Job summary Later Life INPATIENT MUSIC PSYCHOTHERAPY POST Are you passionate about providing Music Psychotherapies to people in Later Life in an Acute Inpatient setting? We are looking to recruit for a part time music psychotherapist to work on a Dementia Ward and a Functional Mental Health Ward. The post will provide Music Psychotherapy within Later Life Inpatient Therapies serving North Somerset Locality. Based at Long Fox Unit, Weston super Mare, the team serves older adults with functional and organic mental health illnesses, admitted for assessment and treatment. Our two previous post holders have been highly valued by patients and staff, and have made a real difference to our Later Life wards. Main duties of the job You will be joining an active later life therapies team which includes Art Psychotherapy, Psychology, Occupational Therapy, and Physiotherapy, an experienced multi-professional team focused on delivering a quality service for adults in later life, and their carers. You willjoin a wider Psychological Therapies Service for Adult and Later Life Mental Health in North Somerset. The role of Arts Psychotherapists is to offer opportunities to use creative media and perspectives to facilitate an assessment of patients' potential to engage with therapeutic approaches to their symptoms and situations, using group and individual contacts as appropriate. The Music Psychotherapist will contribute to assessments, formulations, treatment interventions and discharge plans. Good recording and communication of interventions and collaborative working with colleagues across disciplines is particularly important in these environments where service user communication can be limited. About us We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care. We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset. Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care. At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger. Date posted 24 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time Reference number 342-NS023-0325 Job locations Long Fox Unit Grange Rd Weston super Mare BS24 4TQ Job description Job responsibilities Clinical 1. To provide a specialist Music Psychotherapy service including assessment and treatment, using advanced levels of skill, for individual and group shorter and longer-term Music Psychotherapy and to advise teams in relation to service users complex needs and the range of interventions available.2. To carry out assessments and consultation to inform and enable comprehensive information gathering to establish diagnosis, re service users who present with unclear symptoms and complex mental health difficulties.3. Regularly review and evaluate the therapy including levels of risk as part of the Personal Wellbeing Plan process.4. Communicate with empathy and sensitivity with service users and carers with an awareness and understanding of their problems and often complex issues.5. To be responsible for own specialist caseload working within Trust policies, protocols and guidelines.6. To record service users progress in RIO patient records, write reports and input statistical date.7. To engage in reflective practice and clinical supervision and to offer clinical supervision to arts psychotherapy staff and other colleagues, as required. To arrange and attend professional, team and specialist clinical supervision as appropriate to caseload. Professional 8. Communicate effectively with members of clinical teams, managers and other professional colleagues both representing and providing a Music Psychotherapy perspective.9. Work with Managers and Locality leads to ensure that all new, current or adapted Music Psychotherapy space/rooms conform to professional association standards and Standards for Better Health, and provide an adequate, appropriate and safe therapeutic environment in which to practice.10. To be responsible for ensuring that all musical works, and digital and other recordings are appropriately stored in line with HCPC, professional associations guidelines and Trust policy.11. To work within professional codes of practice and to Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards. To work using the best and evidence based practice.12. To work effectively as a team member. Training and Staff Development 13. To maintain high standards of practice, demonstrate ongoing personal development through active participation in internal and external development and training opportunities, recording learning outcomes in a CPD portfolio to fulfil HCPC standards.14. To engage in the appraisal process and own CPD and appraisal and CPD of junior/unqualified staff where appropriate. To ensure continuous engagement in ones own music making process in line with HCPC standards.15. To be responsible for the planning and organisation of placements for students including visits to other departments and evaluation of their progress. To supervise, support and mentor students on placement where appropriate. To be responsible for providing both verbal and written reports for universities and training establishments regarding studentssuitability to qualify.16. To educate other professionals and their students about Music Psychotherapy and provide specialist advice. This may include presentations.17. To engage in ongoing statutory and mandatory training. Service and Policy Development 18. To keep locality Head/Lead Arts Psychotherapist area Manager informed about local service developments, requirements, shortfalls and gaps in the service and input into team service development plans. Trust wide strategy and audit. To be responsible for contributing to relevant policy and procedures.19. To input and make proposals for the development of protocols and guidelines and input into the development of an Arts Psychotherapy strategy. To input into the Trust policy and procedures within the work area with particular reference to therapeutic issues. Health and Safety 20. To be responsible for ensuring safe use of materials and equipment and work within health and safety policies and guidelines. Identify training needs for self and junior/unqualified staff where applicable.21. To undertake specific training, keep records and be responsible for monitoring and maintaining health and safety and security of self and others in own work area. Ensure regular health and safety training and updating for self and any junior/unqualified staff for which responsible.22. To be responsible for and manage delegated Music Therapy equipment and materials budget, as appropriate. To order and maintain equipment in line with COSHH and Health and Safety requirements. To risk assess the use of musical equipment in clinical settings. Research and Development 23. To carry out or participate in research and clinical outcomes assessment to ensure best and evidenced based practice; to evaluate relevant current research, integrate into practice and disseminate to others.24. To carry out or participate in audits and surveys to inform planning and ensure safe practice in line with clinical governance.25. To collaborate with other specialist staff in designated area to extend the range of specialist psychological and group interventions available across the Area. Job description Job responsibilities Clinical 1. To provide a specialist Music Psychotherapy service including assessment and treatment, using advanced levels of skill, for individual and group shorter and longer-term Music Psychotherapy and to advise teams in relation to service users complex needs and the range of interventions available.2. To carry out assessments and consultation to inform and enable comprehensive information gathering to establish diagnosis, re service users who present with unclear symptoms and complex mental health difficulties.3. Regularly review and evaluate the therapy including levels of risk as part of the Personal Wellbeing Plan process.4. Communicate with empathy and sensitivity with service users and carers with an awareness and understanding of their problems and often complex issues.5. To be responsible for own specialist caseload working within Trust policies, protocols and guidelines.6. To record service users progress in RIO patient records, write reports and input statistical date.7. To engage in reflective practice and clinical supervision and to offer clinical supervision to arts psychotherapy staff and other colleagues, as required. To arrange and attend professional, team and specialist clinical supervision as appropriate to caseload. Professional 8. Communicate effectively with members of clinical teams, managers and other professional colleagues both representing and providing a Music Psychotherapy perspective.9. Work with Managers and Locality leads to ensure that all new, current or adapted Music Psychotherapy space/rooms conform to professional association standards and Standards for Better Health, and provide an adequate, appropriate and safe therapeutic environment in which to practice.10. To be responsible for ensuring that all musical works, and digital and other recordings are appropriately stored in line with HCPC, professional associations guidelines and Trust policy.11. To work within professional codes of practice and to Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards. To work using the best and evidence based practice.12. To work effectively as a team member. Training and Staff Development 13. To maintain high standards of practice, demonstrate ongoing personal development through active participation in internal and external development and training opportunities, recording learning outcomes in a CPD portfolio to fulfil HCPC standards.14. To engage in the appraisal process and own CPD and appraisal and CPD of junior/unqualified staff where appropriate. To ensure continuous engagement in ones own music making process in line with HCPC standards.15. To be responsible for the planning and organisation of placements for students including visits to other departments and evaluation of their progress. To supervise, support and mentor students on placement where appropriate. To be responsible for providing both verbal and written reports for universities and training establishments regarding studentssuitability to qualify.16. To educate other professionals and their students about Music Psychotherapy and provide specialist advice. This may include presentations.17. To engage in ongoing statutory and mandatory training. Service and Policy Development 18. To keep locality Head/Lead Arts Psychotherapist area Manager informed about local service developments, requirements, shortfalls and gaps in the service and input into team service development plans. Trust wide strategy and audit. To be responsible for contributing to relevant policy and procedures.19. To input and make proposals for the development of protocols and guidelines and input into the development of an Arts Psychotherapy strategy. To input into the Trust policy and procedures within the work area with particular reference to therapeutic issues. Health and Safety 20. To be responsible for ensuring safe use of materials and equipment and work within health and safety policies and guidelines. Identify training needs for self and junior/unqualified staff where applicable.21. To undertake specific training, keep records and be responsible for monitoring and maintaining health and safety and security of self and others in own work area. Ensure regular health and safety training and updating for self and any junior/unqualified staff for which responsible.22. To be responsible for and manage delegated Music Therapy equipment and materials budget, as appropriate. To order and maintain equipment in line with COSHH and Health and Safety requirements. To risk assess the use of musical equipment in clinical settings. Research and Development 23. To carry out or participate in research and clinical outcomes assessment to ensure best and evidenced based practice; to evaluate relevant current research, integrate into practice and disseminate to others.24. To carry out or participate in audits and surveys to inform planning and ensure safe practice in line with clinical governance.25. To collaborate with other specialist staff in designated area to extend the range of specialist psychological and group interventions available across the Area. Person Specification Documented and demonstrated at interview Essential MA in Music Therapy or Music Psychotherapy Current HCPC registration or intent and eligible to register Some experience in delivering music Psychotherapy or Therapy in Mental Health context Desirable Training in area of dementia or functional mental health conditions specific to Later Life Demonstrated interest in working with Later Life client group, as shown by previous work experience or training Experience of working with presentations of trauma and/or psychosis using Music Psychotherapy Experience and/or training in managing challenging behaviour Experience of working with a team Evidence of a flexible, collaborative approach to therapeutic delivery Experience with people in Later Life in a caring or professional role Essential Type and years of experience Person Specification Documented and demonstrated at interview Essential MA in Music Therapy or Music Psychotherapy Current HCPC registration or intent and eligible to register Some experience in delivering music Psychotherapy or Therapy in Mental Health context Desirable Training in area of dementia or functional mental health conditions specific to Later Life Demonstrated interest in working with Later Life client group, as shown by previous work experience or training Experience of working with presentations of trauma and/or psychosis using Music Psychotherapy Experience and/or training in managing challenging behaviour Experience of working with a team Evidence of a flexible, collaborative approach to therapeutic delivery Experience with people in Later Life in a caring or professional role Essential Type and years of experience Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust Address Long Fox Unit Grange Rd Weston super Mare BS24 4TQ Employer's website http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)