Psychotherapist (Art Therapist - Psychological Therapies/ Adoption Support and Trauma) – Transform Lives with Oakdale Location: Halifax / Hybrid Hours: Flexible (part-time/full-time with a minimum requirement of 0.6 FTE) Salary: £48,126.75 - £59,590.65 FTE dependant on experience Make a Difference Every Day At Oakdale, we believe in care that changes lives. For over 25 years, we’ve been delivering trusted, evidence-based therapies and assessments for children, young people, and adults. As a values-driven, not-for-profit organisation, we work with the NHS, schools, local authorities, and private clients, always putting people first. Now, we’re looking for a compassionate and skilled Art Therapist to join our supportive, forward-thinking team. If you’re passionate about clinical excellence, wellbeing, and making a genuine impact, we’d love to hear from you. The Role – What You’ll Do The role will identify and deliver relevant assessments and interventions to adults, children and families accessing the psychological therapies service. We are particularly interested to hear from a compassionate Art Therapist with experience of providing high-quality and trauma-informed therapy to those affected by complex or developmental trauma and related presentations, and who is committed to ethical, reflective, and evidence-based practice. As part of their role, the post holder will provide specialist therapeutic input within the Adoption Support Service and must therefore demonstrate significant experience of working with adopted/ SGO/ Looked after children, as well as parents, carers and families affected by developmental trauma and attachment-related difficulties. The post is supported through regular formal supervision, appraisal and training with professional advice and guidance available from all team clinicians, including the service leads. The postholder engages in multi-disciplinary work and maintaining positive links with partnership agencies within the local area, including liaising directly with families, carers and the professional networks. About You The postholder is required to have experience of initial assessments, risk assessments and demonstrate a good level of initiative and an ability to work with a range of different presenting needs. Your Skills and Experience: Essential Professional registration with the HCPC as an Art Therapist At least one years’ experience working within multidisciplinary teams providing assessment and formulation for children and young people who have experienced trauma/ are looked after, adopted or under a Special Guardianship Order. A working knowledge of child and adult safeguarding legislation Experience of routine clinical outcome monitoring Experience of clinical risk assessment An excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills The ability to use a computer competently, with a broad base of IT skills The ability to work on your own initiative and prioritise workload Strong literacy and report writing skills, with excellent accuracy and attention to detail Desirable Experience of working with neurodiversity Experience of delivering training to professionals Experience in research, audit or service evaluation You’ll make a difference by: Providing specialist therapies to adults, children and families accessing Oakdale’s Psychological Therapies Service. Working autonomously and collaboratively with carers and professionals. Engaging in local supervision and line management protocols, seeking guidance and support in domains where they are not familiar or require training/ supervision. Exercising clinical judgement based on the highest standards of evidence based practices in collaboration with the leadership team when required. Utilising theory, evidence based literature and research to support evidence based practise of self and others and to continually seek to expand and consolidate clinical skills using training, experience, and supervision. Contributing to the development and articulation of best practice in therapies across the service, by continuing to develop the skills of a reflective practitioner, taking part in regular peer supervision and relevant team meetings. Providing specialist risk assessments and interventions to people who present to the service. Working within the safeguarding procedures at Oakdale. Contributing to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes Maintaining membership of professional bodies appropriate for the model of working. Maintaining up to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to the clients the service serves Maintaining the highest standards of clinical record keeping including electronic data entry and recording, report writing and the responsible exercise of professional self-governance in accordance with professional codes of practice and Oakdale’s policies and procedures. Being involved in the service development and assisting with any projects which are priority for the service in collaboration with the senior leadership team. Offer training when required in service and to other agencies involved in the psychological, emotional and behavioural well-being of people referred to the service. Attend service level team meetings Within the adoption support service, working closely with the administrative team to ensure requirements relating to ASGSF funding are met.Communicating in a skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of clients under their care and to effectively evaluate progress within the expectations of the ASGSF Why Join Oakdale? At Oakdale, your well-being and growth matter as much as the clients you support. We offer a package designed for balance, flexibility, and long-term career satisfaction, including: 33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays), increasing with length of service Flexible and agile working from day one SimplyHealth: 24/7 GP access, counselling, physiotherapy, and more Exclusive, heavily discounted rates for you and your family on private ADHD and autism neurodevelopmental assessments, through our own expert service.* Fully funded flu vaccines Employee Wellbeing Initiative with trained mental health champions Smart Pension & Rewards: plan for your future with discounts and cashback Enhanced Occupational Sick Pay Cycle to Work & Technology Salary Sacrifice schemes Employee discount scheme Protected CPD days, annual away days, and high-quality training Professional registration fees covered (where applicable) Opportunities to influence service improvement and innovation Laptop, monitor, keyboard, and any additional equipment you need to do your best work *Discounts apply to dependents living within the same household. Apply Today This is more than just a clinical role; it’s a career with purpose, flexibility, and impact. Join Oakdale and help us continue transforming lives. Oakdale is proud to be a registered Disability Confident Committed Employer.