HEAD OF CREATIVE ARTS & HEALTH SERVICES

Job Purpose

Core Arts is an innovative Mental Health Charity and Creative Education provider delivering pioneering Arts in Health programmes across London.

This senior leadership role provides strategic and operational oversight across creative education, personalised support, wellbeing and commissioned service delivery. The postholder will lead the development and delivery of high-quality, inclusive and outcomes-focused programmes which improve mental health, wellbeing and educational participation.

The role combines educational leadership with recovery-focused and personalised approaches, ensuring students can access meaningful creative learning opportunities that support confidence, progression, independence and improved quality of life.

Working across visual arts, music, multimedia, horticulture and sport, the postholder will ensure that services align with Arts in Health principles, NHS and Local Authority priorities, and contribute to reducing health inequalities through creative approaches.

The role will support the continued development of Core Arts as a recognised centre of excellence in Creative Education and Arts in Health.

Strategic Leadership & Service Development

• Develop innovative programmes aligned to NHS priorities including prevention, early intervention, personalised care and community-based support.
• Ensure services remain responsive to emerging educational, health and social care agendas.
• Support organisational growth, sustainability and service expansion.
• Lead service planning and contribute to organisational strategy and business development.
• Drive continuous improvement through evaluation and innovation.
• Develop opportunities for integrated working across education, health and voluntary sector partnerships.

Creative Education & Student Experience

• Lead an outstanding student-centred creative education programme focused on participation, achievement and progression.
• Ensure students receive personalised learning pathways with clear goals and outcomes.
• Support progression into volunteering, employment, accredited learning and community opportunities.
• Support  exhibitions, performances, events and public-facing events.
• Embed co-production and student voice throughout programme design and evaluation.
• Develop opportunities for students to gain confidence, leadership and independence.
• Monitor engagement, attendance and progression data to support continuous improvement.

Arts in Health, Wellbeing & Recovery

• Embed Arts in Health principles across all areas of programme delivery.
• Ensure students are supported to improve wellbeing through meaningful creative engagement.
• Work collaboratively with clinical teams, community mental health services and external partners.
• Maintain safeguarding, duty of care and effective risk management procedures.
• Support early intervention approaches and sustained student engagement.
• Promote social inclusion and reduce isolation through participation in creative learning.
• Develop pathways which support emotional wellbeing, confidence and resilience.
• Ensure personalised support planning remains central to service delivery.

Commissioned Delivery, Quality Assurance & Outcomes

• Lead successful delivery of commissioned services and contractual KPIs.
• Ensure robust monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems are maintained.
• Demonstrate educational, wellbeing and social value outcomes through evidence and impact reporting.
• Ensure accurate data collection and performance monitoring.
• Support commissioner reporting and demonstrate measurable impact.
• Develop case studies and outcome frameworks which evidence the value of Arts in Health.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, GDPR and organisational governance requirements.
• Maintain oversight of quality assurance and continuous improvement processes.
• Support service audits and implementation of recommendations.

NHS Partnerships, Personalised Care & Community Integration

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with NHS commissioners, Integrated Care Boards, Local Authorities and community partners.
• Support approaches aligned with personalised care and Personal Health Budgets.
• Promote creative approaches which contribute to prevention and reduce demand on statutory services.
• Contribute to integrated pathways supporting community mental health and social prescribing.
• Support collaborative planning with borough and health partners.
• Strengthen referral routes and increase access for underrepresented communities.
• Represent Core Arts at regional networks, conferences and partnership meetings.
• Promote the role of creativity and education within wider health and wellbeing systems.

Leadership, Workforce & Organisational Development

• Provide, alongside the senior management team, leadership, supervision and support to managers, tutors, volunteers and interns.
• Ensure staff are equipped to deliver inclusive, high-quality learning experiences.
• Support innovation and collaborative working.
• Contribute to tender development and service growth opportunities.
• Champion organisational values and positive workplace culture.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion across all areas of work.

Person Specification

Experience (Essential)

• Minimum five years’ experience in senior leadership or service management.
• Experience within mental health, Arts in Health, creative education or community services.
• Experience of delivering commissioned services and contract management.
• Experience of partnership working across health, education or voluntary sectors.
• Experience of leading teams.
• Experience of monitoring outcomes and demonstrating impact.

Knowledge & Understanding

• Arts in Health and recovery-focused practice.
• Creative education and adult learning principles.
• Mental health and wellbeing frameworks.
• Safeguarding.
• Personalised care approaches.
• Outcome measurement, quality assurance and continuous improvement.

Skills & Attributes

• Excellent leadership and communication skills.

• Strong financial and numeric acumen.
• Strategic thinking with strong operational delivery.
• Excellent partnership and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong organisational and analytical capability.
• Commitment to creativity, inclusion and social impact.

How to Apply

Core Arts are committed to finding the right person for this role. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and suitable candidates invited to interview as they are received, so early applications are encouraged. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

To apply, please send a full CV and covering letter explaining how your experience meets the job description