Music, Art or Drama Therapist

Harrogate, North yorkshire, United Kingdom

About Us

Oakdale was established over twenty five years ago and is highly regarded as a professional psychological therapy provider. Our vision is to work together to transform lives. Oakdale’s mission is to provide wider, quicker access to high quality therapeutic interventions and assessments across the age range; removing barriers and advocating for people; empowering them to thrive and sustain long term benefits from effectively managing their mental health and wellbeing. Much of Oakdale’s work is in the field of trauma and attachment difficulties and also in the field of neurodiversity, including neurodevelopmental assessments and support. Oakdale has clinical centres in Harrogate, Leeds and Halifax as well as delivering services from other consulting rooms in the North of England and remotely on a nationwide basis. Supporting the whole family system as well as the young person can positively impact relationships, future wellbeing and development. Oakdale recognises each child as an individual. Our comprehensive assessment and treatment programmes are designed to meet the particular requirements of each young person and their family. Many of our services are commissioned by the NHS and Local Authorities. Oakdale also has private clients and a charitable arm. We strive every day to be true to our values of effectiveness, inclusivity, flexibility, being principled, innovative, collaborative and knowledgeable. Oakdale’s multidisciplinary teams consistently receive excellent feedback from clients and commissioners. We strive to ensure that our clients and colleagues are at the heart of everything we do.

About the Adoption Support, Attachment and Trauma Service at Oakdale

This service is a specialist provision for assessing and treating attachment difficulties, trauma and under-developed sensorimotor systems.  These are often associated with children who are adopted, fostered, under a Special Guardianship Order or the care of the local authority. The service also has a specialist psychology led team providing autism, ADHD and cognitive assessments.  Over the last ten years, Oakdale has developed a strong and committed team and is an accredited provider of adoption support services for Local Authorities throughout Yorkshire and the Humber. These services are funded by the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) and we also receive private referrals and clients referred by colleagues in health and social care.  The service works closely with professional colleagues to ensure that our clients receive a comprehensive, joined up service.  We see the profound impact early experiences of trauma, neglect, loss and disrupted attachments can have on the developing child’s wellbeing, their family life and social relationships, as well as their ability to self-regulate. Difficulties during key developmental stages sometimes lead to young people distrusting and rejecting adults, who in turn may find themselves overwhelmed, exhausted and struggling with being the parents they would like to be. Supporting the whole family system as well as the young person can positively impact relationships, future wellbeing and development. Oakdale recognises each child as an individual. Our comprehensive assessment and treatment programmes are designed to meet the particular requirements of each young person and their family.

Our personalised packages of care address:

The impact of trauma

Attachment issues

Education related problems

Behavioural difficulties

Health, cognitive or developmental concerns, including neurodiversity

Building Underdeveloped Sensorimotor Systems

The successful candidate would: 

Join a committed multidisciplinary team of Clinical and Assistant Psychologists, Child Psychotherapists, Family Therapists, Creative Therapists and Play Therapists.

Receive a full induction to the service and engage in regular ongoing CPD

Maintain a caseload of therapeutic work with young people who have experienced trauma and have attachment difficulties. Work with parents/ carers and the young people in a creative way to support their emotional and psychological wellbeing. 

Contribute to the holistic assessment of the impact of trauma and attachment wounds, and where relevant, neurodiversity.

Receive regular clinical supervision, line and case management, and attend team meetings. 

Keep up to date clinical records and write assessment reports and discharge summaries. Engage in risk/safeguarding monitoring and reporting, and outcomes assessment. 

Person Specification: 

Essential:

• Core professional qualification in music, art or dramatherapy.  
• Registration with HCPC
• Excellent organisational, written and verbal communication skills

Desirable: 

• Post-qualification experience of assessing / working with families and young people whose presentation may include complex trauma and young people whose presentation may include risk.
• Experience of working with children and young people who have been adopted or are under the care of the local authority or who have experienced trauma, and their families.
• Experience of working with neurodiverse young people.

Vision and Values 

• We are looking for a Creative Arts Therapist who would: 
• Be aligned to Oakdale’s valuesBe looking for an opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary collaborative team environment.
• Demonstrate resilience and a natural ability to be thoughtful and reflective, both as a clinician and colleague. 
• Be familiar with trauma and attachment informed practice.
• Demonstrate trustworthiness and sound clinical judgement.

Employee Benefits:

• Opportunity to work with a skilled, knowledgeable, trauma and attachment informed team.
• A supportive culture that values work-life balance, including agile working and the option to apply for flexible working
• Competitive salary and benefits package including
• Enhanced pension
• Salary of £40,000 to £50,000 ( FTE)
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising after length of service)
• Enhanced Occupational Sick Pay (OSP)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Fully funded flu vaccines
• Employee discount scheme
• Technology salary sacrifice scheme for home appliances, computers, TVs etc.

Applying for the role:

Submit your application via Oakdale's website or on Indeed or LinkedIn.

Closing date:

The advert will close on the 13th January 2025 - interviews will be offered on a rolling basis.

If you are interested in this role and would like to discuss it with the Head of Service, Dr Jude Johnston, please do contact her on: jude.johnston@oakdalecentre.org