AHP Assistant Practitioner

Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health partnership organization in Sheffield is seeking an AHP Assistant Practitioner to join its dynamic team. The role involves supporting occupational therapists in delivering high-quality care and rehabilitation services. Candidates should have relevant qualifications in health and social care, with significant experience in similar settings. Responsibilities include conducting assessments and leading activity programmes for service users, ensuring individual care plans are followed. This position offers comprehensive training opportunities within a supportive environment.

Benefits

Employee Expenses Reimbursement Policy for DBS costs

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Significant experience working as an AHPT assistant or Senior Support Worker within the NHS.
• Experience of delivering individual and group activities and education sessions.
• Experience of working with patients with mental health conditions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial assessments of new referrals on your caseload.
• Lead small group activities and exercise programmes for service users.
• Monitor progress in care plans and report back to registered AHP.

Skills

Effective communication skills

Understanding of health inequalities

Ability to work independently

Education

3 A Levels or NVQ L3 in Health and Social Care

5 GCSEs including Maths and English

Job description

AHP Assistant Practitioner

The closing date is 23 December 2025

The successful applicant will join a well established, skilled team of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), including occupational therapists within the intensive inpatient rehabilitation service at the Michael Carlisle Centre & Longley Centre Sheffield. The AHP team works alongside other supportive & friendly professionals including nursing, psychology, medical staff to deliver high quality service to service users.

You will work under the supervision of occupational therapists to assess & deliver (care planned) individual & group interventions to develop service users skills in the activities of daily living & support engagement in meaningful activities and occupational roles. You will also hold administration duties for the AHP team in the preparation of resources linked to AHP interventions and service delivery.

Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust is currently unable to provide sponsorship for this role. This is in accordance with UKVI guidelines and legislation, as these roles do not meet the skill nor salary threshold for sponsorship. If you hold a visa which allows you to work in the UK, you are welcome to apply for this role however it is important to note that SHSC will be unable to offer sponsorship after your visa expires. You must also have at least 12 months on your visa at the start of your employment for training & operational reasons.

Please be advised this post has a cap and once reached will close automatically.

Main duties of the job

To work with the AHP Teams at Michael Carlisle Centre and Longley Centre supporting them in the delivery of assessment and treatment of service users.

• Initial assessment of new referrals that have been triaged onto their caseload in line with assessment protocols.
• Complex service users to be discussed with Registered AHP to establish management plan.
• Participate in the day to day running of the therapy programme and provision, maintaining administrative processes, and monitoring resources and equipment.
• Independently lead small groups, exercise and education programmes and participating in meaningful activities with service users within the unit.
• To monitor service user involvement and progress in AHP care plans and interventions and report to the identified AHP.
• To be responsible for identifying areas for self-development, participating in learning opportunities and demonstrating self-development.
• Understands role boundaries and importance of supervision.
• Demonstrates the ability to respond flexibly to the requirements of the role.
• Takes responsibility and demonstrates management and leadership of own work.

About us

At SHSC, we prioritise the well-being and safety of both our service users and employees. It is our policy and a condition of employment that all employees must join the DBS Update Service. This service carries an annual fee, which employees are responsible for paying up front. However, employees may claim this cost back through the Trust's Employee Expenses Reimbursement Policy. For those requiring a Basic DBS check, it is necessary to register for a DBS Online Account.

Job responsibilities

• Initial assessment of new referrals that have been triaged onto their caseload in line with assessment protocols.
• Complex service users to be discussed with Registered AHP to establish management plan.
• Participate in the day to day running of the therapy programme and provision, maintaining administrative processes, and monitoring resources and equipment.
• Independently leading small groups, exercise and education programmes and participating in meaningful activities with service users within the unit.
• Complete competency framework to be able to practice autonomously within scope and range of the role.
• Maintain a professional portfolio which identifies role and skill developments in line with the AHP Support Worker Competency, Education and Career Development Framework.
• Contribute to the assessment, implementation, and delivery of individualized evidence-based care for a defined caseload, with support from an identified registered AHP for complex patients.
• Promote and uphold privacy, dignity and respect, rights, and well-being of service users and their carers at all times with particular emphasis on facilitation of a holistic quality of life for the service user which appreciates the wider context outside of the care setting and promotes an environment where this can be facilitated.
• Work in collaboration with your colleagues as part of a team to ensure delivery of high-quality, individualized, safe care to service users and their families following Health and Safety regulations.
• Use developed knowledge of clinical risk assessment, and the importance of evidence-based practice.
• Advocate for service users, families and carers referring service users to appropriate agencies and services in a timely manner.
• Gather and interpret relevant information working under protocols, forming judgement on improvements or deterioration in the service user’s condition and respond by referring or escalating concerns to a registered practitioner or other relevant member of Senior clinical staff.
• Acknowledge any limitations in competence and acts on feedback.
• Assist in the promotion and maintenance of individual service user activities of daily living.
• Undertake clinical observations and complete relevant documentation.
• Contribute and participate within the Clinical Governance framework by attending Multidisciplinary team and unit meetings. Where required, act as link e.g., Health & Safety, Infection Control, and involvement with audit.
• Report all accidents, incidents / untoward incidents as per policy.
• Contribute to the maintenance of effective communication with service users and carers, maintaining confidentiality in line with information governance.
• The post holder is required to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
• Attend all mandatory and statutory training and undertake relevant training specific to the service area.

Qualifications

• 3 A Levels or NVQ L3 in Health and Social Care
• 5 GCSEs including Maths and English (4-9 or A-C) or equivalent e.g. Functional Skills Level 2
• Competency based development and other role specific local training

Experience

• Significant experience working as an AHPT assistant / Senior Support Worker (Band 3) or above within the NHS and/or care setting
• Experience of delivering individual / group activities and education sessions
• Experience of working with patients with a mental health condition

Knowledge

• Understands the importance of adhering to organisational policies, protocols, procedures, and professional standards
• Demonstrate ability to assess patients and progress patient treatment plans independently
• Understands the social, cultural, and economic influences, individual circumstances, behaviours, and lifestyle choices that impact on health outcomes for service users and their families, including health inequalities.

Other

• Effective communication skills including the ability to present information, written and orally, in a clear, accessible and accurate manner
• Able to work independently within the scope of the role and within the team
• Ability to work independently with support
• Participation and undertaking of research, audit, evaluation and service improvement

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Michael Carlisle Centre and Longley Centre