Occupational Therapist – Early Intervention in Psychosis Service

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Job summary

The Early Intervention in Psychosis Service (EIPS) based in Horsham are looking to recruit a full-timeOccupational Therapist or Social Workerto join the team in aband 5 to band 6 development role,to complement our existing multidisciplinary team.

This post is ideal for a newly qualified professional or a professional already working at a band 5 level looking to progress in their career to a band 6 lead practitioner within EIPS. We will offer you a bespoke programme, and a supportive and creative approach to guide you from a band 5 to band 6 lead practitioner.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a small, progressive EIP team, supporting clients with First Episode Psychosis and At-Risk Mental State to have a positive, hopeful and meaningful experience of mental health services.

If you would like to make a real difference to the lives of those living with Psychosis and their recovery using your professional training and skills, please apply.

Main duties of the job

The service has a strong ethos of hope and is dedicated to and passionate about supporting people aged 14 – 65 who are experiencing a First Episode of Psychosis (FEP) or people aged 14 – 35 with an At-Risk Mental State (ARMS) to meet their mental health needs, achieve personal recovery and enable people to get back on track with their lives and achieve their goals.

The service adopts a whole team approach, and you will be working as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) to deliver evidence- based interventions.

The successful applicant will support a small caseload of clients in the community from point of referral to discharge, providing effective care co-ordination for up to 3 years. Through developing therapeutic relationships, the post holder will work collaboratively with clients and their families and wider MDT to create person centred care and treatment plans which aim to reduce distress, maintain independence, prevent relapse, promote recovery and social inclusion.

Previous experience of supporting clients with mental health and social care difficulties is beneficial. You will be supported to develop specialist knowledge and skills to support those presenting with First Episode of Psychosis. It is important the successful applicants have a keen interest in understanding the principles and ethos of early intervention and this client group. You can find out more information about our approach here: What is Early Intervention in Psychosis? (likemind.nhs.uk)

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered practitioner with relevant professional qualification / degree (or equivalent). Registered to practice with relevant professional body for Nursing (NMC) / Social Work (Social Work England) / Occupational Therapy (HCPC)

Knowledge/Experience

Essential

  • Experience of supporting people with mental health needs in a paid or voluntary capacity
  • Experience of conducting clinical assessments including risk assessments
  • Experience of partnership working within and across various statutory and non-statutory teams and agencies
  • Experience working as part of a team
  • Experience of being supervised
  • Experience of analysing and communicating complex information verbally and in writing

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: 14 August 2026

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