AHP Assistant Practitioner - Dietetics & Occupational Therapy

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in the UK is seeking individuals to support children and young people experiencing eating disorders. The role involves practical and emotional support, facilitating recovery, and contributing to multidisciplinary care strategies. Candidates must have relevant qualifications in health and social care and experience working with young people. This opportunity offers career growth and a supportive environment.

Benefits

Ongoing training and support

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Educated to minimum GCSE level or equivalent grade A-C, including English.
• Experience of working with families and supporting children with Mental Health Needs.

Responsibilities

• Support young people with daily routines and structured therapeutic activities.
• Assist in delivery of therapeutic interventions and psychoeducational sessions.

Skills

Knowledge of dietetic and Occupational Therapy treatment and management

Understanding of Information Governance and Data Protection

Contribute to the discharge arrangements into the care of other services

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care

Higher apprenticeship level 5/Foundation Degree or equivalent

Tools

RIO system

Job description

Job Overview

The CYP Eating Disorders Intensive Support at Home (ED-ISH) is currently mobilising. This specialist provision delivers intensive, evidence-based care to children & young people experiencing moderate to severe eating disorders. The service model is designed to deliver intensive, flexible, and person-centred care for children & young people (CYP) with eating disorders, embedded within the existing Clinical Eating Disorders Service (CEDS) infrastructure.

Operating through a MDT working collaboratively to provide holistic, person-centred care, each professional brings their expertise to support physical health monitoring, nutritional rehabilitation, psychosocial interventions & occupational engagement, all tailored to the unique needs of each young person & their family.

• Intensive Home treatment - providing targeted support within the home environment
• In-reach support - In-reach sessions are delivered in schools, colleges, & other community settings to help CYP reintegrate into their daily lives while maintaining therapeutic progress.
• Meal support and psychoeducation for young people & their families, promoting sustainable recovery at home.
• Multidisciplinary care planning and supervision, ensuring continuity & quality of care across settings.
• Training and consultation to professionals & carers, enhancing system-wide understanding & support for eating disorders.

Main duties of the job

• Support young people with daily routines, mealtimes, and structured therapeutic activities.
• Provide practical and emotional support to young people and families in line with individual care plans.
• Assist in delivery of therapeutic interventions and psychoeducational sessions under the supervision of qualified staff.
• Promote recovery, independence, and positive coping strategies.
• Observe, monitor, and report any changes in presentation, behaviour, or physical health to senior staff.

Working for our organisation

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are ‘United in our Uniqueness’ and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification which gives a further detailed description of the role.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Educated to minimum GCSE level or equivalent grade A-C, including English.
• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care
• Higher apprenticeship level 5/Foundation Degree or equivalent in related subject or a willingness to work towards achieving this.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Relevant placements/experience to the role including supporting or contributing to assessment and management of dietetic and OT conditions in relation to eating disorders
• Significant experience of working with children with Mental Health Needs as a member of a multidisciplinary community team
• Experience of working with families
• Experience of supporting other workers and role modelling recommended approaches / interventions in practice.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in a variety of community settings including patient’s homes
• Has worked as a dietetic and/or Occupational Therapy Assistant in the past
• Experience of working with young people with eating disorders
• Experience of employing evidenced based interventions with children

Skills

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of dietetic and Occupational Therapy treatment and management
• Understanding of Information Governance, Data Protection, Care Certificate HCPC/BDA standards and Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults.
• Contribute to the discharge arrangements into the care of other services

Desirable criteria

• Experience using the RIO system
• Proven record of Multidisciplinary working
• Has a working knowledge of history taking and documentation