Senior Occupational Therapist: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

We are looking for an experienced and motivatedBand 6 Occupational Therapist to join the Autism Enhanced Support Team (AEST) at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

This is an exciting opportunity to work within amultidisciplinary team supporting autistic people with complex needs, including mental health difficulties, learning disabilities and behaviours of distress. You will provide specialist Occupational Therapy assessment, intervention and clinical guidance across inpatient, community and residential settings.

You will use your specialist OT skills to develop person-centred, evidence-based interventions that promote wellbeing, independence, meaningful activity and quality of life.

A key focus will be supporting individuals at risk of admission, during hospital admission and where discharge is delayed, contributing to admission avoidance, complex case management, transition and discharge planning.

The role offers an opportunity to develop specialist knowledge of autism, sensory processing, mental health and complex presentations, while contributing to autism-informed practice across the wider system.

We are seeking a compassionate, clinically confident and adaptable OT who can work autonomously while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary team and is committed to improving outcomes and experiences for autistic people across Birmingham and Solihull.

Main duties of the job

• Provide specialist, evidence-based Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention for autistic people with complex needs, including co-existing mental health and/or learning disabilities.
• Undertake OT assessments of sensory processing, functional ability, emotional regulation, activities of daily living and occupational needs, developing person-centred interventions to promote wellbeing, independence and meaningful activity.
• Contribute to risk assessment, safety planning, positive risk-taking and complex case management.

• Provide specialist advice, coaching and consultation to individuals, families, carers and professionals to promote autism-informed practice.

• Support admission avoidance, transition planning and hospital discharge, working collaboratively to reduce barriers and improve outcomes.

• Provide advice on environmental adaptations, assistive technology, equipment and reasonable adjustments across a variety of settings.

• Work collaboratively within the AEST, wider MDTs and partner organisations to ensure coordinated, integrated care.

• Provide clinical guidance, supervision and teaching to junior staff and students, contributing to workforce development.

• Contribute to service development, audit, research, quality improvement and evidence-based practice.

• Work flexibly across community, inpatient and residential settings, including travel between locations as required.

Person Specification

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Qualified Occupational Therapist with current HCPC registration and evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Relevant clinical experience and autonomous caseload management
• Relevant knowledge and understanding of Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention
• Ability to Risk assess and manage complex cases.
• Experience of working within multi-disciplinary and/or multi-agency teams.
• Understanding autism/neurodiversity and the ability to transfer clinical skills to this area.

Desirable

• Specialist autism/neurodevelopmental service experience.
• Sensory assessment/intervention experience
• Experience supporting students/junior staff
• Service development/student or quality improvement experience
• Relevant post-graduate autism/neurodevelopmental training

Closing Date: 29 October 2026