Senior Occupational Therapist
At a glance
- Band
- Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Part-time, Flexible working
- Posted
- 21/09/2026
- Closes
- 12/10/2026
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 enthusiastic Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join a 16-bed Higher Dependency Rehabilitation Unit (HDRU) in Doncaster. The unit provides specialist mental health rehabilitation for adults with complex needs, aiming to develop skills for community living. The Occupational Therapist will deliver recovery-focused, person-centred interventions, including group-based activities and individual interventions, managing a complex clinical caseload. The post offers opportunities for professional development and service improvement.
Key responsibilities
- Undertake comprehensive Occupational Therapy Assessments using the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) and other evidence-based assessment tools.
- Develop, implement and evaluate person-centred 1:1 and group intervention plans that promote recovery, independence and meaningful occupational engagement.
- Assess and manage clinical risk within OT interventions, community activities and rehabilitation opportunities.
- To work in line with service priorities and objectives and promote person-centred approaches and a culture of recovery, enablement and well-being.
- To assist in the supervision of Band 5 OT, OTA and students and contribute to the development of a range of inpatient based therapeutic activities.
- To develop links with statutory and voluntary sector community resources and ensure that on-going occupational needs are addressed as part of a safe effective discharge and the occupational therapy pathway process.
Essential criteria
- Occupation Therapy Degree/Diploma
- HCPC registration
- Practice Placement Educator Qualification
- Willingness to undertake post-graduate study relevant to service area
- Post registration experience in mental health services.
- Supervisory responsibility for staff.
- Documented evidence of continuing professional development
- Experience of a range of mental health settings and varied aspects of practice
- Experience of delivering individual and group-based interventions
- Specialist knowledge of current best practice in OT and application of OT process within Higher Dependency Rehabilitation Unit.
- Knowledge of Occupational Formulation and the impact of mental health on occupational performance and participation.
- Understanding of trauma-informed care and person-centred approaches
- Knowledge of risk assessment and positive risk management
- Understanding of safeguarding, clinical governance and professional standards
- Extensive demonstrable clinical experience including individual and group work.
- Good communication skills (written & verbal)
- Information technology skills
- Ability to build effective multidisciplinary/agency working relationships.
- Effective time and workload management.
- Able to contribute confidently to MDT decision making from an OT perspective.
- Multi-disciplinary/ multiagency working.
- Problem solving abilities.
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
- Presentation, Training and Facilitation skills.
- Able to provide clinical supervision and support to junior staff
Desirable criteria
- Experience working in Rehab
- Experience of research and audit
- Relevant mental health legislation, and Mental Health Inpatient Rehabilitation Services Frameworks within a Higher Dependency Rehabilitation Unit
- Knowledge of Complex Mental Health Conditions/Diagnosis within an HDRU
- Planning and co-ordination of treatment packages.
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 21d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHSFT
Senior Occupational Therapist
The closing date is 12 October 2026
Job summary
We are excited to recruit an enthusiastic Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join our 16-bed Higher Dependency Rehabilitation Unit (HDRU) in Doncaster, providing specialist mental health rehabilitation for adults from Rotherham, Doncaster and North Lincolnshire.
The HDRU supports adults with complex mental health needs who require intensive rehabilitation within a structured, therapeutic environment. Patients typically remain on the unit for up to 12 months, working with the multidisciplinary team to develop the skills and confidence needed to progress to less restrictive settings and successful community living.
Occupational Therapy plays a central role in the rehabilitation pathway, delivering recovery-focused, person-centred interventions through meaningful occupation. Group based interventions are a key part of the role and you will be expected to plan and deliver a varied programme of occupation-focused groups alongside individual interventions. You will independently manage a complex clinical caseload using clinical reasoning to assess, plan, deliver and evaluate interventions that support recovery, independence and community living.
This post offers excellent opportunities for supervision, professional development and service improvement wit
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