The intake of 35 arts therapies trainees – working in art therapy, music therapy, dance movement psychotherapy and dramatherapy roles - has increased following the growth and development of arts therapies across the Trust.
With more staff members than ever this has grown the potential for placements. Involvement in the Health Education England Clinical Placement Expansion Programme (CPEP) has also helped scope new placement opportunities.
ELFT now has new placements where arts therapies have never worked before, joining Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) who work across the organisation (pictured).
The Trust is also trying new and innovative ways to provide supervision – including long arm supervision (supervisors at a different location from the placement base) which means placement opportunities can grow outside of where arts therapies already work.
The new group of trainees will spend on average of nine months at ELFT as part of their professional development, paving the way for careers within the Trust and the wider health, education and care system.
Arts therapists undertake clinical work across ELFT, from older adult, adult, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, learning disabilities and children's under 5s to physical health services.
They provide choice to service users and allow them to have their voice heard and needs met in ways in which it may not have done before. Arts Therapies also promote success, reliance and recovery as well as being able to work with clients at some of their most challenging times in their life.
“Our arts therapies at ELFT link to our commitment to widening access and choice for our service users to therapy that supports their integrated psychological and physical wellbeing,” said Stephen Sandford, Professional Lead for Allied Health Professionals (AHPs).
“Arts therapists are also key in helping promote creativity in all aspects of our culture across the whole Trust.”