Senior Mental Health Occupational Therapist
At a glance
- Band
- Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time, Flexible working
- Posted
- 17/08/2026
- Closes
- 31/08/2026
Sponsorship verdict
Candidates needing sponsorship are encouraged to apply.
HiveMind found a sponsorship-friendly statement in the source advert welcoming applicants who require a visa. Always confirm on the source before applying.
“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.”Quoted verbatim from the source advert
Role summary
This role is for an experienced Senior Occupational Therapist to join the Central Youth Service, supporting children and young people with complex mental health needs. The postholder will deliver high-quality, evidence-based occupational therapy, embedding recovery-focused principles within multidisciplinary practice. You will undertake specialist assessments, develop formulations, and deliver tailored interventions to promote participation, independence, and wellbeing. The role involves working collaboratively with young people, families, carers, and partner agencies.
Key responsibilities
- Lead on the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based occupational therapy.
- Contribute to multidisciplinary assessment, risk management, and care planning.
- Utilise standardised and non-standardised assessments and outcome measures.
- Lead on service development initiatives and quality improvement projects.
- Provide clinical supervision and support the development of junior staff.
- Work autonomously while contributing to the strategic development of the Central Youth Service.
Essential criteria
- 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
- Familiarity of audit procedures.
- Group work skills
- Ability to work under pressure managing own caseload and effective prioritisation
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- 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
- BSc/MSc or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
- Practice Educator (AHP) Registered with the HCPC
- Ability to travel independently
- Willingness to work flexibly
- Commitment to professional development and lifelong learning.
Desirable criteria
- 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.
- Data inputting
- Experience in running therapeutic groups
- Experience of assessing and prescribing equipment.
- Experience working in a range of mental health settings.
- Supervising students/staff.
- Previous line management experience.
- Familiarity of audit procedures.
- Practice Educator qualification
- Relevant post graduate training courses
- Clinical supervisor course
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 6 at £37,338 – £44,962 a year, across England.
This advert: £39,959 – £48,117 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 13d ago · Closes in 2d
Applications close soon — apply now if this is a fit.
Full advert · preview
Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
Senior Mental Health Occupational Therapist
The closing date is 31 August 2026
Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Senior Occupational Therapist to join our Central Youth Service, supporting children and young people with complex mental health needs.
The ideal candidate will have a strong desire to support young people to reach their goals and be able to demonstrate the following qualities required for the role, these are, experience, passion, resilience, empathy, great communication skills and an ability to be flexible and manage risk.
The postholder will lead on the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based occupational therapy, embedding occupational therapy principles and the recovery-focused model within multidisciplinary practice. Working collaboratively with young people, families, carers and partner agencies, you will undertake specialist occupational assessments, develop occupation-based formulations, and deliver tailored interventions that promote participation, independence, emotional wellbeing and positive life outcomes.
Main duties of the job
As a senior member of the team, you will contribute to multidisciplinary assessment, risk management and care planning, providing expert occupational therapy advice for complex cases. You will utilise standardised and non-standardised assessments,
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