Senior Occupational Therapist

East London NHS Foundation Trust

Job summary

The East London Community Forensic Service (ELCFS) is a multidisciplinary service, developed for service users in the process of and following discharge from forensic inpatient services within East London.This post is for a Senior Occupational Therapist based in the community forensic team. The post will be permanent and will be working with service users who are discharged to our Newham.

The successful candidate will be expected to hold a referral-based caseload, carry out OT assessments and plan interventions, with a focus on daily skills and engagement in meaningful activities. They will need to work closely with the wider therapy team and participate in the planning and delivery of the group programme. They will also have animportant role in consulting with multidisciplinary teams, accommodation providers and partnerorganisations of ELCFS.

Main duties of the job

To be a Specialist Occupational Therapist, working as part of a Specialist CommunityForensic Multidisciplinary team, responsible for providing a high level of assessments,recovery-focused treatment and interventions with service-users within the forensicdirectorate.

To support service-users using a recovery-based model so that they can step-down intoincreasingly independent, less restrictive and lower-cost placements.

To work with service-users using a recidivism approach, working collaboratively indeveloping or reinforcing protective factors which can reduce the likelihood ofreoffending and/or relapsing.

To contribute to effective crisis and risk management plans, reducing likelihood of readmission into secure inpatient settings. To work creatively with service-users with aview of developing their employment skills, budgeting, self-care, participation inmeaningful activity and daily living skills.

To work across a number of boroughs in the East London area and demonstrateflexibility and autonomy.

Person Specification

Education/ Qualification/ Training

Essential

  • Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy.
  • HCPC Registration

Desirable

  • Further training in relevant area

Experience

Essential

  • Post qualification experience in Mental Health and/or a Forensic setting
  • Ability to initiate and follow through projects and demonstrate Leadership skills
  • Assertive in clinical and managerial situations
  • Excellent demonstrable written verbal and presentation skills
  • Experience of co-production
  • Clinical practice that is aligned with the principles of Trauma Informed Care

Desirable

  • Experience of clinically supervising OT staff and students
  • Experience in participating in research or audit

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Carry out culturally sensitive Occupational Therapy Assessment and treatment process skills
  • Good Interpersonal skills
  • Effective time and project management skills
  • Evaluate clinical work using formal and informal methods
  • Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi- disciplinary team.
  • Ability to present information in a clear, concise manner.
  • Models of O.T. and their practical application in the clinical field
  • Clinical risk assessment and management
  • Psychiatric conditions and treatment available including a range of treatment techniques
  • Able to deliver theory driven, occupation focused practice.
  • Needs and concerns of clients with mental health problems, broad knowledge base in professional clinical issues related to forensic OT.
  • Provide advice and support around clinical issues to other agencies and management as required.
  • Ability to assess and prescribe adaptive equipment to support independent living.
  • Skills in devising and implementing strategies to improve and monitor quality
  • Evidence of continuing professional development
  • Group work skills
  • Ability to apply recovery values and principles in day to day work
  • Good organisational skills
  • Ability to reflect on own performance
  • Ability to implement local policy and procedure
  • Ability to manage incidents of verbal and physical aggression

Desirable

  • Specialist assessment or intervention skills and training
  • Awareness of current legislation affecting Mental Health Services
  • Understanding of the Mental Health Act
  • Experience of lone working

Other

Essential

  • Ability to take responsibility and demonstrate reliability
  • Demonstrate appropriate use of initiative
  • Able to demonstrate a strong professional identity
  • Awareness of level of professional competence
  • Self Motivated

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Closing Date: 19 July 2026

To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.