Head of Arts and Wellbeing

Job Description

Head of Arts and Wellbeing

Responsible to:Deputy Chief Executive

Payscale:50 – 52

Description of Role

The Head of Arts and Wellbeing is responsible for:

• Development and implementation of a national arts and wellbeing programme for Sense.

• Supporting staff to deliver a range of arts, sport and recreational programmes.

• Developing Sense’s reputation in the arts and cultural sector as delivering accessible, inclusive and high-quality arts, sport, and recreational programmes.

• Delivering a range of multidisciplinary and integrated arts and wellbeing programmes for people with sensory impairments.

• Being the “Goal Leader” for Goal 6 of Sense’s 2013-16 Strategy – Developing initiatives in arts/culture and healthy living including contributing to forthcoming strategy development.

• Managing a national team of full-time and part-time employees developing and delivering arts, sport and recreational programmes.

• Building and maintaining strong relationships across various levels of the organisation, supporting a range of operational services to develop and deliver high quality programmes.

• Recognising the challenging financial climate, identifying income generation opportunities, and, in conjunction with business development, fundraising or other colleagues, supporting the creation of new income streams to support the work areas on which the post holder is leading.

• Supporting Community Services and Children’s Specialist Services to develop and deliver a transition service offer that incorporates arts and wellbeing.

Specific Responsibilities

1.National Arts and Wellbeing Portfolio

1.1To oversee the development and operation of a programme of high quality, interesting and varied arts, sport and cultural programmes for the people Sense supports including children, young people, adults and older people with sensory impairments and associated disabilities.

1.2To be directly responsible for any other nationally led services and activities in which partnerships with national arts, sport and cultural providers are established and continue.

1.3To review and develop relevant guidelines and policies which support and enhance Sense’s arts and wellbeing provision including excellent monitoring and evaluation processes.

1.4To work across Sense sites and services to develop and extend the range of arts, sport and cultural opportunities available to the people Sense supports whether through operational services or wider networks or our members. As well, to continue supporting staff to advocate for improved access to arts, sport and culture for people with sensory impairments and other disabilities in local communities.

1.5To advise about training materials for staff internally, and to develop external training materials in conjunction with the practice development functions of Sense.

1.6To produce, distribute and promote reports and literature relating to the work of arts and wellbeing targeting audiences across the health and social care, third sector, arts and cultural sector, and sport and leisure sectors.

1.7To develop and implement wellbeing promotion and evaluation in existing and new services according to statutory requirements. To support research, analysis and dissemination of these findings to inform best practice.

1.8To support community services to design, implement and evaluate new opportunities for wellbeing service development.

1.9To ensure professional, vocational and educational development opportunities are available to Sense service users in arts and entrepreneurship through developing and delivering a sustainable mentoring programme.

1.10To work with the communications and public awareness department to promote the work of Sense in arts, sport and culture, targeting an increased supporter base and new demographic while expanding our reach.

2.Strategy Goal Leader

2.1To work with colleagues across all parts of Sense to deliver the existing Sense arts and wellbeing strategy – Developing initiatives in arts/culture and healthy living. As well, to contribute to the design and implementation of the 2016-19 strategy for arts and wellbeing growth, and to support colleagues in diversifying funding streams, attract new sources of funding, including new services to take to market.

2.2To increase the number of people who are deafblind, or experience sensory impairment and associated disabilities accessing arts, sport and cultural opportunities.

2.3To build on the quality of training and support we offer staff, volunteers and external partners to deliver accessible and inclusive arts, sport and cultural opportunities.

2.4To increase the number of arts, sport and cultural providers we work in partnership with to build upon their commitment and support to Sense.

2.5To find ways to engage more cultural partners in all aspects of Sense’s work.

2.6To develop a range of additional services relying on the input of the people we support to co-produce person-centred and user-driven integrated services.

2.7To enhance opportunities within Sense for people to develop skills through involvement in arts, sport and cultural activity, which will increase the potential for people to secure employment in the future.

2.8To develop appropriate KPIs to track progress against the strategic goal and to report against them as required.

2.9To network externally as Sense’s arts and wellbeing lead, promoting Sense’s work in this area, learning from others and contributing to the development of best practice across the sector.

2.10To ensure that there is effective evaluation of any new service developments and that work and practice is reflective.

3.General Management

3.1To pro-actively support the strategic, corporate and operational aspects of Sense’s work.

3.2To manage a team of permanent paid staff, freelance artist/facilitators, student placements and volunteers according to Sense policies and procedures.

3.3To ensure services for which the postholder is responsible are financially robust and in line with budgets, identifying and maximising income streams to support any new services developed.

3.4To manage multiple budgets and report to a range of trusts and statutory funders in a timely and effective way, managing competing priorities.

3.5To meet any current or future regulatory requirements.

3.6To operate any relevant elements of the Sense Quality Framework.

4.Other Duties

4.1To comply with Sense policies and procedures regarding the operation of services, and the employment of staff, actively promoting the principles of equal opportunities and working in a manner that maintains a safe, healthy and supportive environment and the people we support.

4.2To carry out any other duties commensurate with this role.

Person Specification

Head of Arts and Wellbeing

Education and Training
Essential Criteria / Desirable Criteria
Degree level education in arts, education, health promotion, sport development or a combination, or equivalent professional experience
Able to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the current and developing social care agenda in England and Wales.
Evidence of wide-ranging knowledge of and skills in multi-arts provision in the social care or voluntary sector, including experience of working with a wide-range of arts and cultural providers. / Postgraduate qualifications in arts, education, research and/or social care and health and wellbeing promotion/evaluation.
Substantial up to date knowledge of the arts, sport and cultural sector in the UK and internationally as well as the social care and disability sector. / Evidence of an understanding of arts-health sector in the UK and internationally.
Achievements and Experience
Essential Criteria / Desirable Criteria
Able to demonstrate a significant history of achievement at a management level in developing and delivering varied arts, sport and cultural services and programmes in the social care or voluntary sector and/or in the arts, sport and cultural sector.
Experience of leading and managing complex projects and activities.
Experience of working with people with disabilities. / Experience of working with children and young people in transition.
Able to demonstrate a record of
ensuring processes are in place that
safeguard vulnerable people and
deliver excellent quality standards.
Significant evidence of building collaborative relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
Significant experience of managing diverse staff teams, delegation, empowerment and using resources effectively. / Experience of managing and supporting large numbers of paid staff, volunteers, freelance artists and students.
Significant experience of successful fundraising through a range of functions (trusts and statutory, events, corporate).
Significant experience of managing multiple budgets and reporting on small and large awards according to set guidelines, including experience of mixed-method monitoring and evaluation processes
Skills & Abilities
Essential Criteria / Desirable Criteria
A demonstrable commitment to user-led engagement at all levels of development and delivery of work and valuing diverse views, particularly those of people who are often marginalised.
A demonstrable commitment to delivering positive change in the lives of the people Sense supports and their families / Evidence of understanding of how to effectively engage with deafblind people or other groups with varied communication needs.
A flexible approach to work, including unsocial hours and across a number of locations around England, Wales and Northern Ireland.