When you join Hōhepa, you become part of our community of people, staff, volunteers, and contractors who all have a common goal - helping people to reach their full potential and lead enriched and meaningful lives in a holistic, supportive environment. We are a community leader providing services and support for people living with an intellectual disability to live their best lives and find a valued place in our society. Inspired by Dr Rudolf Steiner’s principles of anthroposophy, we seek to understand each person and situation as unique, not a one size fits all philosophy.
The Art Therapist provides therapeutic services using creative processes such as drawing, clay, collage, textiles or other forms of making to support the emotional, social and psychological wellbeing of people supported by Hōhepa Canterbury. The role works within a person-centred, trauma-informed, neuro-affirming and strengths-based framework to promote communication, participation, meaningful choice and self-expression.
You will be energetic, empathetic and able to work alongside individuals and groups to deliver therapy sessions that support emotional wellbeing, communication, participation and personal development.
The role involves assessing therapeutic needs, establishing meaningful goals and developing art therapy interventions that are responsive to individual communication styles, emotional needs, strengths and personal goals.
This position's salary scale is between $68,000 and $78,000 per annum (pro-rata)
16 per week, working two full days to include Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday
Your person-centred approach is what really matters at Hōhepa. You will have experience delivering art therapy services and a strong commitment to person-centered practice. Your enthusiasm and passion for helping others will make a real difference in people’s lives.
You will have experience with supporting individuals to safely express and process emotions, experiences, transitions, grief, trauma and significant life events through creative practice.
To thrive in this role you will:
Nga hua o te mahi ki a Hōhepa | Benefits of working at Hōhepa
At Hōhepa, as part of our team you will:
Applicants will be progressed as they apply, so if this sounds like you, please apply now!
Applicants must have a NZ full driver’s licence and ability to work in New Zealand.
Please note that the 90-day trial period will apply to any successful applicant who hasn’t previously worked for Hōhepa Canterbury
Hohepa Canterbury is a well-established provider of services and support to people with an intellectual disability and/or autism. Our practices, anthroposophical inspiration, and commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi Te Tiriti o Waitangi creates our distinctive approach to working with people with disability. We are led by the needs of people we support - tangata whaiora - and their families/whānau and communities.
Founded on an intentional community model we know that the safe and supportive environments give the people we support a foundation for reaching their potential. We offer a rich cultural experience, originating from Steiner’s anthroposophy, which gives people with a disability the opportunity to explore their creative talents, be nurtured through our therapies, and establish a rhythm to their life.
Hohepa Canterbury is a registered charitable trust and started life in 1965 as a Home School for nine young children. We have grown to support 130 youth and adults across our programmes on two sites and in the wider community. We employ over 150 staff in 35 homes, our learning and activity day services, and in management and administration.
The homes provide a variety of settings catering for people from their late teens
to their seventies, while supported opportunities vary from voluntary to paid work,
further study, artistic and craft endeavors, agriculture and community activities. In all ways we are seeking for the people we support to live a life fully lived.
All these services are enriched by a cultural life based on the principles of the
teachings of Rudolf Steiner. Each person we support has the right to reach their potential, to be safe, and to be supported to build the life they see for themselves.
“Our highest endeavors must be to develop free human beings who are able of
themselves to import purpose and direction in their lives”
Rudolf Steiner
