Drama Therapist

Salary: Band 6, FTE £42,823 to £50,559 pa (actual - £39256.26 - £46347.93)Location: Working across all Dysart School sites – in Surbiton and KingstonWorking Pattern: 8am to 4pm. 36 hours a week, term time onlyDysart School is an Outstanding special school in Kingston, providing education for pupils aged 4 to 19 with a range of severe and complex learning difficulties.

To help meet the growing demand for high-quality SEN provision in the borough, Dysart also operates three satellite sites located alongside local mainstream schools - creating inclusive opportunities and expanding access to specialist support.Its 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, an onsite work-related learning kitchen, an accessible swimming pool, sensory room, soft play and adventure play areas, and clearly defined outside spaces that support pupils’ learning and self-regulation.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.We are seeking a compassionate and creative Drama Therapist to join our multidisciplinary team.

Working closely with education staff, families and other professionals, you will deliver high-quality therapeutic interventions that promote emotional wellbeing, communication, self-expression and positive relationships, helping pupils to engage fully in school life and achieve their individual potential within a nurturing, inclusive and trauma-informed environment.Key Responsibilities:

• Clinical Practice and Assessment
• Multi-Disciplinary and Educational Working
• Working with Families and External Agencies
• Safeguarding and Pupil Wellbeing
• Record Keeping and Professional Practice
• Staff Development and Whole-School Practice
• Supervision, CPD and Clinical Governance
• Health, Safety and Behaviour Key Requirements:
• Recognised professional qualification in Drama Therapy / Dramatherapy at Master’s level or equivalent.
• Current HCPC registration as an Arts Therapist (Drama).
• Evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to the role.
• Knowledge and understanding of professional standards, ethics, safeguarding and confidentiality.• Experience of:o providing Drama Therapy assessment and intervention. o working with children, young people or adults with complex needs. o managing an allocated clinical caseload. o delivering both individual and group therapeutic interventions. o working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary or multi-professional team. o assessing therapeutic needs and developing appropriate interventions. o evaluating and recording outcomes of therapeutic intervention.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)Find out what makes Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust a truly rewarding place to work – visit our ‘Work for Us’ page to learn more about our values, opportunities and the difference our staff make every day.Our Trust: Dysart School is part of Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust. We are a family of specialist education providers from pre-school through to further education across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire and fully represent all designations of special education needs and disabilities (SEND). To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit our website.We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.As a large specialist education provider, we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities.It is an exciting time to be part of OHCAT and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment.If you wish to discuss this opportunity before or after submitting an application form, please get in touch with the School directly. Visits to the School in advance of applications are encouraged. Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role. How to Apply:Eteach: To apply for this role, please click ‘Fast Apply’, you will then be directed to a ‘Login’ page, once signed in, please complete and submit the Application Form. School/OHCAT website: To apply for this role, please click here. You will be redirected to apply via our online Eteach portal.Please note that CV applications cannot be considered. To ensure a fair opportunity for all applicants, candidates who have applied for this position in the past 6 months will not be considered.Closing Date: Friday 23 October 2026Interviews will take place: week commencing 16 November 2026To help us manage applications effectively, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient suitable applications are received.