Arts Therapist/ Psychotherapist - Dunstable EB

Job summary

We are looking for a creative, forward thinking and motivated Psychotherapist or Arts Therapist to join our friendly and professional multi-disciplinary Emotional & Behavioural (core) CAMHS Team based in Dunstable, within the South Bedfordshire Specialist CAMHS Service.

This post will deliver a Psychotherapy / Arts Therapies service within Dunstable CAMHS. The post holder will offer flexible, evidence-based care, assessments and interventions, including specialist and generic CAMHS assessments and consultation to other clinical pathways within the Dunstable area (e.g. local CAMHS schools teams).

Main duties of the job

This senior role will also have designated input into supporting wider clinical and management supervision for CAMHS Therapists. They will work with the South Bedfordshire CAMHS Lead for Psychotherapy / Arts Therapies to develop the discipline and contribute to the co-ordination and development of Dunstable area CAMHS trainees. They will liaise with colleagues in providing specialist training promoting the use of Psychotherapy / the development of recovery focused Arts therapies practice including co-produced approaches with experts through experience.

The post holder will be supported by management and specialist clinical supervision and will attend monthly Psychotherapy / Arts Therapists meeting.

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.

This post is based close to the M1 and easily reached by car from North London, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire. The clinic also has the added benefit of free parking and all clinicians are supported by very dedicated and efficient administrative staff.Most of the work will be based in the clinic when not remote working, but access to a car is helpful. The Trust has an arrangement for 50% discount on season ticket fares with Thameslink, the rail provider, for its staff. A generous relocation package is available if you need to move to access this job.

The post is funded to 8A but we would consider applications from newly qualified or less experienced clinicians who would be interested in a band 7 to 8A preceptorship position. At band 7, you would not be expected to be a primary supervisor, and involvement with provision of training, QI projects and leadership roles would be reduced. Your supervisor would support you in working towards an 8A position via achievement of learning objectives.

Details

Date posted

26 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

363-SSLB7493059

Job locations

Beech Close Resource Centre

Beech Road

Dunstable

LU6 3SD

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information or to arrange an informal visit, please contact:

Ramona Barsalona, Arts Therapist via ramona.barsalona1@nhs.net

Hillel Mirvis, Senior Psychotherapist via hillel.mirvis@nhs.net

Dr Louise Scrivener, Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Team Lead, Dunstable CAMHS, tel 01582 707635 or via louise.scrivener1@nhs.net

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information or to arrange an informal visit, please contact:

Ramona Barsalona, Arts Therapist via ramona.barsalona1@nhs.net

Hillel Mirvis, Senior Psychotherapist via hillel.mirvis@nhs.net

Dr Louise Scrivener, Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Team Lead, Dunstable CAMHS, tel 01582 707635 or via louise.scrivener1@nhs.net

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

• oHigh standard of verbal communication skills including the ability to provide concise, clear and relevant feedback to a ward round or MDT meeting
• oComputer literacy and a high standard of written communication skills including the ability to produce clear reports detailing progress of therapy, selecting relevant information from sessions and presenting this without bias
• oDeveloped interpersonal skills enabling therapeutic alliances to be developed and maintained with clients
• oAbility to treat Service Users with respect and dignity at all times, adopting a culturally sensitive approach which considers the whole person

Desirable

• oProven ability in standard setting and audit implementation
• oProven ability to undertake research

Experience

Essential

• oPrevious experience of working as a psychotherapist/arts therapist in a core CAMHS team
• oExperience of working in a multi-disciplinary community CAMHS and working within a multi-agency network
• oExperience of managing and supervising junior staff

Desirable

• oExperience of service development
• oExperience of working in a culturally diverse area
• oExperience of running reflective practice sessions for other disciplines and agencies

Qualifications

Essential

• oQualified as Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist
• oRegistered member of ACP
• oRegistration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Music therapist, Art therapist/Art Psychotherapist or Dramatherapist OR For Dance Movement Psychotherapists Registration with ADMP UK
• oEducated to Masters level or equivalent, or have a demonstrable experience of senior professional, clinical and management
• oA demonstrable record of continuing professional development and relevant post graduate qualification or training in specialist knowledge and skills

Desirable

• oClinical Supervision Training

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

• oHigh standard of verbal communication skills including the ability to provide concise, clear and relevant feedback to a ward round or MDT meeting
• oComputer literacy and a high standard of written communication skills including the ability to produce clear reports detailing progress of therapy, selecting relevant information from sessions and presenting this without bias
• oDeveloped interpersonal skills enabling therapeutic alliances to be developed and maintained with clients
• oAbility to treat Service Users with respect and dignity at all times, adopting a culturally sensitive approach which considers the whole person

Desirable

• oProven ability in standard setting and audit implementation
• oProven ability to undertake research

Experience

Essential

• oPrevious experience of working as a psychotherapist/arts therapist in a core CAMHS team
• oExperience of working in a multi-disciplinary community CAMHS and working within a multi-agency network
• oExperience of managing and supervising junior staff

Desirable

• oExperience of service development
• oExperience of working in a culturally diverse area
• oExperience of running reflective practice sessions for other disciplines and agencies

Qualifications

Essential

• oQualified as Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist
• oRegistered member of ACP
• oRegistration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Music therapist, Art therapist/Art Psychotherapist or Dramatherapist OR For Dance Movement Psychotherapists Registration with ADMP UK
• oEducated to Masters level or equivalent, or have a demonstrable experience of senior professional, clinical and management
• oA demonstrable record of continuing professional development and relevant post graduate qualification or training in specialist knowledge and skills

Desirable

• oClinical Supervision Training

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

East London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Beech Close Resource Centre

Beech Road

Dunstable

LU6 3SD

Employer's website

https://www.elft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

East London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Beech Close Resource Centre

Beech Road

Dunstable

LU6 3SD

Employer's website

https://www.elft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)