AHP Team Lead
At a glance
- Band
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Part-time, Flexible working
- Posted
- 18/08/2026
- Closes
- 15/09/2026
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 role is for an experienced Occupational Therapist to join the AHP Leadership Team within Adult and Older Persons' Mental Health Services. The AHP Team Lead will provide leadership, support, and professional development to Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, AHP Support Staff, and Peer Support Workers. It combines operational and professional leadership with a specialist clinical caseload, allowing for maintenance of clinical expertise while supporting workforce development and service improvement. The post involves shaping practice, driving service improvement, and championing the role of AHPs in mental health services.
Essential criteria
- *Degree-level qualification in the relevant Allied Health Profession - Occupational Therapy.
- *Current HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist.
- *Evidence of leadership or management qualification, training and/or equivalent experience.
- At present, the Trust is unable to offer Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of study at Masters' level or working towards this qualification relevant to area of practice.
- *Significant post-registration experience within mental health services.
- *Experience of working in complex clinical environments and making decisions in challenging, unpredictable situations.
- *Proven clinical leadership and presentation skills.
- *Knowledge of the Clinical Governance Framework and implementation for service delivery.
- *Knowledge of professional standards, codes of conduct and current mental health policy.
- *Knowledge of supervision, reflective practice and staff development.
- *Knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Mental Health Act.
- *Knowledge of national agendas relevant to mental health and AHP practice.
- *Experience of working autonomously, managing competing priorities and supporting teams effectively.
- *Competence in using clinical systems, digital tools and management information systems.
- *Experience supporting student practice placement education.
- *Experience delivering teaching, training or professional development programmes.
- *Knowledge of local health and care strategies.
- *Degree-level qualification in the relevant Allied Health Profession - Occupational Therapy.
- *Current HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist.
- *Evidence of leadership or management qualification, training and/or equivalent experience.
- At present, the Trust is unable to offer Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.
- Evidence of study at Masters' level or working towards this qualification relevant to area of practice.
- *Significant post-registration experience within mental health services.
- *Experience of working in complex clinical environments and making decisions in challenging, unpredictable situations.
- *Proven clinical leadership and presentation skills.
- *Knowledge of the Clinical Governance Framework and implementation for service delivery.
- *Knowledge of professional standards, codes of conduct and current mental health policy.
- *Knowledge of supervision, reflective practice and staff development.
- *Knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Mental Health Act.
- *Knowledge of national agendas relevant to mental health and AHP practice.
- *Experience of working autonomously, managing competing priorities and supporting teams effectively.
- *Competence in using clinical systems, digital tools and management information systems.
- *Experience supporting student practice placement education.
- *Experience delivering teaching, training or professional development programmes.
- *Knowledge of local health and care strategies.
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 7 at £46,148 – £52,809 a year, across England.
This advert: £47,810 – £54,710 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 20d ago · Closes in 9d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
AHP Team Lead
The closing date is 15 September 2026
Job summary
Are you an experienced Occupational Therapist ready to take the next step in your leadership career?
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Occupational Therapist to join our Allied Health Professional (AHP) Leadership Team within Adult and Older Persons' Mental Health Services across Portsmouth and South East Hampshire.
As one of our AHP Team Leads, you will provide leadership, support and professional development to Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, AHP Support Staff, and Peer Support Workers within our Occupational Therapy-led Personality, Trauma and Response Team. The role combines operational and professional leadership with a specialist clinical caseload, enabling you to maintain and develop your clinical expertise while supporting workforce development and service improvement.
We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and collaborative culture, underpinned by visible and compassionate leadership. In return, we offer regular clinical and managerial supervision, ongoing professional development opportunities, and support to pursue specialist clinical interests.
In recognition of our commitment to workforce development, innovation and high-quality patient care, our AHP services received the Chief Allied Health Professions
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