Lead Occupational Therapist

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in the United Kingdom is looking for an enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to join their team in City of Westminster. This role offers the chance to lead projects, develop services, and shape the care provided to service users. Ideal candidates will have leadership experience and be ready to support innovation in occupational therapy practices. You will oversee a diverse team, ensuring high-quality therapy and activity delivery while fostering professional growth in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Regular supervision and mentoring

Access to specialist training

Opportunities for career progression

Qualifications

• Motivated OT ready for developing leadership skills.
• Experience or understanding of community care.
• Commitment to personal and team CPD.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership to the Tamarind Team.
• Collaborate with various professionals to support service users.
• Manage a defined OT caseload using evidence-based principles.
• Develop and implement group programmes within the wards.

Skills

Leadership experience

Creative thinking

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Collaboration skills

Education

Relevant qualification as Occupational Therapist

Job description

We're looking for an enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to join our vibrant team at Park Royal – and this isn't just any OT role. This is your chance to shape services, lead exciting projects, and make a real difference for service users while developing your own career.

Why this role is different

• Develop and Diversify OT Provision – you'll have the freedom to expand activity and OT services across our acute wards and PICU, supported by an open-minded senior management team that values fresh thinking.
• Leadership Opportunities – this role is perfect for an experienced Band 6 (with line management, leadership experience) or Band 7 OT ready to step up. You'll lead projects, supervise a dynamic team, and gain exposure to service development. Many of our previous Lead OTs have progressed to Band 8a within a couple of years – and we'll support you to do the same.
• Transitional Care Project – help us bridge the gap between acute and community care. We're planning to pilot a model where acute OTs support service users into community spaces, improving continuity of care and reducing readmission rates. Your input will shape this innovative approach.
• New Coffee Bar Project – be part of a creative vocational enablement initiative where service users help run a coffee bar, building real‑world skills and linking to employment opportunities in the community. Your ideas and leadership will help make this a success.

About the Team

You will oversee the Tamarind team:

• 5 OTs
• 1 OT apprentice
• 4 Activity Coordinators
• 2 Fitness Instructors
• 1 Peer Support Worker

Together, you'll deliver meaningful activity and therapy across 4 acute wards and 1 PICU – and help us take things to the next level to meet the needs of our diverse and vibrant local community.

Who we are looking for

• A motivated OT ready for developing their leadership and service development skills.
• Someone who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and enjoys working with multiple stakeholders.
• A creative thinker who sees change as an opportunity.
• Committed to CPD for themselves and their team.

Working for our organisation – Our offer to you

• A supportive team of OTs, activity coordinators, fitness instructors, and peer support workers.
• Regular supervision and mentorship from HOT.
• Opportunities to lead on OT projects and QI initiatives.
• Access to specialist OT forums, CPD sessions, and research networks.
• A workplace that values creativity, inclusion, and professional growth.
• Opportunity for specialist training such as Sensory Integration Practitioner.

Key responsibilities

• Provide professional and day‑to‑day clinical leadership, and expertise to the Tamarind Team.
• Work effectively in partnership and collaboration with a range of agencies and professionals that support service users in their recovery.
• Ensure all interventions amplify an individual's self‑management skills in line with the principles and ethos of recovery and social inclusion.
• Be involved with the development and implementation of the Ward Group Programmes.
• Manage a defined complex occupational therapy caseload using evidence‑based and person‑centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate specialist OT treatment.
• Work in conjunction with the Borough Head OT and other Lead OTs in the Trust to support the development of and promote evidence‑based OT within the acute roles.
• Work in conjunction with senior staff in the MDT and our acute service to support the development of OT and Activity services at Park Royal Centre for Mental Health.
• Provide training and education to occupational therapists and other professionals with regard to how occupation may assist the recovery of service users.
• Jointly work with other Lead OTs in acute services in CNWL to develop services including specific projects, audit and research.
• Act as an educator to students on practice placement.
• Act as mentor for OT apprenticeships as required.