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Sponsorship-friendly
Band 6
Full-time
Closes in 1d

Band 5/6 Occupational Therapist

Somerset NHS Foundation TrustRydon Ward, Cheddon Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 7AZ, United Kingdom£39,959 - £48,117Closes 30/08/2026

At a glance

Band
Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Pattern
Full-time
Posted
17/08/2026
Closes
30/08/2026

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 a motivated Occupational Therapist to join the team on Rydon Ward, a 15-bedded acute mental health ward for working-age adults. You will use your expertise to support patients on their recovery journey, helping them develop skills, confidence, and independence. The position is offered at Band 6, but applications from Occupational Therapists seeking a developmental Band 5-6 pathway are also welcome. You will be part of a supportive multidisciplinary team, making a genuine difference every day.

Key responsibilities

  • Deliver high-quality, recovery-focused occupational therapy assessments and interventions for adults experiencing acute mental health difficulties.
  • Develop personalised treatment plans that help patients build independence, confidence and meaningful life skills.
  • Facilitate a range of individual and group-based therapeutic activities and interventions.
  • Work closely with nurses, doctors, psychologists, social workers and other professionals to ensure coordinated, holistic care.
  • Support patients, families and carers, promoting involvement in care and recovery planning wherever appropriate.
  • Contribute to service improvement, quality initiatives and the ongoing development of occupational therapy practice within the ward.

Essential criteria

  • Registered to Practice by the HCPC
  • Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy
  • Membership with the RCOT
  • Proven application of the OT process
  • Previous experience in the mental health field
  • Experience of running therapeutic activities and group process
  • A basic knowledge of mental health legislation and current practice, including CPA, risk assessment and management
  • Knowledge of current best practice in OT relevant to mental health, including MOHO based assessments
  • Have access to a vehicle with appropriate business insurance and willingness to use for transportation of patients on occasions

Desirable criteria

  • Membership with a specialist group
  • Post graduate training in area relevant to post
  • Experience in specific assessment procedures e.g. AMPS, MOHO, Recovery Star
  • Experience of delivering psycho-social interventions
  • Experience of allocating and supervising the work of colleagues
  • At least 2 years post qualification experience

Useful to know

Band 6 pay context

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.

Application window

Posted 13d ago · Closes in 1d

Applications close soon — apply now if this is a fit.

Full advert · preview

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Band 5/6 Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 30 August 2026

Job summary

Are you passionate about helping people rebuild their lives and regain independence following a mental health crisis? If so, we'd love to hear from you.

We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated and compassionate Occupational Therapist to join our team on Rydon Ward, a 15-bedded acute mental health ward for working-age adults. In this rewarding role, you will use your occupational therapy expertise to support patients on their recovery journey, helping them develop the skills, confidence and independence needed to achieve meaningful outcomes.

This position is offered at Band 6, but we also welcome applications from Occupational Therapists seeking a developmental Band 5-6 pathway. With structured supervision, professional support and opportunities for career progression, this is an excellent role whether you're an experienced mental health OT or a newly qualified practitioner eager to develop your skills within an inpatient setting.

You'll become part of a supportive multidisciplinary team that values collaboration, innovation and person-centred care, giving you the opportunity to make a genuine difference every day.

Main duties of the job

As an Occupational Therapist on Rydon Ward, you will:

  • Deliver high-quality, recovery-focused occupatio

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