Assistant Therapy Practitioner – Occupational Therapy

Hpft; Great Yarmouth; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Assistant Therapy Practitioner in Occupational Therapy to support adults with learning disabilities in East Norfolk. The role requires collaboration with qualified therapists and a commitment to person-centred care within community settings.

You will work under supervision of a Band 6 OT, contribute to assessments, plan interventions, and help deliver therapy programs across multiple bases, with flexible hours and driving

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Occupational Therapy role within setting.
• Experience with Microsoft Office.
• An A Levels / NVQ Level 3 or equivalent.
• Degree in a relevant subject.
• Experience with learning disabilities and/or mental health.
• Ability to work autonomously.

Responsibilities

• Plan and facilitate occupationally based 1:1s and groups.
• Work with service users on tasks and activities guided by an OT.
• Carry out OT assessments as guided by an OT.
• Promote engagement in meaningful occupation to enhance quality of life.
• Maintain clinical records and liaise with carers and professionals.
• Attend mandatory training and participate in supervision.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamworking

Teaching practical skills

Second language

Education

A Levels / NVQ L3 or equivalent

Degree in relevant subject

Knowledge of OT role within setting

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Assistant Therapy Practitioner – Occupational Therapy

NHS AfC: Band 4

Main area Community Learning Disabilities Occupational Therapy Grade NHS AfC: Band 4 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week Job ref 367-LDF-101734

Site Greyfriars House Town Great Yarmouth Salary £28,392 - £31,157 per anumn pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 05/11/2026 23:59 Interview date 09/11/2026

Values Based Screener

At Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust we are looking for people to join us who share our values and those of the NHS. Before your application can be considered please take part on our online values questionnaire, which you can find below. When you have finished you will be sent a 'completion code' by email, which will be valid for 6 months and required to submit your application form.

We welcome all applications from all suitable candidates, unfortunately, we will not be offering sponsorship for this role.

We are looking for a motivated and compassionate person to join our Community Learning Disabilities Team, covering East Norfolk. This role of Occupational Therapy Assistant will include supporting people with learning disabilities to develop their independence, build on their strengths and achieve meaningful goals in their everyday lives. Previous experience in this area would be beneficial, but is not essential. We welcome applicants with limited direct experience who are enthusiastic, willing to learn and able to demonstrate transferable skills.

Your development of knowledge and confidence within the role will be supported by your line manager, a band 6 Occupational Therapist. You will be part of an Occupational Therapy Team, consisting of a band 7 team lead and 3 band 6s, which is part of the wider service across Norfolk.

The East Norfolk area covers a large geographical area, including Wells-next-the-Sea, Great Yarmouth, Diss, Wymondham. Therefore the post holder will need to hold a full driving licence and have access to their own vehicle. You will be located at one of our 3 bases (Attleborough, Greyfriars and Kelling), which base can be negotiated at interview.

Main duties of the job

The Occupational Therapy Assistant is a valued member of the Community Learning Disability Team, supporting Occupational Therapists to deliver person-centred, evidence-based interventions that promote independence, participation, health, and wellbeing for adults with learning disabilities. Working under the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist, the post holder contributes to the assessment, planning, implementation, and review of occupational therapy interventions that enable individuals to engage in meaningful daily activities, develop life skills, and achieve their personal goals. The role involves working collaboratively with service users, families, carers, support providers, and multidisciplinary team colleagues to reduce barriers to participation, promote inclusion, and enhance quality of life. The Occupational Therapy Assistant supports individuals across a range of community settings, helping them to maximise their independence, maintain occupational performance, and participate fully in their chosen roles and activities. This includes contributing to the delivery of occupational therapy pathways, supporting therapeutic programmes, monitoring progress, and maintaining accurate clinical records in accordance with professional and organisational standards.

Working for our organisation

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of ‘Outstanding’ from theCare Quality Commission.

Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. E verything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities :

• To plan and facilitate occupationally based 1:1s and groups guided by an Occupational Therapist.
• To work individually with service users on specific tasks and therapeutic activities guided by an Occupational Therapist.
• To carry out specific Occupational Therapy assessments as guided by an Occupational Therapist.
• To promote a culture of engagement in meaningful occupation within the service in order to enhance quality of life.
• To provide interventions in the manner that is consistent with Trust standards and values.
• To provide feedback to the team regarding observed occupational performance during a session which will contribute to assessment and therapeutic interventions.
• To maintain clinical records using the electronic patient record system.
• To liaise with carers and other professionals as relevant.
• To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.
• To attend mandatory training.
• To undertake relevant activities to meet training objectives identified with your supervisor.
• To keep a record of your training and development activities.
• The role is primarily worked during standard office hours; however, occasional flexibility may be required to meet service needs

Clinical Responsibility

To work effectively as a member of a team in providing therapeutic activities using a person centered and occupationally based approach.

To provide core Occupational Therapy advice, intervention and support given to service users and their carers under guidance of the Occupational Therapist.

To provide timely feedback to the MDT regarding the service users wellbeing and occupational performance.

To use technical / creative skills to engage service users in meaningful and appropriate activities to promote independence, recovery and well-being.

Under guidance of an Occupational Therapist, facilitate and deliver planned group-work and individual activities.

Under the guidance of the Occupational Therapist provide ongoing assessment and adjustment of clinical interventions based on the fluctuating needs of the service users.

Undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.

To ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.

To contribute to risk assessments with regards to service users and clinical environment.

To report incidents, safeguarding concerns, complaints and compliments.

To actively participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal.

To actively participate in safety huddles and de-brief sessions as appropriate.

• To adhere to the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, the Trust’s Code of Conduct for Non-qualified Staff and all other relevant policies and procedures.

Person specification

QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION TRAINING

• Knowledge of Occupational Therapy role within setting
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office and associated packages
• A Levels and/or Health and Social Care NVQ level 3 or equivalent
• Degree in relevant subject

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

• Experience of working with people with learning disabilities and/or mental health problems
• Ability to work autonomously
• Experience of working in a OT related setting
• Experience of leading groups and 1:1 interventions
• Experience of service user and carer involvement in the development of services
• Knowledge of Recovery principles
• Functional Assessment Training

SKILLS KNOWLEDGE and ABILITY 1. COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• Ability to provide and receive sensitive information regarding services users care and social situation
• Strong communication skills written and verbal
• Knowledge and ability to use a range of communication skills to overcome barriers to engagement
• Ability to work effectively in a team
• Knowledge of appropriate professional relationships and boundaries
• Ability to teach practical skills
• Presentation Skills
• Second language (other than English)

SKILLS KNOWLEDGE and ABILITY 2. ANALYTICAL SKILLS

• Good problem solving and clinical judgement skills
• Ability to respond and adjust appropriately to the changing needs of service users
• Good Observational skills
• Knowledge and experience of using the Model of Human Occupation Assessment tools

SKILLS KNOWLEDGE and ABILITY 3. PHYSICAL SKILLS

• Ability to use a range of IT equipment relevant to the role.
• Ability to engage in a range of physical activities
• Car Driver (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 which prevents you from driving)

SKILLS KNOWLEDGE and ABILITY 4. PHYSICAL EFFORT

• Appropriate level of fitness to undertake all tasks within the role including RESPECT techniques unless you have a disability defined by the Equality Act
• Appropriate level of fitness to undertake moving and handling tasks required for the role
• Car Driver – ability to drive for extended periods of time (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 which prevents you from driving)

SKILLS KNOWLEDGE and ABILITY 5. MENTAL EFFORT

• Ability to concentrate, respond appropriately to interruptions and meet deadlines

SKILLS KNOWLEDGE and ABILITY 6. EMOTIONAL EFFORT

• Regular requirement to deal with distressing or emotionally charged situations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Demonstrate an understanding of the value of activity to personal wellbeing

Please note, we do not charge fees for job applications, recruitment processes, sponsorship arrangements, or employment offers. Please see the Trust careers vacancy webpage and Trac as the only authorised routes for recruitment communications, applications and verification of job offers.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.