Arts Therapist (Music, Art, Drama, Dance Movement)

Posting date:	26 November 2025
Salary:	£47,810.00 to £54,710.00 per year
Additional salary information:	£47810.00 - £54710.00 a year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	15 December 2025
Location:	Bedford, MK41 6AT
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	C9363-25-1257

Summary

Develop and provide Arts Therapies to service users with a range of mental/health needs in a range of settings as required Plan and develop specialist Arts Therapies in liaison with the Head Arts Therapist and Multi-disciplinary colleagues Assess referred service users, plan and deliver Arts Therapies interventions including in-patient service user/out-patient service user follow-up as required, taking into account risk factors, and complexity of presentation, service users need, and service priorities Use own clinical skills to contribute to the overall treatment and personal recovery goals for the service user during and beyond Arts Therapies input Where required by the Multi-disciplinary team, facilitate reflective practice input, joint assessments and joint working Contribute own specialist knowledge from assessment and treatment to the overall care plan for each service user through contribution to clinical meetings e.g. ward rounds, tribunals, via written reports, as well as verbal feedback to teams Refer on other appropriate services after assessment or on discharge Work as an integrated and collaborative team member, respecting others ways of working and holding in mind other assessment, treatment and support which may be being provided alongside Arts Therapies input Adapt as required clinical practice to suit particular challenges of the environment including the setting of aims and goals appropriate to service users needs and setting Assess risk and adopt appropriate measures to maintain a safe and therapeutically sensitive environment for all Maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times and maintain appropriate boundaries Undertake ongoing evaluation of service users progress to manage time limited therapy effectively including therapy endings and follow up Seek out help of senior staff or more experienced Arts therapists in this field to enhance own clinical practice, including sources from within and outside the Trust, and share this knowledge through the Arts Therapies networks within the Trust Facilitate placements for trainee Arts Therapists, along with provision of their placement management and clinical supervision Responsible for clinical input into Trusts Arts Therapies Research and Quality Improvement as identified Work autonomously, referring when necessary to clinical and managerial supervision support Facilitate communication between therapist and service user through the use of any adaptive communication techniques, devices or approaches Ensure own ethical practice by working with your professional bodys of Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Clinical Practice and abiding by the Health and Care Professions Council requirements for ongoing Registration and Trusts Confidentiality policies Make clinical judgements with regard to confidentiality Contribute to the development of promotional information that is accessible to service users and staff informing them of the nature of Arts Therapies and how and when they can access the service Manage a client caseload in response to users needs and the remit of the service with senior support Exercise specialised professional and clinical judgement in complex clinical cases and refer to senior staff when necessary Make decisions in terms of day-to-day management of own time, in collaboration with the MDT and Head of Arts Therapies/designated Manager Follow correct Trust procedures and seek advice regarding incidents and complaints Have a working knowledge of, and adhere to, current legislation applicable to clinical area, including the Mental Health Act, the care act, Health and safety, governance and data protection and recovery focused practice Balance service demand with own case load, ensuring that Arts Therapies referrals are managed efficiently and that there is sufficient throughput Maintain accurate service users records including clinical note keeping, report writing, in accordance with relevant national and Trust policies. Collect statistics relating to service reporting requirements Take a lead on designated projects with senior support Provide regular line management supervision including annual appraisals for those for whom you have line management responsibility Understand and implement policies and requirements of the relevant Service line Provide regular professional and clinical supervision for junior and less experienced staff as required Ensure the safekeeping and confidentiality of all records and to advise honorary and trainee staff on these requirements Ensure that Trust Policy is adhered to for those whom line management responsibility is held, taking appropriate action regarding complaints and untoward incidents Oversee delegated project management and required supervision of Arts Therapies and Arts in Health projects Take an active part in own line management supervision, including own appraisal Make use of established communication systems within the service line and related organisations Maintain knowledge and awareness of operational issues relating to clinical practice Play an active role in shaping the wider teams philosophy of care, service aims, mode of operation and policies, through attendance at team meetings, away days and other development forums Adhere to and act on Clinical Governance being particularly mindful where this pertains to the Arts Therapies and advise trainee, honorary staff on requirements Demonstrate good knowledge in own practice and be able to advise staff on matters related to diversity and equality in clinical and professional relationships as defined by the Equalities Act Educate other professionals through workshops, presentations and training Provide further trainee training opportunities as a trainee co-worker as required Provide clinical supervision to allocated trainees Allocate service users to Arts Therapies trainees holding responsible for these caseloads and for clinically supervising the input provided by trainees to service users Compile assessments and reports on Arts Therapies trainees progress, attend meetings organised by training institutions and contribute to good relations between training institutions and the Trust Be actively involved in recruitment processes, including development of job descriptions, person specs and advertising Sit on interview panels as required for the recruitment and selection of Arts therapists and/ or other team members where appropriate Make full and appropriate use of regular clinical supervision Assess own training and development needs and ensure they are met through negotiation designated line manager Undertake continuous professional development as required for professional registration Undertake Trust mandatory training as required Review regularly service delivery, proposing and making appropriate changes to develop the service, balancing the views and needs of service users, carers and MDT staff and Trust wide or local policy changes, in consultation with Head of Arts Therapies or designated line manager Promote and apply evidenced based practice to service delivery Take part in and promote Quality Improvement work in all aspects of your role Keep abreast of new developments and research in Arts Therapies To participate in Trust-wide Clinical Interest groups undertaking delegated tasks as appropriate Participate in planned Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and maintain a personal CPD portfolio that meets professional registration requirements Ensure own development through regular participation in clinical supervision/consultation process and participation in other training opportunities within the Trust Be responsible for the maintenance, physical storage and setting out of any Arts Therapies equipment including the moving of furniture within health and safety guidelines Ensure confidentiality of service users Arts Therapies work made/audio/video recorded as part of therapy and the safe and confidential storage of such service user material during therapy and post discharge Be responsible for and check the stock of Arts Therapies equipment on a regular basis, advising on orders and replacements Exert physical effort in moving equipment and furniture, e.g. when setting up a room for group work or transporting records of users clinical work to and from supervision Exert physical effort in the execution of your arts therapies work Undertake intense concentration for clinical interventions on both a one-to-one and group basis