Occupational Therapy Assistant
At a glance
- Band
- Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time
- Posted
- 07/09/2026
- Closes
- 21/09/2026
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 enthusiastic Occupational Therapy Assistant to join the in-reach health service at Clare Lodge, the only all-female Secure Welfare unit in the country. The service provides care for young people with complex physical and mental health needs, including ASD, ADHD, and Learning Disabilities, resulting from disrupted attachments and trauma. The assistant will help plan and provide therapeutic activities, implement and evaluate interventions, and assist occupational therapists. The role involves early and late shift patterns and requires independent travel.
Key responsibilities
- Plan and provide programmes of therapeutic activities tailored to the patient group within the framework laid down by the Occupational Therapist.
- Implement and evaluate delegated occupational therapy interventions for patients in activities relating to their treatment programme.
- Assist occupational therapists with the delivery of care and demonstrate to support staff regarding occupational therapy interventions.
- Carry out administrative duties within the occupational therapy department including taking full responsibility for designated tasks.
- Enhance own clinical and organisational skills to meet the needs of service users and the organisation.
- Support with the delivery of the Occupational Therapy pathway, including assessment, analysis, care planning, interventions, and report-writing.
Essential criteria
- Relevant NVQ Level 3 in Care or appropriate AVCE in Health & Social Care, or willingness to undertake within agreed timescale and Numeracy, Literacy and ITQ level 2 (or equivalent)
- Experience of paid or voluntary work with people with mental health conditions or learning disabilities.
- Experience of working within a team.
- Ability to communicate information (verbal and written) effectively in a manner appropriate to the individual and situation.
- Ability to work autonomously.
- Record Keeping (within agreed timescale).
- Time management and ability to prioritise effectively.
- Breakaway techniques (within agreed timescale).
- Awareness of needs of service users with mental health conditions or learning disabilities.
- Knowledge of trauma informed practice and how it might impact on the delivery of occupational therapy interventions.
- Awareness of the needs of individuals from diverse social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
- Understanding of therapeutic terminology (within agreed timescale)
- Understanding of a variety of therapeutic approaches (within agreed timescale)
- Awareness of health & safety issues (within agreed timescale)
- Compassionate in meeting the needs of vulnerable people and their families and carers.
- Ability to work collaboratively with members of the MDT to provide an effective service.
- Committed to continual quality and service improvement
- Committed to promoting a positive image of people with mental health conditions or learning disabilities
- Committed to promoting a positive image of the Occupational Therapy Service.
- Ability to travel independently around Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area meeting required timescales. A Full driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential.
Desirable criteria
- Experience working alongside occupational therapists/in an Occupational Therapy department
- Confidence with group facilitation.
- Awareness of relevant legislation
- Knowledge of common occupational therapy interventions.
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 4 at £26,530 – £29,114 a year, across England.
This advert: £28,392 – £31,157 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 1d ago · Closes in 14d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Occupational Therapy Assistant
The closing date is 21 September 2026
Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Occupational Therapy assistant to join our team as part of an exciting and developing in reach health service .
Clare Lodge is the only all-female Secure Welfare unit in the country and as such the Health Team provides national coverage. To take away the liberty of a child for their own safety is a significant welfare issue so young people are only admitted because of high-risk behaviours that have persisted over time despite exhausting every other community resource available to engage and support them.
Due to the complexity resulting from disrupted attachments and multiple complex traumas, young people received into our secure care are known to have multiple unmet physical and mental health needs as well as significant difficulty forming relationships. Some of the complex needs may include ASD, ADHD and Learning Disabilities.
We recognise the specialist nature of this role and have a protected budget for specialist training and professional development, alongside high quality and regular supervision.
The in-reach health team provides a service between 09.00 and 21.30 and the role involves an early and late shift pattern.
Main duties of the job
To plan and provide programmes of
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