At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide quality-driven care and lead the occupational therapy service for individuals with autism.
- Company: Join St Andrew's, a leading mental health charity dedicated to inspiring hope.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension, and access to professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while advancing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: 5 years of OT experience and leadership skills required; passion for mental health is essential.
- Other info: Flexible hours, excellent career growth, and a vibrant team culture await you.
Fixed Term Contract Up to 12-months
Location: Northampton
Specialist Services, Autism
Salary: £47,741 per annum, pro rata
Hours: Ideally 37.5 per week but open to flexibility
We are looking for a driven, passionate and experienced Occupational Therapist who is committed to providing quality driven care for those within our services. We want someone who is focussed on the quality and development of clinical outcomes, as well as supporting the overall management and leadership of the occupational therapy service within the hospital. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the highly specialist skills they have developed over their career as well as evidence of their ability to manage and lead others.
The successful candidate will be expected to support the Lead Occupational Therapist in driving the occupational therapy strategy forward; contributing to continual quality improvement and service innovation. They will also require the skills to role model and energise the workforce; understanding that the health and wellbeing of our staff is critical to the care and treatment of those using our service.
Our Charity: We are St Andrew's. We are a mental health charity and our purpose is to inspire hope for those living with complex mental health needs. We are looking to a future with less stigma, more community support, more research and education, and we aim to be at the forefront of inspiring real change. We want to ensure we can all live in a society where everyone with complex mental health needs is heard, valued and has hope for their future. Come and join us and support us to help people transform their lives.
Specialist Services: Our aim is to provide high-quality assessment, care and treatment, helping patients to progress to the least restrictive setting by equipping them with the skills required to live as independently as possible, closer to communities of their choosing. Our teams are multi-disciplinary with extensive knowledge, skills and experience of working with individuals with complex needs. We include patients in planning their care, valuing and embracing each and every individual's unique qualities.
The role sits within our specialist services, working within our wards that specialise in caring for people with autism. As a highly experienced registered occupational therapist, you would be joining a motivated, knowledgeable and innovative OT team. You will contribute to a multi-disciplinary clinical team; taking responsibility for a clinical caseload, and offering OT specific assessment and treatment to groups and individuals within your care. Strong communication skills are essential, both written and verbal, with the ability to develop good professional relationships with your clinical team and the wider senior leadership team.
Alongside your clinical workload you will be responsible for a small team and the overall development of the occupational therapy service within the division.
Applicant requirements:
- Ideally 5 years experience as an occupational therapist.
- Ideally 2 years of line management and leadership responsibilities.
- Ideally post graduate training in sensory integration and/or evidence of the use of sensory approach within practice.
- Experience working in at least one of the following clinical areas: Secure Services, LD or ASD Services, Mental Health Care.
- Evidence of an ability to undertake quality assurance tasks; continuous quality improvement projects, auditing, service development within the unit and division.
- Ability to independently undertake tasks related to HR, investigations and safeguarding.
- Evidence of working on divisional level initiatives/research/leadership projects.
- Evidence of leading and inspiring others in their career.
As an employee of St Andrews you will adopt an inclusive and can do attitude in approaching your work. You will demonstrate excellent understanding of occupational therapy within secure/Learning Disability/Autism services, including an application of risk assessment skills. In sharing your experience of applying the OT process, you should also emphasise how you promote our specialism as a profession.
Continued professional development is encouraged, with access to a range of in-house CPD events, as well as an expectation to support the development and training of others. Further opportunities include networking opportunities with colleagues of the same and different grades within the service and the Charity.
We offer an excellent package that includes:
- Pension; Sickness policy on par with the NHS;
- Access to the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts schemes;
- 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), increasing to 33 days after 10 years' service;
- Life cover;
- Electric Car lease scheme;
- Cycle to work scheme;
- Healthcare cash plan;
- Free parking;
- Paid DBS application;
- Access to free vocational qualifications.
On-site facilities such as cafes all set within beautiful grounds.
If this sounds like you then we'd love you to get in touch.
Closing Date: Tuesday 17th February 2026
Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist in Northampton employer: St Andrew’s Healthcare
Contact Detail:
St Andrew’s Healthcare Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist in Northampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the occupational therapy field, especially those who work with autism or mental health. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, whether at a networking event or an interview, be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've improved clinical outcomes in your previous roles. We want to see that passion and expertise shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of social media! Follow organisations like St Andrew's on platforms like LinkedIn. Engage with their posts and share your insights on occupational therapy. This can help you get noticed by hiring managers looking for someone just like you.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our mission to inspire hope for those with complex mental health needs.
We think you need these skills to ace Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for occupational therapy shine through. We want to see how committed you are to providing quality care and supporting those with complex needs.
Highlight Your Experience: Make sure to detail your relevant experience, especially in leadership and management roles. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate their highly specialist skills and how they’ve contributed to service innovation.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor it to reflect the specific requirements of the role. Mention your experience with autism services and how you can contribute to our multi-disciplinary team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at St Andrew’s Healthcare
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of occupational therapy, especially in relation to autism and mental health care. Be ready to discuss specific cases or experiences that highlight your skills and how they align with the role.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Since the role involves managing a small team, be prepared to share examples of your leadership experience. Talk about how you've inspired others, managed conflicts, or contributed to service development in your previous roles.
✨Emphasise Quality Improvement
The job description mentions a focus on quality-driven care. Come equipped with examples of how you've contributed to quality assurance tasks or continuous improvement projects in your past positions. This will show your commitment to enhancing clinical outcomes.
✨Engage with the Team
Demonstrate your strong communication skills by engaging with the interviewers. Ask insightful questions about the team dynamics and how you can contribute to the overall management of the occupational therapy service. This shows you're not just interested in the role, but also in being part of the team.