Lead Occupational Therapist

Central And North West London Nhs Foundation Trust; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CPD opportunities

Career progression

Job summary

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust in London seeks an experienced Occupational Therapist with leadership responsibilities to oversee Brent Community Mental Health Hubs and Early Intervention Services. The role combines expert clinical work with service leadership, workforce development and strategic transformation.

The post holder will lead supervision, professional guidance and the development of an OT workforce, while working with partners to improve outcomes for service users

Qualifications

• HCPC registered Occupational Therapist.
• Experience leading and/or developing OT services.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise staff and provide professional development.
• Experience participating in audit, research and quality improvement projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional leadership and operational support to OT staff across Brent CMHH and Early Intervention Services.
• Maintain a specialist clinical caseload for people with complex mental health needs.
• Lead workforce development, student education, recruitment and succession planning.
• Drive quality improvement, service development and transformation initiatives.
• Foster partnerships with service users, carers, community organisations and external providers.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Occupational Therapy

Mental health

Communication

Team development

Education

Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy

Job description

Job summary

The post holder will provide expert clinical leadership, supervision and operational support to Occupational Therapy staff within Brent Community Mental Health Hubs and Early Intervention Services, whilst maintaining a complex clinical caseload.

They will deliver specialist occupational therapy assessments and interventions, modelling high-quality, occupation-centred and recovery-focused practice. The role combines clinical expertise with leadership responsibility, supporting staff development through supervision, coaching and professional guidance.

The successful candidate will lead service development, quality improvement and innovation projects, while providing expert occupational therapy advice within multidisciplinary teams. They will work collaboratively with service users, carers, colleagues and partner organisations to improve outcomes and experiences.

The role includes responsibility for workforce development, student education, recruitment and supporting future Occupational Therapy leaders. Working closely with senior managers and clinical leaders, the post holder will contribute to strategic priorities and service developments, helping to shape the future of Occupational Therapy services across Brent.

Main duties of the job

• Provide professional leadership and operational support to Occupational Therapy staff across Brent CMHH and Early Intervention Services.
• Maintain a specialist clinical caseload, delivering expert assessment and intervention for people with complex mental health needs.
• Model and promote high-quality, occupation-centred, recovery-focused practice.
• Lead the development of a skilled OT workforce through supervision, coaching and professional development.
• Support staff wellbeing, retention, recruitment and succession planning.
• Lead and contribute to quality improvement, service development and transformation projects.
• Provide expert occupational therapy advice within multidisciplinary teams.
• Work collaboratively with service users, carers, community organisations and partner agencies to promote recovery, independence and social inclusion.
• Develop community partnerships that enhance opportunities and outcomes for service users.
• Contribute to borough-wide and Trust-wide initiatives, professional networks and strategic developments.
• Support student education, practice placements and workforce development activities.
• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, compassion and partnership, helping to shape the future of Occupational Therapy services in Brent.

About us

Join one of the friendliest and most supportive Occupational Therapy services in London and become part of CNWL's well-established OT workforce of over 350 Occupational Therapists working across mental health, physical health and specialist services.

CNWL offers a strong professional leadership structure, including borough Head OTs, specialist professional leads, a Trust-wide Professional Head of Occupational Therapy and an AHP Director, ensuring excellent professional support and career development opportunities.

Professional development is a priority, with access to supervision, mentoring, leadership programmes, quality improvement training, research opportunities, clinical networks and specialist forums. Many of Brent's senior clinical and operational leaders started their careers in local roles and progressed through development opportunities within the borough.

Brent is one of the UK's most diverse boroughs, and we are proud of our inclusive workforce and the communities we serve. We are committed to creating an environment where staff feel valued, supported and able to thrive.

At CNWL, our values of Compassion, Respect, Empowerment and Partnership underpin everything we do, helping us deliver innovative, recovery-focused care while creating a positive and rewarding place to work.

Job responsibilities

The post holder will provide professional leadership, supervision and support to Occupational Therapy staff working within Brent Community Mental Health Hubs, promoting high standards of professional practice and occupationally focused care.

They will lead the ongoing development of Occupational Therapy services across Brent CMHH, identifying opportunities for innovation, quality improvement and service redesign. The post holder will support the implementation of new initiatives and work collaboratively with service users, carers, staff and partner organisations to improve outcomes and experiences.

The successful candidate will provide expert professional advice within multidisciplinary teams, promoting evidence-based occupational therapy and ensuring interventions support recovery, independence, meaningful occupation and social inclusion.

The role includes responsibility for professional supervision, workforce development, student education, recruitment and supporting the development of future Occupational Therapy leaders. The post holder will champion continuous learning, reflective practice and quality improvement methodologies.

Working alongside senior managers and clinical leaders, the post holder will contribute to strategic planning, service transformation and borough-wide developments. They will represent Occupational Therapy at local and Trust-wide forums and support the development of partnerships that strengthen opportunities for service users within their communities.

We are looking for a compassionate and inspiring leader who fosters positive team cultures, values collaboration and partnership, and can motivate others through periods of change. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring Brent CMHH continues to provide innovative, inclusive and high-quality mental health services that reflect the diverse communities we serve and the CNWL values of Compassion, Respect, Empowerment and Partnership.

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy.
• HCPC registered Occupational Therapist
• Practice Placement Educator's Course
• Mental health specific workshops and short courses

Desirable

• Post graduate training specific to clinical specialty
• Management & Leadership Diploma.
• PSIRF trained

Previous Experience

Essential

• Significant post qualification experience working in mental health services.
• Experience in participating in audit / research projects.
• Experience in leading and/or developing a service/component of a service
• Experience in using a range of standardised OT assessments
• Experience of supervising and appraising staff / unqualified staff; recruitment and workforce planning
• Experience of effective partnership working, with external providers, in promoting socially inclusive opportunities for service users.
• Experience working in trauma informed service
• Experience in completing Risk Assessment Tools
• Experience in managing a complex caseload

Desirable

• Experience in community mental health
• Experience in managing complex HR issues with staff e.g. the management of performance / long term sickness.
• Experience in completing Root Cause Analysis investigations.
• Experience in supporting young people in CAMHS or paediatric services

Skills, Knowledge, Abilities

Essential

• Ability to deal with sensitivities and complexities, using interpersonal skills
• Effective leadership skills through the management of designated projects, audits and research.
• Presentation skills
• Excellent communication skills i.e. written, verbal, listening and proficient use of up to date systems of communication i.e. IT systems, e -mail, fax, telephone etc.
• Ability to work autonomously, on own initiative and under pressure to meet deadlines; & to make and action decisions independently within agreed time frames.
• Ability to maintain effective partnership working with resources both internal and external to the Trust
• Ability to determine the impact of mental and physical conditions on a service user's functional ability and undertake assessment/make recommendations with regards to the provision of equipment/aids and adaptations.
• Ability to promote a culture of sound OT practice amongst staff
• bility to recognise and articulate own values and principles, understanding how these may be different from those of others

Desirable

• R&D experience at post graduate level.
• Delivery of formal presentations and teaching sessions.
• Chairing of senior meetings.
• Training in psychological therapies e.g. DBT, CBT
• Membership of RCOT and Specialist Sections.

Attitudes, Aptitudes Personal Characteristics

Essential

• Committed to working as part of an MDT
• Able to work flexibly
• Able to utilise and provide supervision effectively
• Demonstrates a commitment to personal development and team development
• Demonstrates an enthusiasm for the post
• Ability to work independently and is self motivated

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.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).