Art Therapist

Dysart School, Surbiton, Surrey, KT6 6HL

4 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  to be confirmed

• Closing date

  23 October 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  19 October 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other support role
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time: 8am to 4pm. 36 hours a week, term time only
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: Band 7 FTE £51,743 - £58,385 pa (actual - £47,433.32 - £53522.10)

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Art Therapist to join our dedicated multi-disciplinary team. Working collaboratively with education, therapy and support colleagues, you will deliver high-quality, trauma-informed therapeutic interventions that promote emotional wellbeing, communication, independence and engagement in learning, helping to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where every student can thrive.

Key Responsibilities:

• To use a person-centred approach to promote choice, independence, and inclusion, reflecting the key principals of Valuing People (DOH 2002), Valuing People Now and the Human Rights Act and working towards the Preparing for Adulthood Agenda, in order to enable the student to achieve his/her academic, social and employment potential.
• To always maintain and model the highest level of respect for students and their families, modelling person centred and collaborative working, at all times promoting students human's rights, dignity and individual choices.
• To work with external agencies (e.g. Schools, work placements, social services) to ensure smooth transition of student’s information around psychological interventions, both into and when leaving the college.
• To assess students’ social, emotional, mental health and learning environment needs using a range of formal and informal assessments and observations and manage clinical caseload independently.
• To enable teaching and support staff to deliver the curriculum at an appropriate interaction, trauma informed and emotional development level by contributing to support plans, planning & delivering staff training, coaching and reflecting with staff and class observations.

Key Requirements:

• Arts Therapy, Dramatherapy qualification – Masters level equivalent
• UK HCPC Registration
• Degree in music, psychology, sociology, drama or relevant field

Minimum 2 years working at Band 6 level

What the school offers its staff

OHCAT is an exciting, forward-thinking organisation, and we offer many benefits to attract and keep our staff, contributing towards maintaining and improving wellbeing, and encouraging our required behaviours, achievements, values, and skills. Below is just a selection of the benefits available to our employees:

Rewards & Benefits:

• Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment
• Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family

• Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme, Employee Car Lease Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme)
• Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme and Free Virtual GP Appointments
• Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
• Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Dysart School is committed to the protection of children and an enhanced DBS check will be required for these positions.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

Arts therapist band 7 - Job Description (1).pdf - 336 KB (opens in new tab)

About Dysart School

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 4 to 19
• Size: 199 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Dysart School website
• Email address: KCollier@dysartschool.org
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/dysart-school

Dysart School is an Outstanding special school for 150 pupils aged 4 to 19 who have a range of severe and complex learning difficulties. The school has high expectations for its pupils and believe there is no limit to their potential.

Our main site, located in Surbiton, is bright and well equipped to support the development of its pupils including Early Years classrooms with outdoor learning spaces, a dedicated post-16 hub, accessible swimming pool, sensory room, soft play and adventure play areas and generous grounds equipped for play and outdoor learning. Dysart has also recently opened two satellite sites next to mainstream schools in the local area.

Dysart School is a progressive and innovative place to work and staff are offered opportunities through regular training and support to develop their own practice. To find out more about us visit www.dysartschool.org

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