Kairos Arts is offering a new training course in therapeutic arts.

The Level 6 Diploma in Therapeutic Arts Practice with Children and Young People will be available to apply for from today (24 April).

The Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body has accredited the course, which is believed to be the first of its kind in the Channel Islands.

Kairos Arts will deliver the Jersey-based and focussed course from September, which will be offered on a not-for-profit basis to keep fees as low as possible for students.

Naomi Bidmead, the acting CEO of Kairos Arts, says this course is a unique tool for any professional working with children and young people.

"“There are current concerns about an epidemic of mental health challenges with children and young people.

To support children and young people in a variety of settings, professionals from a range of backgrounds may find that broadening their skills to include art techniques leads to better communication and engagement with the children with whom they are working."

Marilyn Carré, the Kairos Arts Training Director, believes the course will have great benefits:

“As an accredited psychotherapist of many years standing, I am always excited to hear about new and innovative ways of working with young people and children. Ways which will release them to express their trauma safely, but which transcends verbal exchange alone. An exchange which they generally do not have the sophistication to verbally access in a way that an adult’s vocabulary may allow. This Level 6 Diploma is the first of its kind within the Channel Islands, and I strongly believe, will fill the gap in many professional workers toolboxes.”

The course also gives islanders the potential to specialise and study MA Art Therapy at university.

Islanders who want to join the Level 6 Diploma are asked to contact: [email protected]