Creative therapy support worker - Level 2
Therapy
Arts and crafts can be used as part of a person’s therapy as a way of helping them deal with their issues. Art, music, and drama can be particularly helpful when there are things people cannot say in words. This could be because the emotions are too distressing. Or it may be because the patient has difficulties with communication.
Job titles vary, for example you might work as:
• activities co-ordinator
• activity co-ordinator
• activities support worker
• activities facilitator
• activity assistant
• creative assistant
• activity worker
You'll typically plan activity programmes based on patient’s needs, abilities, and preferences. This might include, for example, art, music, cookery, or photography. You will help groups and individuals to take part in the activities.
In the NHS, many staff in roles related to the creative therapies work with adults with mental health issues. Other creative staff may work with:
- elderly people, including those with dementia
- children and young people with mental health issues or disabilities
Skills and knowledge
To become a Creative Therapy Support Worker you will need to be:
- creative
- patient and caring
- able to motivate people
- accepting of other people’s lifestyles
- willing to work with people from all walks of life
- happy to talk to and work with groups
- flexible
- able to work in a team but use their own initiative
- able to follow procedures
- able to deal with people with challenging behaviour
- arts and crafts skills
- good communication skills
- good organisational skills
Qualifications
There are no set entry requirements but employers expect good literacy and numeracy. They may ask for GCSEs (or equivalent) in maths and English.
Employers also ask for an interest and ability in one or more areas of arts or crafts, such as art, music, drama, cookery, gardening, photography etc. They may also ask for a qualification in health or social care such as an NVQ or BTEC, or equivalent.
Employers usually ask for experience in working in the arts in a care or therapy setting. This is particularly important for roles working with people with mental health issues. Your experience could be from paid or voluntary work.
Some staff enter by working as healthcare assistants or occupational therapy assistants in jobs which may include creative therapies.
Routes into this job
You could do a college course in Health and Social Care or a relevant art course.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
You'll usually need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent for a Health and Social Care level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a Health and Social Care level 3 / T Level course or relevant art course
You can get into this job through an entry level apprenticeship.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
You'll usually need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent for a level 2 apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 / T Level course or relevant art apprenticeship
You'll find it useful to get some paid or volunteering experience in care. This will help when you apply for jobs.
You could contact the voluntary services co-ordinator at your local NHS trust for advice about opportunities.
You can also find volunteering opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Do IT.
Career progression
You will be given the training you need to do the job, including an introduction to the department and its procedures. You will also have training in relevant issues such as mental health or disability.
You could apply to train as an art, music or dramatherapist or as an occupational therapist.
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