Senior Occupational Therapist
At a glance
- Band
- Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time, Flexible working
- Posted
- 16/09/2026
- Closes
- 27/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This advert explicitly states that sponsorship is not offered.
The source advert contains explicit wording ruling out sponsorship for this specific role. Consider other live roles at the same band from sponsorship-friendly trusts.
Role summary
This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated Senior Occupational Therapist to join the award-winning Allied Health Professional (AHP) Service, supporting Adult Mental Health Services across Portsmouth. The role involves delivering specialist occupational therapy interventions to adults experiencing significant mental health difficulties, working across community mental health services and the Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team (CRHT). You will promote recovery, independence, and meaningful participation in daily life through evidence-based assessment and intervention. The service is known for its innovative approach to enabling people to engage in meaningful occupations and improve wellbeing.
Essential criteria
- Degree level or higher in Occupational Therapy.
- Health and Care Professions Council registration.
- Post graduate experience working in complex and high-risk mental health settings -- managing challenging behaviors.
- Experience of applying the Occupational Therapy process in mental health.
- Experience of using standardized and functional assessments and activity analysis in a mental health setting.
- Experience of supporting and supervising junior staff.
- Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Additional Criteria
- To understand and apply of a range of Occupational Therapy functional non-standardised and standardised assessments, goal setting methods, individual and group interventions, and evaluation methods to support best practice.
- Able to manage a complex caseload of clients throughout the service.
- Able to review and develop the occupational therapy service, using specialist training and knowledge to inform relevant changes to service delivery.
- Able to communicate effectively with stakeholders, colleagues, patients, and their families, both verbally and in writing.
- Able to deliver information / interventions where the situation can be emotive, challenging, or hostile -- managing this with sensitivity and tact
- Specialist skills in mental health related risk assessment.
- Able to take personal responsibility, work autonomously and manage time effectively.
- Able to promote the contribution of occupational therapy to a range of audiences.
- Able to motivate others, work independently and as part of a team.
- Able to critique research and practice and apply to area of work.
- Able to use computer efficiently; including email, internet, Microsoft office including word/excel and video consultation software and ability to learn service specific systems.
- Specialist, up to date knowledge of Occupational Therapy practice.
- Knowledge of current issues in OT practice and mental health service provision e.g. Government policy, drivers, and current best practice.
- Knowledge and experience in use of research and audit methods.
- Knowledge of OT Professional Standards and Codes of Conduct.
- Knowledge of health and safety and risk assessment in mental health.
- Knowledge and experience of Mental Health, Mental Capacity Act and Safeguarding.
- An understanding of the principles of equal opportunities as it relates to staff and patients and able to demonstrate personal commitment to challenging discrimination and promoting equalities An understanding of equality within the workforce and how it can impact on this post.
- Degree level or higher in Occupational Therapy.
- Health and Care Professions Council registration.
- Post graduate experience working in complex and high-risk mental health settings -- managing challenging behaviors.
- Experience of applying the Occupational Therapy process in mental health.
- Experience of using standardized and functional assessments and activity analysis in a mental health setting.
- Experience of supporting and supervising junior staff.
- Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Additional Criteria
- To understand and apply of a range of Occupational Therapy functional non-standardised and standardised assessments, goal setting methods, individual and group interventions, and evaluation methods to support best practice.
- Able to manage a complex caseload of clients throughout the service.
- Able to review and develop the occupational therapy service, using specialist training and knowledge to inform relevant changes to service delivery.
- Able to communicate effectively with stakeholders, colleagues, patients, and their families, both verbally and in writing.
- Able to deliver information / interventions where the situation can be emotive, challenging, or hostile -- managing this with sensitivity and tact
- Specialist skills in mental health related risk assessment.
- Able to take personal responsibility, work autonomously and manage time e
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 1d ago · Closes in 11d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Senior Occupational Therapist
The closing date is 27 September 2026
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated, innovative, and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to join our award-winning Allied Health Professional (AHP) Service as a Senior Occupational Therapist, supporting Adult Mental Health Services across Portsmouth.
This role offers a unique opportunity to work across community mental health services and the Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team (CRHT), delivering specialist occupational therapy interventions to adults experiencing significant mental health difficulties. You will play a key role in promoting recovery, independence, and meaningful participation in daily life through evidence-based occupational therapy assessment and intervention.
As part of a friendly, supportive, and highly regarded Occupational Therapy-led service, you will work alongside experienced Occupational Therapists and multidisciplinary colleagues who are passionate about delivering person-centred, recovery-focused care.
The Occupational Therapy service forms part of our award-winning AHP Service, providing specialist mental health occupational therapy across Portsmouth. The team delivers a range of interventions, including individual therapeutic work, group programmes, and the evidence-based and a
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