Art Psychotherapist

Job summary

We are excited to advertise for an Art Psychotherapist to join the Inpatient Psychology Team, to support our vision to offer a range of psychological therapies to clients who are receiving care within the psychiatric inpatient wards in Dorset, at St Ann's in Poole. We welcome applications from those with a passion for engaging individuals and staff teams in the unique benefits that Art Psychotherapy can provide, in individual and group formats, and particularly to those clients that may find it difficult to access standard talking therapy approaches.

The Acute Inpatient Psychology Team consists of Clinical/Counselling Psychologists and Assistant Psychologists, with the regular addition where opportunities rise of trainee practitioners such as trainee psychologists and psychotherapists. We pride ourselves in working closely with the multi-disciplinary teams to bring a psychological understanding to patient need across the wards, working alongside our colleagues, to inform care. We routinely offer indirect support to wards in the form of team formulation, consultation and individual/group supervision, according to need. We work hard to support each other at work, and endeavour build good working relationships with the teams we liaise and work with.

This is a fixed term role and for those with current NHS service, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only. Please obtain permission to be released on a secondment before submitting an application.

Main duties of the job

You will be offering specialist psychological assessment and therapy, as well as offering advice and consultation on clients' psychological care to non-psychologist colleagues and those involved in a person's care.

You will be passionate about delivering a service in often challenging environments, working into a variety of wards, according to need and capacity, but with the support of our well-established inpatient psychology team. You will receive supervision according to your needs, and will be welcome to join with our professional development events and training.

You will provide a specialist art psychotherapy offer within the psychiatric inpatient wards.

You will liaise with the inpatient psychology team, wards MDTS and community services when required.

You will receive regular supervision.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do, and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion, and expertise in all we do.

Details

Date posted

20 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£19,124 to £21,884 a year p.a.

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

152-M374.25

Job locations

St Ann's Hospital

69 Haven Road

Poole

BH13 7LN

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare is working in partnership with The Princes Trust to support people getting into work, as part of this partnership, we are offering an employability service to support individuals between 16-30 years old with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare is working in partnership with The Princes Trust to support people getting into work, as part of this partnership, we are offering an employability service to support individuals between 16-30 years old with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential

• Art Therapy Qualification
• Registered with HCPC
• Extensive post-qualification experience in mental health

Experience

Essential

• Experience of individual and group work within specialist service
• High level of communication skills
• Specialist knowledge and application of best practice of art therapy in mental health

Experience

Essential

• Ability to provide and use clinical supervision

Knowledge

Essential

• Applied knowledge of mental health legislation including MCA and MHA

Experience

Essential

• Effective team working skills

Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential

• Art Therapy Qualification
• Registered with HCPC
• Extensive post-qualification experience in mental health

Experience

Essential

• Experience of individual and group work within specialist service
• High level of communication skills
• Specialist knowledge and application of best practice of art therapy in mental health

Experience

Essential

• Ability to provide and use clinical supervision

Knowledge

Essential

• Applied knowledge of mental health legislation including MCA and MHA

Experience

Essential

• Effective team working skills

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.

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.

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

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Ann's Hospital

69 Haven Road

Poole

BH13 7LN

Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Ann's Hospital

69 Haven Road

Poole

BH13 7LN

Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)