Senior Occupational Therapist: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

We are looking for a Senior Occupational Therapist to help develop the Daycare team in HMP Norwich. We are a small and friendly multi-professional team consisting of a Lead Therapist and a Psychotherapist who work alongside two Assistant Practitioners and a Senior Mental Health Nurse providing therapeutic input to prisoners at HMP Norwich.

We work with prisoners who self-harm, have suicidal thoughts, or may have attempted suicide. Many of these people experience high levels of anxiety and have a history of trauma or PTSD diagnosis. Many of the people accessing the service have an Assessment Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) document in place to support them. We offer therapeutic approaches in DBT and CBT as well as having an established trauma pathway, which includes emotional regulation work.

Main duties of the job

The team are looking for a Senior Occupational Therapist to support with the development of the Daycare pathways.

As a Senior Occupational Therapist, you will be expected to take on line management responsibilities for the assistants within the team, to lead on the running of therapeutic groups with a range of disciplines, to carry out joint assessments and to assist with writing formulations and discharge reports.

You will also be expected to work 1:1 with prisoners in delivering interventions. You will be invited to attend and contribute to ongoing referral meetings and to engage in regular clinical supervision to access support and continue developing your expertise.

We work closely with the NSFT Mental Health In Reach team, the IAPT/Wellbeing team and the wider and Secure and Forensic services. An important part of this role is to build links with the prison as well as ongoing support services. Some of this work will involve training the prison staff on therapeutic interventions as well as mental health conditions.

The Prison has an established educational service for prisoners, including access to vocational opportunities. However, Daycare staff need to also have an awareness of what community and/or third sector organisations are available to support either by in reaching into the Prison, and/or to support those coming towards the end of their sentences.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc/MSc or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
• Registered with HCPC

Desirable

• Practice Educator qualification.
• Relevant post graduate training courses
• Clinical supervisor course

Work Experience

Essential

• Post registration experience in mental health
• Experience of MDT working
• Experience of working with groups of people
• Ability to work both independently and under supervision

Desirable

• Experience working in a range of mental health settings
• Supervising students/staff.
• Previous line management experience.
• Familiarity of audit procedures.

Skills

Essential

• Able to demonstrate use of standardised Occupational Therapy assessments

Desirable

• Experience in sensory integration / modulation

Knowledge

Essential

• Supervisory/appraisal skills
• Working knowledge of Mental Health Act 1983 and any updates
• Specialist knowledge and application of Occupational Therapy Assessments and interventions relevant to this client group
• Understanding of the principles and application of the recovery model and social inclusion
• Good verbal and written communication skDemonstrate reflective practiceills

Desirable

• Knowledge of current legislation including risk assessment and CPA
• Up to date with latest evidence-based research for specialist area
• Knowledge of principles and application of Clinical Governance.

Other

Essential

• Willingness to work flexibly. Understanding of team dynamics.
• Commitment to professional development and lifelong learning.
• Fitness to undergo PMA training and perform full duties of post.
• Ability to undertake Manual Handling Training and utilise these skills in clinical practice.

Closing Date: 16 November 2026