Arts Therapist
The closing date is 10 March 2026
The Mental Health for Older People (MHSOP) directorate is delighted to offer a fixed‑term Arts Therapist position within the Mental Health Services for Older People (MHSOP) directorate in Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
We are looking to recruit an Arts Therapist for our inpatient and community teams, adding to our thriving, passionate and person‑centred AHP and Psychology teams. The successful applicant will work across Cardiff and Vale in both inpatient and community settings, supporting clients who receive MHSOP services, including the Younger Onset Dementia service.
During the fixed term of 12 months we will demonstrate the value and impact of the role on service users and staff. The post holder will play a key role in scoping Art Therapy provision, measuring outcomes and contributing to future service planning.
This is a full‑time post funded for 12 months; part‑time applications will be considered.
Our service supports people aged 65 years and over living in Cardiff and the Vale with a dementia or functional mental illness, as well as a Younger Onset Dementia Service for individuals diagnosed before age 65, their carers and families.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable, but Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide input through both 1:1 and group interventions, working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team, families, carers, social services and third sector.
Transition support (i.e., supporting transitions from inpatient to community)
Supporting individuals’ wellbeing and helping to prevent hospital admissions
Up‑skilling and supporting colleagues and families (training, supervision, consultation and carer support groups)
Support the development of person‑centred care environments through reflective practice, supervision and collaboration on service design
Assessment and intervention based on a holistic person‑centred approach, engaging staff and carers in creating supportive environments; implementing a multi‑component framework for the delivery of evidence‑based support.
Provide a service that improves and maintains the emotional health of older adults through specialist assessment, formulation of treatment programmes, clinical interventions and teaching.
Contribute to the future development and planning of an Arts/Music Therapies service.
Provide advice, training and consultation pertaining to Arts/Music Therapies to staff from other disciplines, carers or statutory bodies as required.
Maintain HCPC registration as a condition of initial and continued employment.
Undertake appropriate CPD, research and audit activity.
About us
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 17,000 staff and providing over 100 specialist services. Working across six hospital sites, we offer a diverse range of career opportunities. Serving over 500,000 people in Cardiff and the Vale, we focus on the health and care needs of our local population while partnering to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone, delivering excellent care and support.
Our mission is "Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together", and our vision is that every person’s chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. Our 10‑year transformation and improvement strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, guides our collaborative work with the public and our workforce to make the health board more sustainable for the future.
Job responsibilities
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable, but Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
See the attached full Job description and Person Specification, or click Apply Now to view in Trac.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Health‑related professional qualification (Arts/therapies degree and/or post‑graduate qualification in Art Psychotherapy, Art Therapy or Dramatherapy with a recognised training provider)
* Current UK professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as an Arts Therapist or membership of a governing body
* Educated to master’s degree in a health‑related subject, or evidence of knowledge and experience to master’s level
* Teaching qualification
* Evidence of interest or experience working in a secondary community mental health setting
* Understanding of the needs and difficulties of older people with mental health needs
* Diploma or degree in a mental health profession (e.g., RMN, RGN, DipSW)
* Recent successful completion of a Level 2 BABCP accredited course, with intention to apply for accreditation within the next 6 months
Experience
* Extensive experience and the ability to draw on a range of psychological theories and models, integrating these into a coherent formulation for assessments and evidence‑based interventions
* Advanced level expertise in specific areas of clinical practice
* Significant experience researching, developing and delivering training packages
* Experience providing supervision to junior staff and other health‑care professionals
* Experience working within the NHS
* Experience in applied clinical research and service evaluation
Skills
* High‑level communication and interpersonal skills for conveying complex, technical, sensitive information at both written and oral levels
* Professional working relationships with all disciplines and inter‑agency levels
* Ability to engage others in collaborative change processes
* Strong presentation and report‑writing skills for clinical and academic content in various contexts
* Judgement skills involving complex facts, analysis, interpretation and comparison of options
* Planning, formulation, organisation and implementation of a broad range of operational activities, programmes and plans
* Awareness and sensitivity to gender, race and cultural issues in professional practice
* Commitment to providing teaching and training to health professionals using a range of delivery modes
* Experience presenting papers at local and regional professional forums
Knowledge
* Expert knowledge of complex mental health disorders
* Specialist skills to sensitively relate to people with acute and chronic mental and physical health conditions
* Skilled in providing clinical supervision to a range of clinicians
* Knowledge acquired through degree/diploma supplemented by specialist training, experience and short courses
* Up‑to‑date knowledge of relevant mental health legislative frameworks for children, adolescents and adults
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required to verify any previous criminal convictions.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
£48,527 to £55,532 per annum pro rata
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