What skills and experience we're looking for
We are looking for an enthusiastic and resilient Art Therapist to join our school to provide intensive specialist support for pupils. We seek a therapist who wants to develop their skills and knowledge in a specialist educational setting from Key Stage 1 and 2. Confidence and experience of working with children with complex Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs is essential.
Key aspects of your role will include:
• Assess children’s needs using relevant assessment methods; and to provide art therapy sessions in accordance with the requirements of needs identified and in line with the requirements of the school
• Provide individual and group arts therapy to pupils, helping pupils to decide on, and implement appropriate courses of action
• Writing reports of pupils’ progress and interventions used in Art Therapy e.g. for ARA, CAMHS, Social Services, and well as maintaining case records, completing written reports, and fulfilling procedures and statutory duties in line with the school’s policy British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT)
• You will also be required to participate and deliver training where appropriate within the school
You will:
• Be able to provide 1:1, paired and group interventions both in and outside of the classroom setting, in order to meet provision outlined on pupil’s Education, Health and Care Plans
• Support the pupils with specific areas of difficulty, and have specific knowledge and experience in developing interventions to target social and psychological needs
• Be confident in implementing strategies to manage pupils’ emotional regulation, to increase engagement in learning and develop pupils’ self-esteem
• Support in the development and coordination of a new sensory room within the school
• Attend multi-displinary meetings and provide training for the Education team, Pupil Support team, Safeguarding team and Therapy team to provide updates on pupil progress, encourage effective sharing of research and knowledge and to develop sound understanding of the needs of the pupils
• Be able to advise parents and carers with the management of students’ emotional regulation and sensory needs at home
• Maintain succinct clinical notes, complete relevant assessments highlighting issues of concern to the teams around the pupils and track progress, to ensure pupil data is available to inform future planning.
This is a unique opportunity to develop specialist clinical skills within an educational environment, offering the chance to work collaboratively with a range of professionals and to use therapeutic skills creatively to meet the needs of pupils and students. In return we offer excellent support from colleagues and staff, commitment to CPD, access to internal and external training.
What the school offers its staff
Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details on the role and the skills, experience and knowledge we are looking for.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.