B5 Occupational Therapist

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Become part of our team.

We care for you as much as you care for others.

There’s a place for you at CNWL.

We’re passionate about delivering first‑class patient‑centred, safe and effective care, whether it is in a hospital setting, in a community clinic or in the patient’s own home.

Patients are at the heart of everything we do.

Providing top quality care depends on our ability to employ the best people. We’re always looking to recruit outstanding people who will go the extra mile to support our patients, colleagues, teams and the Trust.

With every new employee we’re hoping to find our future leaders and we’ll support our staff by providing opportunities to develop your career.

With a diverse culture and equally diverse range of opportunities across mental health, community services, addictions, eating disorders, learning disabilities and more – whatever stage of your career you’re at, there's always a place for you at CNWL.

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.

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

Are you a passionate and motivated Occupational Therapist looking to develop your career in mental health?

We are seeking a Band 5 Occupational Therapist to join our dynamic Community Mental Health Hub team.

This is an exciting opportunity to deliver high‑quality, recovery‑focused occupational therapy interventions to adults experiencing mental health difficulties within a supportive multidisciplinary team.

You will manage a defined caseload, providing evidence‑based assessment, intervention, and evaluation through both individual and group work.

We are looking for an enthusiastic team player with strong communication skills, a commitment to evidence‑based practice, and a genuine interest in mental health occupational therapy.

You will be supported by experienced senior OTs (band 6 and band 7) and encouraged to contribute to teaching, supervision, and quality improvement activities.

There is a trust wide band 5 OT network for support and development.

In return, we offer a collaborative working environment, access to professional networks, and opportunities to develop specialist skills within a forward‑thinking NHS Trust.

Join us and help make a real difference to the lives of the people we support.

Main duties of the job

You will work collaboratively with service users to promote independence, social inclusion, and wellbeing, supporting them to achieve meaningful goals and improve their quality of life.

The role includes using recognised assessment tools, applying clinical reasoning, and contributing to care planning in line with recovery principles.

As part of your role, you will also support the delivery of community groups, contribute to service development initiatives, and work closely with partner agencies.

You will receive regular supervision and have access to structured professional development opportunities, including OT clinical networks and an OT to OT training program, enabling you to build your skills and progress within the Trust.

Working for our organisation

OTs in CNWL are very fortunate in having a long‑established professional structure & this includes an AHP director, Trust‑wide Professional Head of OT, borough and specialist Head OTs.

Personal and professional development is a high priority for the profession and is underpinned by our OT R&D strategy, R&D specialist groups and OT clinical networks.

This enables us to invest in the development of our staff by providing excellent internal training as well as commissioning specialised external training and providing quality supervision.

This ensures all our OTs reach their full potential at every stage of their career.

Our commitment to research, audit and EBP is made possible by our strong links with local universities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To provide the multidisciplinary team (MDT) with an occupational therapy service; this will include individual and group work, assessment, intervention and evaluation in accordance with the Royal College of OT (RCOT) under the guidance of Senior OT staff.

To provide occupational therapy assessment and intervention, in individual and group settings for a designated caseload.

To manage a designated caseload of service users with mental health needs; using evidence based and recovery principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate treatment.

To integrate evidence based practice and skilful use of assessments & interventions with personal recovery principles in order to improve the service users’ quality of life and to support them to do the things they want to do and live the life they want to lead.

To apply a level of understanding of the effects of mental illness and physical conditions; providing training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to the service user’s social and physical environment.

This will include undertaking assessments and making recommendations with regards to the provision of equipment/aids and adaptations.

To contribute to service development of local & Trust wide OT services.

To provide leadership to unqualified staff and peer support workers through supervision and appraisal as required.

Person specification

EDUCATION and QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy.
• Registered with HCPC.
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
• PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
• Some experience in a mental health setting (voluntary / student)
• Experience of group facilitation
• Experience of working in a multicultural environment
• Previous experience of using MOHO assessment tools.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Can demonstrate an application of OT process.
• Is able to undertake caseload management.
• Clear understanding of risk assessment and management.
• Clear understanding of the assessment process and use of assessment tools.
• Demonstrates reflective practice.
• Demonstrates service user centred practice.
• Interest in a variety of therapeutic approaches and techniques: practical/creative/psycho‑educational and psychodynamic.
• Ability to work creatively to engage service users.
• Ability to prioritise workload/use own initiative.
• Ability to treat service users with respect and dignity at all times, adopting a culturally sensitive approach, which considers the needs of the whole person.
• Ability to build constructive working relationships (colleagues and service users).
• Demonstrates effective communication skills both written and verbal.
• Use of standardised assessment tools.
• SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE
• Has knowledge of OT theory related to practice.
• Can demonstrate clear clinical reasoning skills.
• Knowledge of mental health conditions.
• Awareness of local and national issues and relevant legislation.
• Has a clear concept of clinical models of practice.
• Demonstrates a clear understanding of Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
• Has an understanding on the Recovery in mental health and Recovery principles.
• Supervision of students.
• RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
• Demonstrates an understanding of EBP.
• Experience of MOHO.
• PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
• Is able to take responsibility.
• Has excellent team skills.
• Has excellent time management and organisational skills.
• OTHER
• Acceptable attendance record.
• Declared medically fit by the Occupational Health Department to perform the duties of the post.
• The post holder must have the ability to understand and implement the Equal Opportunities Policy at a level appropriate to the job.
• Shows an interest in this specific post.
• Membership of RCo T/specialist section.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (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.

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.

Name Emma Barton Job title Head Occupational Therapist, Kensington & Chelsea Email address emma. barton@nhs. net Telephone number 07720 304122

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