Specialist Occupational Therapist
At a glance
- Band
- Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Part-time, Flexible working
- Hours / week
- 25.75
- Posted
- 24/07/2026
- Closes
- 20/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This contract type is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
NHS Trusts cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for part-time, bank, locum, zero-hours, job-share or short fixed-term (under 12 months) contracts under current Home Office rules. This applies even when the wider Trust holds a Skilled Worker licence.
Role summary
This is an exciting part-time opportunity for a Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist to join the Occupational Therapy team at The Brook, a regional learning disability and autism unit in Dawlish. The role involves delivering evidence-based, neuro-affirming, and trauma-informed Occupational Therapy interventions to adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults with complex needs. You will lead on complex occupational assessments and interventions, contribute to service development, and support non-qualified staff and students. The position focuses on promoting engagement in meaningful occupation, wellbeing, autonomy, and quality of life.
Essential criteria
- Substantial post qualification experience. Experience of working with people with communication difficulties. Experience in managing a diverse workload including those with distressed behaviour and severe and complex disabilities. Previous experience of working in a multi-disciplinary community team including those within the wider support network of service users. Student supervision.
Desirable criteria
- Administration of standardised assessments.
- Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy. Valid professional HCPC registration. Evidence of on-going training and development in the theory and practice of Occupational Therapy.
- Further postgraduate training; short specialist courses. AMPS post graduate qualification. Post graduate training in the theory and application of Sensory Integration. Clinical supervisors qualification for student placements.
- Knowledge and Skills
- Clear understanding of the role of the OT within a multidisciplinary inpatient team. Sound knowledge and application of OT theory specific to adults with learning disabilities and Autistic Adults, in particular those with complex distressed behaviour, profound physical disability and complex needs, dual diagnosis. Understanding of government law and policy with regard to services for people with learning disabilities and Autism including guidance regarding people with complex distressed behaviour (Mental Health Act; DOLS; Safeguarding etc.). Highly developed risk assessment knowledge / skills. Contribute to developing & delivering training for staff groups & carers in understanding complex distressed behaviour and mental health issues. Ability to work autonomously seeking guidance as necessary. Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance. Ability to build effective working relationships in stressful and demanding situations. Experience of working with people with communication difficulties and in the use of total Communication. Ability to educate and inform other professionals about the role of Occupational Therapy in Learning Disabilities and Autism. Ability to reflect and critically appraise own and others performance. Problem solving skills. Ability to understand causes of distressed behaviour and adapt responses appropriately. Workload management and ability to work autonomously and set own priorities.
- Substantial post qualification experience. Experience of working with people with communication difficulties. Experience in managing a diverse workload including those with distressed behaviour and severe and complex disabilities. Previous experience of working in a multi-disciplinary community team including those within the wider support network of service users. Student supervision.
- Administration of standardised assessments.
- Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy. Valid professional HCPC registration. Evidence of on-going training and development in the theory and practice of Occupational Therapy.
- Further postgraduate training; short specialist courses. AMPS post graduate qualification. Post graduate training in the theory and application of Sensory Integration. Clinical supervisors qualification for student placements.
- Knowledge and Skills
- Clear understanding of the role of the OT within a multidisciplinary inpatient team. Sound knowledge and application of OT theory specific to adults with learning disabilities and Autistic Adults, in particular those with complex distressed behaviour, profound physical disability and complex needs, dual diagnosis. Understanding of government law and policy with regard to services for people with learning disabilities and Autism including guidance regarding people with complex distressed behaviour (Mental Health Act; DOLS; Safeguarding etc.). Highly developed risk assessment knowledge / skills. Contribute to developing & delivering training for staff groups & carers in understanding complex distressed behaviour and mental health issues. Ability to work autonomously seeking guidance as necessary. Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance. Ability to build effective working relationships in stressful and demanding situations. Experience of working with people with communication difficulties and in the use of total Communication. Ability to educate and inform other professionals about the role of Occupational Therapy in Learning Disabilities and Autism. Ability to reflect and
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 45d ago · Closes in 14d
Applications close soon — apply now if this is a fit.
Full advert · preview
Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Specialist Occupational Therapist
The closing date is 20 September 2026
Job summary
We have an exciting 25.75 hour per week opportunity for a Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist to join the Occupational Therapy team at The Brook, the Regional Learning Disability and Autism Unit in Dawlish. The Brook is a specialist inpatient service supporting adults with a learning disability and autistic adults who present with complex needs and distressed behaviour, within a modern, purpose-built therapeutic environment.
Occupational Therapy is central to the service model, with therapists taking a lead role within core multi-disciplinary teams and contributing specialist occupational perspectives to complex assessment, formulation and intervention planning. The role focuses on delivering evidence-based, neuro-affirming and trauma-informed Occupational Therapy interventions that promote engagement in meaningful occupation, wellbeing, autonomy and quality of life, while supporting the reduction of restrictive practices.
Band 6 Occupational Therapists also contribute to service development, including audit and quality improvement activity and the delivery of training to strengthen occupationally informed practice across the service.
Main duties of the job
As a Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist, you will work as a core member of the mul
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