Job Summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Older Adult service as a Lead Arts Therapist. The postholder will lead our fantastic Arts Therapies colleagues within the team, providing them with a supportive and compassionate environment in which they can work at their best. We strive to create and maintain high standards of care, and you would bring your passion, creative thinking and strong clinical governance skills and experience to ensure this. You will work closely with the Head of Service for Psychology and all members of the team to develop and showcase the value of Arts Therapists and their work with older adults.
Main Duties
You would be responsible for the leadership and management of Arts Therapists, Trainees and Assistants within the team. Through service development, research and audit you will continue to develop and improve the services we provide. You will provide compassionate leadership that ensures the wellbeing of our colleagues, and creates a culture of flexibility, teamwork and innovation.
About Us
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is a multi‑award‑winning NHS organisation with a passion for caring. The Health Board provides an exceptional workplace where you can feel trusted and valued. Whatever your specialty or stage in your career, we have opportunities for everyone to start, grow and build your career. The health board provides integrated acute, primary and community care serving a population of 650,000 and employing over 16,000 staff. We offer a fantastic benefits package and extensive training and development opportunities with paid mandatory training, excellent in‑house programmes, opportunities to complete recognised qualifications and professional career pathways including a range of management development programmes. We offer flexible working and promote a healthy work life balance, provide occupational health support and an ambitious plan for a Wellbeing Centre of Excellence to support you at work.
Employment Details
Date posted: 23 October 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £56,514 to £63,623 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part‑time
Job locations: Ty Siriol, Coed Y Gric Road, Pontypool, NP4 5YA
Job Responsibilities
Working closely with your colleagues and the Head of Service in Older Adult Psychology, you will be the key representative for Arts Therapies in the Service, focusing on delivering evidence‑based and value‑based interventions which improve the lives of our clients.
Person Specification
Essential
* Honours Degree in relevant subject
* Training in Clinical Supervision
* MA in a relevant Arts Therapy, accredited by the HCPC
* Substantial clinical experience and expertise within older adult mental health and dementia services
* Management or leadership experience
* Experience of supervising Arts Therapists and other professionals
* Experience of teaching, training or presenting in specialism
* Ability to provide leadership and direction to develop the service
* Ability to communicate warmly and with empathy
* Ability to assess, interpret, formulate and intervene appropriately in complex clinical situations
* Ability to consider and initiate service developments
Desirable
* Further academic qualifications / postgraduate study
* Management or leadership training
* Contributing to Arts Therapy in a wider arena e.g. WAT, HCPC, WTAC
* Research and statistical experience
* Passion, motivation and energetic
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
Employer Details
Employer name: Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Address: Ty Siriol, Coed Y Gric Road, Pontypool, NP4 5YA
Employer website: https://abuhb.nhs.wales/
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