Horticultural Therapist

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Aldenham; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

A mental health trust in England seeks a Horticultural Therapist to provide therapeutic horticultural interventions for adult inpatients. Responsibilities include individual and group therapy, promoting social inclusion, and improving mental health. Qualifications include relevant horticultural therapy credentials and experience in a mental health setting. This part-time role offers flexible working patterns and a salary range of £28,860 to £31,671 per annum, pro rata.

Qualifications

• Experience of horticultural therapy work.
• Experience of leading groups and 1:1 intervention.
• Ability to work autonomously.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group Horticultural Therapy interventions.
• Increase confidence and improve self-esteem.
• Encourage engagement in horticultural projects.

Skills

Ability to teach practical skills

Education

Relevant horticultural therapy qualification

A Levels/Health and Social Care NVQ/L3 qualification

Knowledge of OT within the setting

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Horticultural Therapist

The closing date is 28 December 2025

There is a rare opportunity due to staff moving on to join our Adult Acute Inpatient Mental Health therapies team as a horticultural therapist.

The post holder will provide individual and group assessment and intervention to service users with a range of mental health needs, providing an essential part of the therapy offer.

You will work alongside occupational therapists, physio, arts therapists as well as a full multidisciplinary team of medics, psychologists, nurses and HCAs.

There are regular opportunities for formal and informal training and skills development.

Main duties of the job

To work as part of the Occupational Therapy team in adult acute mental health inpatient services, either alone or with other MDT staff, to deliver horticultural intervention in individual or group settings.

All staff should comply with the Trusts' Anti-Discriminatory Statement, Employee Charter, Trust Policies and Procedures, Code of Conduct and Equality and Diversity.

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care 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. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Job responsibilities

• Provide individual and group Horticultural Therapy interventions to service users on the adult inpatient wards as agreed with the supervising registered Occupational Therapist, aiming to promote social inclusion;
• Increase confidence and improve self-esteem, provide opportunities to learn new and transferable skills, improve physical health and fitness, increase awareness of the importance of healthy diet;
• Provide a sense of purpose and achievement, improve mental health, provide opportunities for improving social skills through teamwork and developing friendships;
• Encourage engagement in horticultural projects, and liaise with local community offers;
• Use technical and creative skills to assist in the provision of a flexible, service user‑centred programme of horticultural and associated activities to achieve specific therapeutic goals for individuals or groups of service users who experience mental health difficulties;
• Promote the use and application of therapeutic horticultural activities to the MDT;
• Under guidance of Occupational Therapist, provide opportunities for observational and structured assessments based on the Model of Human Occupational, identifying individuals' challenges, strengths, and progress.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Relevant horticultural therapy qualification
• Knowledge of MS Office
• A Levels/Health and Social Care NVQ/L3 qualification
• Knowledge of OT within the setting
• Experience of working in a mental health setting

Experience

• Experience of horticultural therapy work
• Experience of leading groups and 1:1 intervention
• Ability to work autonomously
• Experience of working with people with MH/LD
• Experience of SU/carer involvement
• Knowledge of recovery principles

Skills

• Ability to teach practical skills

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.

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

£28,860 to £31,671 a year per annum, pro rata (5% HCAS Included)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part‑time, Flexible working, Compressed hours