Assertive Outreach Occupational Therapist

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Assertive Outreach Occupational Therapist

NHS AfC: Band 6

Main area Occupational Therapy Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week Job ref 333-G-HM-0818

Site Mill House Town Uxbridge Salary £45,953 - £54,254 per annum inc HCAS pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 27/10/2026 23:59

CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) has almost 8,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London's population, Milton Keynes and areas beyond. We involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run.

Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation. We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference. We’re proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME and people with disabilities to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.

We are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. We aim to employ only the best people, and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.

We offer a generous relocation package (subject to eligibility assessment) and flexible working options, including bank assignments for most roles. For more information on these and other benefits of working for us, see our Benefits, Reward and Wellbeing page

Become part of our team. We care for you as much as you care for others.

CNWL NHS Foundation Trust are committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices to protect children and vulnerable adults.

Job overview

Hillingdon Adult Community Mental Health Services are seeking a motivated and experienced Band 6 Occupational Therapist (OT) to join our new Assertive Outreach pathway.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about delivering high‑quality care, proactive care. and is committed to supporting people in their mental health recovery.

The successful candidate will join a wider Community Mental Health Hub OT service that prides itself on innovation, excellent service delivery and continued learning.

This post is based at Mill House, but you will be required to visit patients across the Borough depending on service demand.

The post holder will manage a small, high-intensity caseload, delivering time-limited, occupationally focused interventions through proactive engagement. Practice will be guided by Assertive Outreach principles, with an emphasis on collaborative risk management, sustaining engagement and reducing barriers to recovery.

Working with individuals presenting with complex mental health needs, the post holder will assess the impact of illness on occupational performance, daily functioning and participation. Interventions will be strengths-based and trauma-informed, supporting individuals to develop meaningful routines, increase independence, enhance community participation, and achieve their recovery goals.

The role requires flexible working across a range of settings, including service users’ homes and community environments, to enable assessment and intervention within real-life contexts.The Assertive Outreach Team role is patient-facing, requiring proactive outreach, direct therapeutic intervention and consistent face-to-face engagement. As such, the role is not suitable for remote or hybrid working arrangements.

Working for our organisation

Are you passionate about helping others live meaningful lives? Join us as an Occupational Therapist at CNWL.

We are committed to creating a supportive, inclusive and reflective working environment where people feel valued, listened to and able to do their best work. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team that prioritises recovery-focused, person-centred care and values collaboration, curiosity and compassion.

We recognise that high-quality care depends on staff wellbeing and support this through flexible working, regular supervision and protected reflective space. We are committed to developing our Occupational Therapists, offering role-relevant training, leadership development and opportunities to broaden or specialise practice within community mental health.

As part of CNWL, you will also benefit from a wide range of staff wellbeing resources, award-winning staff networks, and an extensive NHS benefits package designed to support your work–life balance and overall wellbeing.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See attached Job description and Person Specification for further information on the job role requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical

• deliver specialist occupational therapy assessment and intervention for individuals with complex mental health needs
• provide assertive outreach interventions, including intensive and time-limited support during periods of risk or disengagement
• use proactive and persistent engagement approaches to maintain contact with individuals who are difficult to engage
• plan and deliver interventions with clear goals, outcome measures and structured transition planning
• contribute to risk assessment and management, balancing positive risk-taking with safety
• manage referrals and hold a small, high-intensity caseload within the multidisciplinary team
• prioritise work load and delegate appropriately to support staff
• apply occupational therapy models (e.g. MOHO) to inform clinical reasoning and interventions
• use outcome measures to evaluate effectiveness and inform care planning
• place service users at the centre of goal setting and involve carers where appropriate
• deliver culturally responsive and inclusive care
• prescribe equipment to support occupational performance in line with Trust policy

Person specification

Qualifications & Education

• Degree/ Diploma or equivalent in OT
• HCPC registered as an OT
• Relevant post-grad training
• Practice Educator training
• RCOT membership
• Training in specialist standardised assessments

Previous Experience

• Experience as an OT in secondary mental health
• Experience of engaging people who find it difficult to access/ sustain contact with services
• Experience of managing a complex caseload, including lone working and autonomous decision-making
• Experience of working collaborative with MDTs, service users and carers to co-produce care
• Experience of working in assertive outreach or similar intensive community based services
• Experience of trauma-informed practice

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Ability to apply OT theory/ models/ assessments to plan & deliver 1:1 and groupwork
• Strong and adaptable communication skills
• Understanding of how mental and physical health impact on occupational performance
• Evidence of culturally inclusive practice
• Knowledge of research and service development principles
• Knowledge and skills in solution focused or motivational interviewing interventions
• Knowledge of housing, benefits & wider health & social care systems
• Experience of working with people within the criminal justice system

Attitude/ Aptitude & Personal Characteristics

• motivated to working in an assertive outreach service
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and delegate
• Ability to manage conflict and maintain professional boundaries
• Self-awareness and commitment to ongoing learning & development

Other

• Ability to travel and undertake home visits
• Willingness to work flexibly (including evenings/weekends if required)

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI can be used as a support tool, not a replacement for the applicant’s own work.Applications must remain personal, accurate, and reflective of the candidate’s real experience.AI-generated content must not misrepresent skills, qualifications, or experience.Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

We monitor applications for any behaviour that could create an unfair advantage, and we check all references carefully. You are likely to be tested on your experience at interview, so be honest and make sure all the information in your application is correct. Please note that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is prohibited during the interview process.

The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.

• Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Before submitting your application and to avoid disappointment please check that you are eligible under the UKVI points based system
• Our Agenda for Change employment contracts are subject to a contractual 13 week probationary period.
• If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

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