Band 3 Occupational Therapy Support Worker - Bristol

Avon And Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Nhs Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health service provider in the UK is seeking a full-time Occupational Therapy Support Worker to join their Secure Services team. The role involves engaging and motivating service users with mental health needs through meaningful activities. Candidates should have experience in delivering group or 1:1 sessions. This position offers a comprehensive induction, regular supervision, and opportunities for ongoing development. The organization values diversity and encourages applications from various backgrounds.

Benefits

Structured induction package

Ongoing training and development opportunities

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Experience in running groups or 1:1 sessions with service users.
• Ability to engage and support individuals with mental health needs.
• Willingness to participate in ongoing training and development.

Responsibilities

• Promote recovery through meaningful activities.
• Plan and deliver 1:1 or group sessions under supervision.
• Support service users in achieving independence.

Skills

Engagement skills

Motivational skills

Experience in group sessions

Job description

We have a full‑time opportunity within our Secure Services Occupational Therapy team, working with mental health service users in a secure in‑patient setting.

Wickham unit is a 31‑beded low secure service, providing recovery‑focussed care. Fromeside is a regional medium secure unit, which provides a service to 81 in‑patient service users with mental health needs.

The occupational therapy team is a well‑established, integral and valued part of the multi‑disciplinary clinical team. The therapies team predominantly provides a Monday to Friday 9‑5 service.

The person we recruit will have a broad range of “life skills” and should be able to engage, motivate, and support service users with mental health needs in a wide range of activities. Ideally you will have some experience in running groups or 1:1 sessions in some capacity. In this post you will work closely with qualified occupational therapists, but also have the opportunity to use your initiative and work independently. You will work to support service users in achieving their potential to function as independently as possible in all aspects of their life.

Main duties of the job

We promote recovery through engaging in meaningful activities to maintain or improve the service user’s level of functioning and quality of life. Much emphasis is placed on providing service users with the opportunity to develop or adapt life skills. We aim to empower each individual to fulfil their maximum potential and independence, physically, psychologically and socially. We deliver a comprehensive programme of activities to inspire, encourage and support individuals who have mental health needs on their journey to recovery. As part of the team you will plan and deliver 1:1 or group sessions under the supervision of occupational therapists.

On joining the team you will receive a comprehensive, structured induction package and have the chance to work with a supportive team in a unique and innovative environment. You will receive regular supervision and support in this post. We run monthly CPD (Continuing Professional Development) and have opportunities for engaging in ongoing training and development. Others who have worked within this role have gone on to carry out their Occupational Therapy apprenticeship alongside their post within the team.

The Occupational Therapy Team at this site works together to provide a comprehensive and inspiring service to all our inpatients. We are looking to recruit a Band 3 Occupational Therapy Support Worker who would like to work with our team in this setting.

About AWP

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust), a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community‑based mental health care.

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person‑centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community.