Job Summary
To participate as a member of the ward team, working closely with the nursing team but with an occupational lens. Support will be offered from senior OTs within the Southwark OT leadership team. The role will involve the provision of a programme of therapeutic and recreational activities (both group and 1:1) to support the rehabilitation and recovery of service users experiencing mental illness. The programme will be developed and implemented with the supervision of the ward manager and supervision from a senior occupational therapist and should be in liaison with service users and the ward team.
Main duties of the job
To provide a flexible programme of recreational, vocational and educational activities within the service in collaboration with the Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT), volunteers and sessional workers.
To provide support and engage service users in therapeutic activities to promote recovery, independence and well-being
To support the development of a balanced therapeutic ward based programme for service users at different stages of recovery
To contribute to the collaborative care planning process, monitoring service users progress, taking account service users goals and aspirations and adjusting interventions accordingly
To work independently, facilitating group or individual work, planned with a registered OT.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good level of Education
- Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
Desirable
- Health and social care related qualification above basic level e.g. City & Guilds final certificate, NVQ 3 or 4, Diploma or Degree
- Creative qualification eg arts, photography,
- Psychology qualification
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of working in health/social care setting
- Experience of report/letter writing and form filling
- Experience of working both independently and in a team
- Experience of providing group and 1:1 interventions
- Experience of working with and/or understanding of Occupational Therapy
Desirable
- Experience of facilitating therapeutic groups in a health and social care setting
- Experience of mental health difficulties or of caring for someone with a mental health difficulty
Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to work independently in ward and community settings
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health problems
- Excellent IT skills (able to use all Microsoft Office tools competently for example)
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- An understanding of the needs of service users from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds
Desirable
- Knowledge of applying Health and Safety and risk awareness procedures and policies
Other
Essential
- Willingness to be involved in the delivery of practice placements for students
- Willingness to participate in supervision
- Ability to work independently of direct supervision
- Demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning
- Able to work flexibly including some evening and weekend work
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.
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).
Closing Date: 20 May 2025
