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Salary: £28,860 FTE, review pending and rising with experience
Location: Southwark
Hours: 35hrs/week. Jobholders work with colleagues to cover core service hours of 8:00 am to 6:00pm, Monday to Friday.
Be part of something new! Be a voice! Build change!
We are recruiting for motivated, values-driven advocates to join a new, innovative community gender-based abuse support service in Southwark. This is not a traditional role. You will support people of all genders and help shape a service built around prevention, creativity, and community voice.
The Role
You will work directly with people in community settings, carrying out risk and needs assessments, creating safety plans and using trauma-informed and coaching approaches. You’ll be part of a fast-paced, dynamic team working in new and flexible ways.
About You
We’re looking for people who are:
• Confident, reliable, and proactive
• Creative, solutions focused and adaptable
• Passionate about prevention and community-led work
• Strong at building trust and relationships
Experience in VAWG (violence against women and girls), domestic abuse, sexual violence or safeguarding is helpful, but your mindset, values and reliability matter most. We will provide full training, induction and support.
If you want purpose, challenge, and the chance to help build something new, this role is for you!
How to apply
If you are interested in applying, please:
1 – Download a copy of our standard application form.
2 – Return a completed copy to admin@bedehouse.org or by post to the address on the form.
3 – Include a covering letter up to 2 pages long, explaining how you meet the Person Specification for the role. The job description and person specification is available here.
Deadline for applications is midnight, Sunday 11th January 2026.
Interviews will be held on 20th and 21st January 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a short written test on the day of interview.
Bede works with children and adults at risk of harm, and we have Safer Recruitment policies and procedures in place to ensure that they are protected from abuse. These roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Organisation: Bede House – Starfish Domestic Abuse Project
Location: In-person sessions across Southwark and Lambeth (local children’s centres)
Contract Type: Self-employed consultancy agreement
Hours: Two evenings per week (approx. 3–4 hours per evening; 6–8 sessions per month)
Client Group: Children and young people aged 5–17
Rate: Hourly consultancy rate to be negotiated.
Main contact: Bede Manager
Website: https://bedehouse.org.uk/
Overview of Role
Bede House is seeking a qualified Child Art Therapist (Consultant) to deliver time-limited, trauma-informed creative therapeutic interventions for children and young people affected by domestic abuse or VAWG. This self-employed position is suitable for an experienced art therapist who can work independently and flexibly within community settings.
This role is ideal for a confident, independent practitioner with the capacity to supervise another therapist delivering creative therapy as part of the service. Sessions are delivered in person during weekday evenings within local community venues across Southwark and Lambeth. This is a freelance contract with flexibility in scheduling, subject to project needs.
Key Responsibilities
• Deliver short-term, arts-based therapeutic interventions to children and young people impacted by domestic abuse/VAWG.
• Use integrative or person-centred approaches suitable to each child’s needs and developmental stage.
• Conduct an initial assessment, regular reviews, and sessional documentation, while maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Liaise with Bede’s Manager and safeguarding team around risk, safeguarding, and clinical concerns.
• Attend monthly check-ins with the Project Manager and regular supervision.
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation reports as required.
• Support the development of student art therapy placements by providing supervision or guidance as required.
• Provide Supervision for one other art play therapist.
Consultancy Agreement and Autonomy
This is a self-employed role under a freelance agreement. You will be responsible for your own tax and National Insurance contributions.
You are expected to manage your working hours and methods independently, while aligning with Bede’s values, policies, and service requirements.
You are expected to have appropriate professional indemnity insurance and an Enhanced DBS check (or be willing to obtain one).
Essential Requirements
• Qualification in Art Therapy (Postgraduate Diploma or Masters).
• HCPC registration (or working towards registration) and membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. BAAT).
• Experience delivering therapy to children affected by domestic abuse, trauma, or neglect.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• Comfortable working alone in community settings, in line with lone-working and safeguarding protocols.
• Ability to write clear, concise clinical notes and reports.
• Commitment to trauma-informed, culturally competent, and anti-oppressive practice.
• Able to commit to at least 6–12 months’ delivery.
• Willing to work evenings and travel across Southwark and Lambeth.
Desirable
• Experience supporting children with additional needs (e.g. ADHD, neurodiversity).
• Understanding of domestic abuse dynamics and relevant UK safeguarding legislation.
• Experience of working in voluntary, charity, or community-based settings.
• Ability to speak a second language or experience working cross-culturally.
• Familiarity with online case recording systems or Microsoft SharePoint.
Support Provided by Bede House
• Funded individual clinical supervision (monthly).
• Weekly contact/check-ins with Project Manager for logistics and reflective practice.
• Access to ongoing CPD and training, including:
– Domestic abuse and trauma
– Safeguarding
– VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls)
– Case documentation and ethical practice.
Safeguarding and Legal Compliance
All consultants must hold (or undergo) an Enhanced DBS check.
Therapists must adhere to professional ethical standards (e.g. BAAT, HCPC).
Consultants are expected to work within Bede House’s Safeguarding Policy, Equality Policy, Confidentiality Policy, and Health & Safety procedures.
Outputs
• Deliver at least 12 weeks of individual art therapy per referred child.
• Deliver sessions for a minimum of 15 children per reporting year.
• Provide monitoring feedback and reflective reports as required.
• Ensure monitoring documentation is completed.
• Attend mandatory supervision and project meetings (paid).
If you have a passion for supporting vulnerable children, experience in therapeutic work following trauma, and value working as part of a reflective and inclusive team — we’d love to hear from you.
For further information contact Ahlam Laabori, Service Manager: 020 7237 9162.
Applications:
Please send your expression of interest and CV to: bedereferrals@bedehouse.org, for the attention of Ahlam Laabori.