Job Description

We are looking for an experienced and dynamic Arts Psychotherapist to take on a shared leadership role for an established arts psychotherapy team in the forensic directorate. The arts therapies are embedded across our services in the medium secure, low secure and forensic community services. The post holder will share the role with one of the existing part-time leads for a fixed term of 12 months to cover a period of maternity leave. Applicants may come from any arts psychotherapy modality and will link into the arts therapies leadership structure for East London NHS Foundation Trust. The Trust is an inclusive organisation and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
Main duties of the job
1. To be responsible for the overall provision of a specialist Arts Therapies assessment and treatment service for adults within the Forensic Directorate
2. To be responsible for all operational aspects of the Arts Therapies Service within the Forensic Directorate and ensure that clear systems are in place and working effectively for management and productivity
3. To lead in the development of the Arts Therapies service, including proposing and implementing service developments within the area served by the team and in liaison with the Directorate Management Team, Trust Strategic Lead and Professional Leadfor Arts Therapies, and other Head Arts Therapists in the Trust.
4. To manage and supervise the Arts Therapists and trainee Arts Therapists across the Forensic Directorate
5. To provide specialist Arts Therapies assessment and treatment for own clinical caseload
6. To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the Arts Therapies service and to understand and contribute research and quality improvement in relevant specialist fields
7. To establish and maintain good working relationships with all other operational and clinical managers in both inpatient and community settings in the Forensic Directorate
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
11 July 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8a
Salary
61,927 to 68,676 a year per annum pro rata Inc HCAs
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
363-FOR7281734
Job locations
John Howard Centre
12 Kenworthy Road
London
E9 5TD
Job description
Job responsibilities
Kindly refer to the job description and person specification that is attached to the vacancy profile. Job description
Job responsibilities
Kindly refer to the job description and person specification that is attached to the vacancy profile.
Person Specification
Education/Training & Qualifications
Essential

• For Art, Music or Drama Therapist Registration with the HCPC For Dance Movement Psychotherapists - Full Member Registration with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
• Membership of own Arts Therapy professional body
• Training in risk assessment and risk management
• Clinical Supervision Training
• Further training in an area of psychological practice relevant to the post's clinical area

Experience
Essential

• Substantial post-qualification experience of providing highly specialist arts therapeutic assessment and treatment interventions for patients within forensic services with complex problems and reflecting a wide range of clinical severity and/or comorbid difficulties such as dual diagnosis, personality disorder or learning disabilities

Person Specification
Education/Training & Qualifications
Essential

• For Art, Music or Drama Therapist Registration with the HCPC For Dance Movement Psychotherapists - Full Member Registration with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
• Membership of own Arts Therapy professional body
• Training in risk assessment and risk management
• Clinical Supervision Training
• Further training in an area of psychological practice relevant to the post's clinical area

Experience
Essential

• Substantial post-qualification experience of providing highly specialist arts therapeutic assessment and treatment interventions for patients within forensic services with complex problems and reflecting a wide range of clinical severity and/or comorbid difficulties such as dual diagnosis, personality disorder or learning disabilities