Job Advert
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.
The role:
To provide community-based tier 3/4 NHS specialist mental health assessment and intervention based on the principles of equality, dignity and respect and which takes into account spiritual and cultural diversity.
Within the in-patient setting, care is delivered by multi-disciplinary teams in collaboration with partner agencies. It is based on the best available evidence for practice and is planned and delivered in a manner which promotes personal choice. The clinical team works collaboratively with service users, carers, families and their representatives to ensure that care needs are identified and met.
All children/young people being cared for have a Case Manager who is tasked with working closely with their identified patients/carers to develop a participative, therapeutic relationship and deliver high quality specialist care in an environment where patients feel valued and where confidentiality is respected.
Duration, Location, and Working Pattern:
Permanent, Part time
Shift pattern - 9am-5pm
Base location - Royal Hospital for Children
Key responsibilities:
Clinical Responsibilities
Assess complex mental health needs and formulate, deliver, and evaluate specialised treatment plans using psychodynamic and psychological theory.
Plan and deliver art psychotherapy services for children and young people with severe mental illness, emotional difficulties, and personality disorder.
Work autonomously with highly complex clients, using advanced assessment, judgement, and communication skills.
Manage challenging behaviour and high emotional states in individual and group sessions, maintaining safety and therapeutic focus.
Contain and manage emotionally distressing or unpredictable incidents using advanced interpersonal skills.
Contribute to multidisciplinary assessments and interventions beyond art psychotherapy.
Provide specialist consultation and advice on complex trauma to statutory and voluntary services.
Offer clinical opinions and professional judgements when requested.
Lead the development of art therapy and group interventions.
Report client progress to relevant agencies and respond to clinical advice requests, including by phone.
Promote evidence‑based practice, clinical governance, and ongoing professional development.
Engage in research activity and contribute to the evidence base for art psychotherapy.
Make clinical judgements regarding confidentiality, including child protection and criminal investigations.
Participate actively in multidisciplinary CAMHS planning, liaison, case coordination, teaching, and consultation.
Professional Responsibilities
Maintain HCPC registration and adhere to BAAT and HCPC codes of ethics and conduct.
Ensure junior staff comply with professional standards.
Demonstrate reflective and psychodynamic thinking in clinical work, supervision, and documentation.
Participate in regular clinical supervision and internal training.
Provide specialist input to case reviews and MDT meetings.
Maintain and develop specialist skills and professional competence.
Make professional judgements about staff and student performance in line with clinical governance.
Managerial Responsibilities
Work strategically with CAMHS to develop services and support change implementation.
Maintain safe therapeutic environments and ensure equipment meets professional and health and safety standards.
Manage junior art therapists and trainees.
Maintain systems for effective delivery of art psychotherapy services.
Leadership, Supervision & Appraisal
Meet regularly with service and professional leads for management supervision.
Undertake annual appraisal with service and professional managers.
Provide consultation, clinical supervision, and appraisal to junior staff and students.
Education & Research
Take responsibility for professional development and secure appropriate training resources.
Participate in group supervision, case discussions, and meet BAAT/AHP supervision requirements.
Maintain CPD portfolio in line with HCPC requirements.
Provide specialist teaching, training, consultation, and information on art psychotherapy.
Contribute to CAMHS teaching and capacity‑building activities.
Ensure staff, students, and agency workers receive appropriate induction and training.
Offer trainee placements, supervise workload, assess competencies, and liaise with training institutions.
Lead and contribute to research, audit, and dissemination of best practice, including publications and conference presentations.
Complete mandatory training.
Organisational Responsibilities
Contribute to the design and delivery of CAMHS mental health and psychological services.
Implement NHSGGC policies and procedures.
Identify learning needs of art therapy staff related to CYP mental health.
Provide information and promotional materials on art psychotherapy.
Understand and apply local, national, and professional policies relevant to the client group.
Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job:
Initial arts honours degree followed by a postgraduate Masters‑level qualification in Art Psychotherapy.
Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Specialist skills and knowledge in art psychotherapy for mental health and children and young people (CYP).
Advanced theoretical and clinical knowledge for working with CYP, gained through experience and recognised training.
Awareness of a range of service delivery models and specialist treatment options for CYP with mental health difficulties.
Proven specialist skills in group work.
Foundation understanding of mental disorder classification and epidemiology.
Understanding of global psychopathology.
Ongoing continuing professional development in line with HCPC requirements.
Working knowledge of social and equalities issues.
Advanced knowledge of child protection requirements.
Highly developed communication, interpersonal, observation, assessment and risk‑management skills.
Computer literacy.
What we offer:
We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.
As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to:
- A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
- Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
- Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
- Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom-based courses
- Enhanced pay for working public holidays
- NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
- Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, we would love to hear from you.
For an informal discussion, please contact:
Diane Sutherland, Senior Charge Nurse - Diane.sutherland@nhs.scot - 0141 452 4535
Details on how to contact the Recruitment Service and the Recruitment Process: Information for candidates
This post may close early due to the volume of response. Please submit your application form as soon as possible. Due to the volume of applications that we receive, we will not be able to provide shortlisting feedback.
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From 1 April 2026, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will reduce from 37 hours to 36 hours. Part-time working hours will be reduced on a pro-rata basis. A corresponding increase in the hourly rate will apply, ensuring that overall pay remains unchanged.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work-life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full-time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as “various”, we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.
By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.
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