Creative Services and Operational Lead

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Cathartic Arts CIC

Purpose of the Role

To play a key leadership role in the planning, delivery and development of creative arts-based services for children, young people and adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), neurological conditions, mental health challenges and medical conditions.

This position combines hands-on facilitation within our inclusive art workshops with operational coordination and organisational development, working alongside the Directors to build sustainability, embed high-quality operational systems and grow our reach.

Key Responsibilities

Creative Service Delivery & Support

• Lead or co-facilitate art and creative wellbeing sessionsfor children, young people and adults withautism, learning disabilities, physical impairments, mental health challenges, dementia, life-threatening illness. As a dynamic organisation, our range of communities we serve may expand into new areas.
• Promote inclusivity,where every individual is respected, supported and able to express themselves creatively.
• Work alongside support staff, freelancers and volunteersto maintain safe, calm and positive environments.
• Build trusting relationships with families, carers and professionals, acting as a consistent point of contact when required.
• Maintain clear and person-centred record keeping, including reviews, goal setting and tracking progress, using a strengths-based approach that supports individuals to be the best they can be.
• Maintain accurate records and produce reports for funders, commissioners, and partner organisations as required

Operational Coordination & Compliance

• Assist the Directors in managing the day-to-day operationsof the organisation.
• Help maintain systems for safeguarding, health & safety, training records, incident reporting and GDPR compliance.
• Support rota coordination, inductions and workforce development.
• Contribute to monitoring, reporting processes and reflective learning across the services.

Development & Growth

• Support in identifying and applying for grants, funding opportunities and strategic partnerships.
• Bring creative ideas for new projects, services and outreach opportunities.
• Represent the organisation at events, meetings and community platforms.
• Help develop evaluation methodsthat centre the voice of participants and families.

Person Specification

Essential

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working with children, young people or adults with SEND, autism, learning disabilities, or mental health challenges.
• A passion for creative engagement, arts-based practice or therapeutic approaches. The ability to design and deliver stimulating, engaging and innovative creative activities for a wide range of ages and abilities. We offer a broad range of creative mediums.
• Strong organisational and administrative abilities.
• Confident communicator, able to collaborate with staff, families and external professionals. Be able to initiate and hold conversations with service users of all ages and abilities, show keenness and enthusiasm in others interests.
• Ability to build trust with service users, families and staff
• Calm, adaptable and person-centred in diverse groups and challenging or dysregulated moments.

Desirable

• Full clean drivers licence (not essential)
• Experience facilitating or assisting in creative art workshops, youth work, care or community settings.
• Experience in grant writing, project coordination or service development.
• Knowledge of safeguarding frameworksand inclusive practice standards.

Application deadline: Wednesday 19th November at 5pm | Interviews: Friday 28th November
To apply, send your CV and cover letter (or short video introduction) to:

maria@catharticcic.com and nicky@catharticcic.com.

Learn more at www.catharticcic.com

Equal Opportunities Statement

• We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and lived experiences. We actively encourage applications from those with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals and people from underrepresented communities.

Safeguarding Statement

• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. All employment offers are subject to satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.