§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what training courses for art therapists are recognised by his Department.
§ Mr. DeakinsThe Department's main criterion for authorising appointments as an art therapist is that the person concerned should normally hold an art qualification following at least two years' post-A-level study. There is one specialised course in art therapy as such, and specialised options in the subject are available as part of two other diploma courses.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the maximum salary payable to an art therapist in the National Health Service; and how this compares with the pay of other remedial therapists.
§ Mr. DeakinsIf pay supplements are included, the maximum salary payable to an art therepist is £3,690, to which London weighting and any overtime and other allowances would be added. This corresponds to 95 per cent. of the maximum salary of a senior II grading in the remedial professions covered by the Professional and Technical A Whitley Councils.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many art therapists are employed by the National Health Service.
§ Mr. DeakinsAbout 100.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what machinery exists for negotiation of salary and conditions for art therapists within the National Health Service; what action is being taken to include them within the Whitley Council; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DeakinsArt therapists are not at present within the purview of the NHS Whitley Councils. Their terms and conditions of service are not covered by any other machinery for joint negotiation and are fixed by my center hon. Friend by analogy with the terms negotiated by the450W Professional and Technical A Whitley Council for other professional staff. I understand that the question of bringing art therapists into a Whitley Council is currently under consideration.