Occupational Therapy Assistant
At a glance
- Band
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Part-time, Flexible working
- Posted
- 25/08/2026
- Closes
- 08/09/2026
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.
“At the time of advertising, this role does not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. For this reason, we are unable to sponsor anyone for a skilled worker visa for this role.”Quoted verbatim from the source advert
Role summary
This role is for an Occupational Therapy Assistant within the Core Team West in Wakefield, supporting service users aged 18-65 with moderate to severe mental health issues. The successful candidate will manage a caseload, deliver evidence-based interventions, and participate in team meetings. They will work autonomously within the team, providing updates and escalating concerns to senior members. The team is described as friendly, open, and supportive.
Essential criteria
- GCSE A-D or grade 3-9 in English and Maths or equivalent
- Level 2 qualification/or working through, with the ability to demonstrate competencies at level 3
- Care Certificate or required to achieve within 12 weeks of commencement
Desirable criteria
- Apprenticeship level 3 or equivalent eg, RQF(regulated Qualification Framework)NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent
- Experience of the speciality area
- Willingness to undertake further study
- Physical Attributes
- A satisfactory sickness record over previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy)
- Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary)
- In providing personal care and related procedures for those with health/social needs
- In working in a caring environment at a band 2 or equivalent level of competence
- In dealing with the public.
- In working as an effective team member.
- Of demonstrating own duties
- Ability to work effectively, professionally and under own initiative or as part of a multidisciplinary team
- In demonstrating initiative, decision-making and prioritisation skills.
- Evidence of a commitment to
- user/carer involvement
- Personal Attributes
- Responsive attitude and approach
- Dress appropriately for the environment
- A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability)
- Training
- Must be willing/able to undertake all appropriate Trust mandatory training requirements, and subsequent refresher training relevant to the area.
- Must be willing/able to undergo job development and training.
- Demonstrate excellent knowledge of service user safety, eg, Prevention & management of violence & aggression, moving and handling, etc
- Special Knowledge/Skills
- As appropriate to the role:
- Demonstrates excellent customer care skills
- Enthusiastic, able to work flexibly on a 24hr shift pattern to meet the needs of service users
- Demonstrates safe decision-making skills commensurate with role.
- Excellent communicator
- Good IT/keyboard skills.
- Diversity/Cultural understanding
- Knows responsibilities regarding confidentiality and trust.
- Resilience to pressure and exposure to emotional, distressing or hazardous situations eg, verbal aggression, body fluids, etc.
- Non-judgemental, empathetic manner
- Demonstrates Trust Values
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Good administration and organisational skills
- Able to use observation skills to identify potential services user, environmental risks etc. and act appropriately
- Able to fulfil the requirements of the value-based induction
- Language skills other than English
- Experience of supervising/inducting others
- GCSE A-D or grade 3-9 in English and Maths or equivalent
- Level 2 qualification/or working through, with the ability to demonstrate competencies at level 3
- Care Certificate or required to achieve within 12 weeks of commencement
- Apprenticeship level 3 or equivalent eg, RQF(regulated Qualification Framework)NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent
- Experience of the speciality area
- Willingness to undertake further study
- Physical Attributes
- A satisfactory sickness record over previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy)
- Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary)
- In providing personal care and related procedures for those with health/social needs
- In working in a caring environment at a band 2 or equivalent level of competence
- In dealing with the public.
- In working as an effective team member.
- Of demonstrating own duties
- Ability to work effectively, professionally and under own initiative or as part of a multidisciplinary team
- In demonstrating initiative, decision-making and prioritisation skills.
- Evidence of a commitment to
- user/carer involvement
- Personal Attributes
- Responsive attitude and approach
- Dress appropri
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 3 at £24,625 – £25,674 a year, across England.
This advert: £25,760 – £27,476 — 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
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
Occupational Therapy Assistant
The closing date is 08 September 2026
Job summary
Hello!
Firstly, thank you for taking the time to look at this job. My name is Beth and
Im the team manager for the Core Team West in Wakefield. We have a rare
opportunity, due to retirement, for an occupational therapy assistant to join
our service and work alongside our occupational therapists and wider
multidisciplinary team. As a team we are friendly, open and supportive of one
another.
We
are looking for a motivated and friendly individual who puts service users
first and in the centre of their care. We are looking for someone who is open,
honest, and transparent and someone who is ready for today, relevant for
tomorrow. If this is, you then you will be a perfect fit!
We
work with services users aged 18-65 who have moderate to severe mental health
issues. Our base is a community team hub which helps to provide flexibility,
openness and ease for support and advice. The base is within a central location
with amenities, transport links and parking easily accessible. Here's what some
of the team says about the team:
Its good
working with different disciplines and having learning opportunities from other
professions.
As a
service, we can implement change.
The team
are friendly and welcoming. I also feel valued.
**All employees of the Trust are
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