At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide specialist occupational therapy to support rehabilitation and positive outcomes for individuals.
- Company: Join Serco Limited, a leader in community-focused rehabilitation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 23 days holiday, pension scheme, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with a focus on inclusion and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your professional skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in Occupational Therapy and experience with complex needs required.
The predicted salary is between 37412 - 38629 € per year.
Location: HMP Dovegate, Staffordshire, ST14 8XR
Salary: £37,412.50 – £38,629 per annum, pro rata plus excellent benefits
Schedule: Part‑time – two days per week / 16 hours per week
As an Occupational Therapist in our Therapeutic Community team at HMP Dovegate, you’ll provide specialist occupational therapy assessment and intervention within the Enhanced Assessment Unit, supporting participants with complex psychological presentations to stabilise, engage and prepare for therapy. This purposeful role contributes directly to rehabilitation, risk reduction and positive outcomes. You’ll help people build routines, develop emotional and sensory regulation, and engage meaningfully in community life, creating the foundations for longer‑term therapeutic progress and a safer future for individuals and the wider community.
What you’ll do as an Occupational Therapist:
- Deliver specialist occupational therapy assessments focusing on occupational functioning, daily living skills, emotional and sensory regulation, neurodiversity and engagement capacity
- Design and deliver occupation‑based interventions to support stabilisation, routine development and therapeutic readiness
- Contribute occupational perspectives to multidisciplinary formulation, assessment reports and case discussions
- Provide consultation, guidance and modelling to colleagues to support trauma‑responsive and psychologically informed practice
- Promote meaningful activity, autonomy and responsibility in line with therapeutic community principles
- Maintain accurate and timely clinical records and engage fully in supervision and professional development
Does this sound like you? You’ll be a great fit for this role if you have:
- A degree or diploma in Occupational Therapy with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration
- Experience delivering occupational therapy to adults with complex needs, mental health difficulties or neurodiversity
- Confidence working within a multidisciplinary team environment
- A trauma‑informed, neurodiversity‑affirming and person‑centred approach
- The emotional resilience and professional judgement needed to work in a secure or complex setting
Vetting and checks: An enhanced DBS check is required for this role, covering spent and unspent convictions, cautions, and any relevant information held by local police, in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and safeguarding requirements. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire to allow us to provide any support needed for you to succeed in the role.
What we offer:
- Holiday entitlement: starts at 23 days plus bank holidays, increasing to 25 days with tenure
- Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
- Training and development: Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression
- Health and wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme; Bupa Anytime HealthLine; wellbeing app; 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres; 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
- Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, including food, clothing, days out, entertainment and travel
- Charity: Paid volunteering day, tax‑free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, and donate your pennies from the monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
- Employee networks: Our networks support inclusion and connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all colleagues including LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, veterans and people from all cultural backgrounds
Occupational Therapist - Therapeutic Community employer: Serco Limited
Serco Limited is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture at HMP Dovegate in Staffordshire. As an Occupational Therapist, you will benefit from extensive training and development opportunities, a generous holiday entitlement, and a strong focus on employee wellbeing, including access to health services and discounts. Join us to make a meaningful impact in rehabilitation while enjoying a collaborative environment that values diversity and personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Occupational Therapist - Therapeutic Community
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Serco, especially those in the Therapeutic Community team. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to occupational therapy and trauma-informed care. We recommend role-playing with a friend to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for helping others! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles. This will highlight your commitment to rehabilitation and community engagement.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Serco.
We think you need these skills to ace Occupational Therapist - Therapeutic Community
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Occupational Therapist role. Highlight your experience with complex needs and how you can contribute to our Therapeutic Community team at HMP Dovegate.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills in emotional and sensory regulation can make a difference. Use specific examples from your past work to illustrate your approach and successes.
Be Person-Centred:We love a person-centred approach! In your application, reflect on how you’ve supported individuals in the past, especially in a multidisciplinary team setting. This will show us you’re a great fit for our values.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. It’s straightforward and ensures your application gets to the right people quickly. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Serco Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of occupational therapy principles, especially those related to trauma-informed care and neurodiversity. Be ready to discuss specific interventions you've used in the past and how they align with the role at HMP Dovegate.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare examples from your previous roles where you've worked with adults facing complex needs. Highlight your ability to engage with multidisciplinary teams and how you've contributed to positive outcomes for clients.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Come prepared with questions that show your interest in the Therapeutic Community model and how it operates within a secure setting. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the environment is the right fit for you.
✨Emphasise Emotional Resilience
Be ready to discuss situations where you've had to demonstrate emotional resilience and professional judgement. Share how you handle challenging scenarios, as this role requires a strong capacity to manage stress and maintain a supportive atmosphere for clients.
