Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to support patients' recovery at home through innovative therapy.
- Company: Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, a leading provider of community health services.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, excellent training opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Work in beautiful Sussex, with access to diverse communities and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in patients' lives while developing your skills in a compassionate setting.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified Occupational Therapist with a passion for rehabilitation.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
The Home First service brings together nurses, therapists, health and therapy assistants, to work with the acute Multi-Disciplinary Team & Transfer of Care Hubs to promote an efficient, effective discharge from hospital to the patient’s own home. Our multidisciplinary teams work flexibly to provide a 7-day service, 365 days a year, between 8am and 8pm. Patients who are discharged from hospital into Home First will be receiving step-down intermediate care, involving community-based assessments and interventions provided in their own home to support recovery and monitoring of their health in the early days post discharge to prevent re-admission. Home First will, where required, provide acute reablement for up to 10 days, supporting people to achieve functional goals and work towards independence with activities of daily living.
You could become part of our exciting service, bringing the unique benefits of a wraparound recovery service from hospital discharge. The principle of the service ensuring that recovery involves working towards the person being as independent as possible through enablement.
Role
We are looking for an Occupational Therapist to join us, so if you’re an ambitious, proactive, with an interest in rehabilitation and reablement, looking for a role in a team that provides cutting-edge, excellent community care, we’d love to hear from you!
Responsibilities
The postholder will work as a Therapist/Allied Health Professional within Home First or as part of a rotation in Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust. They will manage a caseload of patients with a variety of conditions. There will be an expectation to formulate and deliver an individual treatment programme based on a sound knowledge of evidence-based practice and treatment options using clinical assessment and reasoning skills.
About Us
We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays. Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.
Why Work for Us?
- Positive 2024 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing
- Varied environments: community hospitals, patients’ homes, and bases across Sussex
- Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retirement
- Excellent training, development, and research opportunities
- Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton
- Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networks
- Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust
- Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast
Our values—Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence—guide everything we do.
We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.
This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.
You will need to be able to drive with a full UK licence and access to a vehicle due to the geographic area covered by the team.
Further information is available in the attached job description and person specification.
If you would like to discuss this role or find out more, you can contact our Operational Team Leads, Ellen Gaine 07881380863 ellen.gaine@nhs.net
This advert closes on Sunday 12 Oct 2025
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Band 5 Occupational Therapist | Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust employer: Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
Contact Detail:
Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Band 5 Occupational Therapist | Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to rehabilitation and reablement. We recommend role-playing with a friend to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for community care during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've helped others achieve independence, as this aligns perfectly with the values of the Home First service.
✨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 amazing team at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.
We think you need these skills to ace Band 5 Occupational Therapist | Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
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 in rehabilitation and reablement, and show how your skills align with our values of Compassionate Care and Working Together.
Showcase Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for community care! Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles, especially in helping patients achieve independence and manage their health effectively.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon, making it easy for us to understand your qualifications and experiences. Remember, we want to see your personality shine through!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application via our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people and shows that you’re serious about joining our team at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest evidence-based practices in occupational therapy. Familiarise yourself with common conditions you might encounter in the Home First service, and be ready to discuss how you would approach treatment plans for these patients.
✨Show Your Passion for Community Care
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for working in community settings. Share any relevant experiences where you've helped patients achieve independence or worked within a multidisciplinary team. This will show that you align with the Trust's vision of providing excellent care at the heart of the community.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask your interviewers. Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how they measure success in patient outcomes. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
✨Embrace the Values
Familiarise yourself with the Trust's values: Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence. Be prepared to give examples of how you've embodied these values in your previous roles, as this will resonate well with the interview panel.