Occupational Therapist

The Group Programme Pathway Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Band 5 Occupational Therapist to lead and develop a growing programme of therapeutic groups for adults experiencing mental health difficulties.

The post holder will play a key role in delivering recovery-focused occupational therapy interventions through group work, supporting service users to develop coping strategies, improve emotional wellbeing, increase independence and engage in meaningful occupations. The role will involve assessing individuals for suitability for group interventions, developing and reviewing care plans, undertaking risk assessments and evaluating outcomes to ensure effective, person-centred care.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the Occupational Therapist will facilitate a range of psychoeducational, skills-based and recovery-focused groups, whilst contributing to the ongoing development of new interventions in response to service need. The post holder will work closely with colleagues across the CMHT to support and co-facilitate wider group programmes and promote occupational therapy within the service.

This is an excellent opportunity for a clinician with a passion for group work, recovery-oriented practice and service development. The successful candidate will be supported to develop their skills within a dynamic and innovative community mental health setting.

Main duties of the job

• Deliver high-quality, recovery-focused occupational therapy interventions within the Community Mental Health Team.
• Assess service users' suitability for participation in therapeutic, psychoeducational and skills-based groups.
• Complete occupational therapy assessments to identify strengths, needs, risks and barriers to recovery.
• Maintain accurate, timely and professional clinical records in accordance with Trust policies.
• Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team to ensure coordinated care and positive outcomes for service users.
• Promote recovery, self-management, independence and social inclusion through occupationally focused practice.
• Liaise with carers, families, statutory services and community organisations to support recovery and continuity of care.
• Contribute to discharge planning and transition pathways where appropriate.
• Collect, analyse and report on group attendance, engagement and outcome data to demonstrate service effectiveness.
• Maintain professional registration and practice in accordance with HCPC and Royal College of Occupational Therapists standards.
• Participate in regular clinical and management supervision, annual appraisal and continuing professional development activities.
• Actively contribute to a positive team culture, supporting colleagues and promoting collaborative working across the service.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post and consistent with the responsibilities of a Band 5 Occupational Therapist.

Working for our organisation

NHFT is an NHS Community and Mental Health Foundation Trust, providing physical, mental health and specialty services in hospital settings and in the community. We provide over 200 services across the county - as well as some specialist services in bordering and nearby counties. We work together with our partners to ensure that everyone who comes through our doors receives compassionate, person-centred care, regardless of their background or circumstances.

NHFT promotes a culture of learning, to improve the care and safety of our patients and colleagues. We have achieved our ‘outstanding’ rating by encouraging opportunity, innovation, development and growth across our workforce.

At NHFT we believe that work should be rewarded in every sense which is why we are proud to an accredited living wage employer.

We aim to support financial wellbeing and create an environment where are people feel valued and able to thrive.

We are an equal opportunities employer, which aims to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons from all backgrounds.

All roles are subject to the home office immigration rules and therefore eligibility must meet certain requirements for any sponsorship to be considered. Please visit the government website for more information regarding eligibility,

At NHFT we support many of our colleagues to work flexibly and we will consider requests for flexible working from day one. For this role, we are open to discussing a range of options including flexible hours, agile/home working, compressed hours and part time hours. Please have a conversation with the recruiting manager about the flexibility you need and we will promise to explore what is possible with you.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.

All posts that are engaged in a regulated activity will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and a DBS re-check on a three yearly basis whilst employed in such a role. Staff employed in these posts will therefore be asked to register with the DBS Automatic Update Service upon receipt of their DBS certificate and must update yearly , the annual fee will be reimbursed subject to Trust policy. For further information please visit: DBS Update Service: applicant guide - GOV.UK (

Please note if a DBS is applicable for the position then a charge will be deducted from your first salary.

Please note that all new starters to the trustare subject to a probationary period.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Develop, implement and review person-centred care plans in collaboration with service users and carers where appropriate.
• Facilitate a range of occupational therapy groups aimed at improving emotional wellbeing, daily living skills, confidence, resilience, social participation and recovery.
• Support the planning, development and implementation of new group programmes in response to identified service needs and emerging priorities.
• Adapt group interventions to meet the individual needs of participants, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity.
• Monitor and evaluate service user progress through outcome measures, goal setting and clinical review.
• Support and supervise occupational therapy students, apprentices or learners as required.
• Undertake and regularly review risk assessments, implementing appropriate risk management plans where required.
• Provide occupational therapy input to multidisciplinary discussions, reviews and care planning meetings.
• Co-facilitate and support wider CMHT group programmes alongside colleagues from nursing, psychology and other professional backgrounds.
• Assist in the promotion and development of occupational therapy within the Community Mental Health Team.
• Support service users to identify and engage with meaningful activities that enhance health, wellbeing and quality of life.

Person specification

Experience of planning, facilitating and evaluating theraputic groups

• Detail in the type of groups led
• Managing engagement and participation
• Discussion of outcome measues
• Supported running group but not leading

Experience of working collaboratively as a MDT

• Able to describe role in team
• Communication with colleages
• Patient focused outcomes

Ability to demonstrate occupational therapy principles to support recovery

• Ability to describe recovery focused practice
• Link between recovery focused activity and wellbeing
• How occupational therapy can improve your life

Ability to identify appropriate service users for groups

• Ability to review and manage risk
• Patient identification of goals

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.

Name Claire Barron Job title CMHT Group Programme Pathway Operations Manager Email address Telephone number

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