About Stepping Stones North Wales

Stepping Stones North Wales is a specialist charity providing free trauma-informed counselling and therapeutic support services to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse across the six counties of North Wales. We work from a trauma-informed, survivor-centred approach and are committed to creating safe, inclusive and empowering services. Our work is underpinned by compassion, integrity, and a strong commitment to equality and social justice. All of our services are available in both Welsh and English.

Purpose of the Role

The Art Therapist / Art Psychotherapist will provide specialist, trauma-informed Art Psychotherapy to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) through individual and group interventions. Working as part of our therapeutic team, the postholder will create safe and compassionate therapeutic spaces where clients can explore their experiences through creative expression, supporting healing, recovery and emotional wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Practice

• Undertake clinical assessments to determine suitability for Art Therapy.

• Deliver individual and group Art Therapy to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA).

• Monitor and review therapeutic progress, completing agreed outcome measures.

• Maintain accurate, timely and confidential clinical records in accordance with HCPC standards and organisational policies.

• Work collaboratively with clients to promote empowerment, choice and autonomy throughout the therapeutic process.

• Respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns and clinical risk in line with organisational procedures.

Trauma-Informed Practice

• Deliver therapy using trauma-informed, survivor-centred principles that promote safety, trust, collaboration, choice and empowerment.

• Adapt therapeutic interventions to meet the individual needs of clients with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.

• Apply knowledge of childhood sexual abuse, developmental trauma, complex PTSD, dissociation and attachment to inform clinical practice.

• Promote inclusive, anti-oppressive and ethically informed practice.

Professional Responsibilities

• Work within the professional standards, standards of proficiency, and ethical frameworks of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT).

• Participate in regular clinical supervision in accordance with HCPC and BAAT requirements.

• Attend and contribute to team meetings and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events.

• Work within the charity's clinical governance, safeguarding, confidentiality, information governance, and data protection policies and procedures.

• Maintain Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in line with HCPC requirements and contribute to service evaluation, quality improvement, and service development.

• Liaise appropriately with colleagues, referrers, and external professionals to support coordinated, person-centred care.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Master's degree or recognised postgraduate qualification in Art Psychotherapy / Art Therapy.

• Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as an Art Therapist / Art Psychotherapist.

• Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Essential Experience.

• Experience providing Art Therapy to adults experiencing trauma, abuse or complex emotional difficulties.

• Experience facilitating therapeutic groups.

• Experience of clinical assessment, risk management and safeguarding.

• Experience maintaining accurate clinical records and outcome measures.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a therapeutic team.

Essential Knowledge and Skills.

• Sound understanding of childhood sexual abuse, developmental trauma, complex PTSD, dissociation and attachment.

• Knowledge of trauma-informed and survivor-centred practice.

• Excellent therapeutic engagement, communication and group facilitation skills.

• Ability to establish safe therapeutic relationships and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

• Strong clinical judgement, organisational and IT skills.

• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-oppressive practice.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working specifically with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

• Additional training in trauma-focused approaches, complex trauma, dissociation, attachment or related therapeutic models.

• Knowledge of specialist survivor services and the voluntary sector.

• Experience contributing to service evaluation or development.

Values and Behaviours

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Compassion, empathy and emotional intelligence.

• Respect for survivor autonomy, lived experience and individual choice.

• Professional integrity, accountability and ethical practice.

• Commitment to trauma-informed and psychologically safe practice.

• Trustworthiness, collaboration and empowerment in therapeutic relationships.

• Cultural humility, inclusivity and anti-discriminatory practice.

• Reflective practice and a commitment to continuous learning and development.

Safeguarding

This post involves working with adults who have experienced significant trauma and requires a strong commitment to safeguarding and professional accountability.

The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check and work in accordance with all organisational safeguarding, confidentiality and information governance policies.

What We Offer

• Competitive hourly sessional rate.

• Contribution made towards the cost of supervision.

• Ongoing Continuing Professional Development opportunities.

• A supportive therapeutic team environment.

• Opportunities to contribute to innovative, survivor-centred therapeutic services.

How to Apply

Applications are welcome via email at [email protected]. Please submit your CV together with a supporting statement outlining how your qualifications, experience and values meet the requirements of this role by the 22nd of July.

If you require further assistance to apply, or if you would like to arrange an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact our Clinical Lead, Della Austin, at [email protected]