duty calls. The provision of consultation, specialised advice, case support, clinical supervision and training are important ongoing elements of this post. Participate in intake assessment meetings when required. * Prepare reports, summaries and letters to relevant parties within the limits of professional confidentiality.