At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide arts therapy to support students with learning disabilities in a specialist school.
- Company: Join a dedicated academy trust focused on inclusive education and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, ongoing professional development, and supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your clinical and leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified arts therapist with experience in educational settings and teamwork.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.
Read on to fully understand what this job requires in terms of skills and experience. If you are a good match, make an application.
Work pattern: 3 days per week, term time only (39 weeks)
Contract type: Fixed-term (maternity cover)
Location: West London
Hours: 2 days: 8:30am – 4:15pm, 1 day: 8:30am – 4:30pm. Days are flexible to suit the successful candidate, though ideally will include a Wednesday.
Pertemps Education is working in partnership with a specialist academy trust to recruit a Senior Arts Therapist for a fixed-term maternity cover role, working three days per week in a specialist school environment. The trust is a family of schools dedicated to meeting the educational needs of children and young people aged 4–19 with a range of learning disabilities, including autism and physical or sensory needs. Arts therapies are highly valued and embedded within the educational offer, with social and emotional wellbeing seen as integral to pupils’ learning and development.
This role will be based in an all-through specialist school with a dedicated arts therapy space. It offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced arts therapist to further develop both clinical and leadership skills within a supportive school setting. You will receive ongoing support from an established Clinical Lead and Service Manager and will work as part of a well-developed, collaborative arts therapy team. The wider multidisciplinary service includes Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Family Services, providing strong opportunities for collaborative and integrated working.
While this post is offered as fixed-term maternity cover, there may be scope for extension as the trust continues to grow.
What the role offers:
- Funded external clinical supervision
- Strong training, induction and ongoing support
- Excellent multidisciplinary team working, including joint and collaborative sessions
- Arts therapy team supervision three times per year
- Opportunities to work with pupils presenting a wide range of needs
- Access to high-quality internal CPD and funded external CPD
- Full integration into school staff teams, with opportunities to embed SEMH support through training and collaboration
- A supportive arts therapy team including music therapists and dramatherapists
- Clear opportunities for professional and career development
The successful candidate will:
- Be a qualified arts therapist registered with HCPC
- Have experience working with children and young people with learning disabilities and/or within education settings
- Be confident working as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Be able to support less experienced therapists and contribute positively to wider school teams
- Demonstrate potential and motivation to develop leadership skills
- Have strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise workload effectively
If you’re an experienced arts therapist looking for a rewarding, school-based role with strong professional support, Pertemps Education would be delighted to hear from you.
Senior Arts therapist - SEN West London School employer: Pertemps Education Network
Contact Detail:
Pertemps Education Network Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Arts therapist - SEN West London School
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with other professionals in the arts therapy field. Attend workshops, seminars, or even local meet-ups. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help land that dream job!
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your experiences and how you've made a difference in previous roles. We want to see your passion for arts therapy shine through – it could be the key to landing that position!
✨Be Ready for the Interview
Prepare for common interview questions and think about how your skills align with the role. We suggest practising with a friend or in front of a mirror. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll come across when it’s time to impress!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Arts therapist - SEN West London School
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with children and young people, especially those with learning disabilities. We want to see how your skills align with the role of a Senior Arts Therapist in a school setting.
Showcase Your Team Spirit: Since this role involves working within a multidisciplinary team, emphasise your collaborative experiences. Share examples of how you've worked alongside other professionals to support students' social and emotional wellbeing.
Highlight Leadership Potential: We’re looking for someone who can develop leadership skills. Mention any past experiences where you’ve taken the lead or supported less experienced colleagues. This will show us you’re ready to step up in our supportive environment.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity in West London.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pertemps Education Network
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in the specific needs of children and young people with learning disabilities. Brush up on your knowledge of arts therapies and how they can be integrated into educational settings. This will show that you understand the role and are genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous work with children and young people, especially in a multidisciplinary team. Have examples ready that highlight your ability to collaborate with other professionals, like speech and language therapists or occupational therapists. This will demonstrate your teamwork skills and adaptability.
✨Highlight Leadership Potential
Since the role involves supporting less experienced therapists, be ready to talk about any leadership experiences you’ve had. Whether it’s mentoring, leading projects, or contributing to team initiatives, showcasing your potential to develop leadership skills will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the support systems in place for arts therapists and how the school integrates social and emotional wellbeing into their curriculum. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and your commitment to the school's mission.