Occupational Therapist - HMP High Down

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust; Sutton Green; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Occupational Therapist (Band 7) to work within the Psychologically Informed Planned Environment (PIPE) units at HMP High Down. You will deliver assessments and interventions for men with complex needs in a multi-disciplinary team, focusing on recovery and functional outcomes.

The role requires leadership, risk management, and evidence-based practice in a prison setting, with opportunities for service development and

Qualifications

• Essential criteria include HPCP registration as an OT and ongoing professional development.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team within a prison setting.
• Knowledge of CPA, Mental Health Act, MAPPA, and safeguarding frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist OT assessments for prisoners in PIPE units using MOHO-based approaches.
• Deliver evidence-based individual and group OT interventions.
• Develop care plans in partnership with service users and colleagues reflecting recovery goals.

Skills

Clinical reasoning

Communication skills

Teamwork

Risk assessment

Education

HPCP Registered Practitioner Occupational Therapist

Mentorship or supervisor qualification

Evidence of professional development

Job description

Job Overview

Are you a passionate and experienced Band 7 Occupational Therapist seeking a fresh and rewarding challenge? Or perhaps you're a Band 6 OT ready to take the next step in your career? If so, we'd love to hear from you! An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our multi-disciplinary team within a Psychologically Informed Planned Environment (PIPE) at HMP High Down. This role is ideal for a practitioner who is passionate about delivering trauma-informed care in a prison setting and is committed to supporting individuals with complex psychological needs and learning difficulties. You will work closely with service users and staff to create a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment that fosters personal growth, rehabilitation, and relational security. You’ll be part of a supportive, multidisciplinary team where reflective practice, relational working, and psychological safety are central to our approach. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a supportive and innovative environment, while developing your clinical and leadership skills.

Main duties of the job

Work as an independent OT practitioner with men presenting with complex & challenging needs who reside on the P.I.P.E units, engaging in the PIPE Outreach service & those where referral to OPD services may be considered. Working within the MDT to provide a comprehensive service to men with learning disabilities and personality disorder resident on the PIPE unit & to contribute to ensuring the PIPE is a successful environment. Working as part of a team supporting men on normal location in High Down, through the OPD Outreach service. Lead on the planning & delivery of enrichment activities & a therapeutic social setting & to an Enabling Environment as defined by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. The Progression PIPE is working towards the Enabling Environment award currently, and this role is key in developing the environment to achieve the award. Work with the wider OPD Pathway to integrate careful selection of assessment tools & interventions with personal recovery principles which will engage individuals in activities & occupation. Apply a high level of understanding of the impact of mental & physical health conditions; providing training & advice on lifestyle changes & adaptations. Work with the Clinical Lead to continue to develop & deliver a comprehensive OT Service within a learning disability progression PIPE, including assessment, intervention & evaluation which is underpinned by an evidence base & personal recovery principles.

Working for our organisation

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust offers its staff ongoing career progression through:

• Monthly supervision
• Annual personal development plans/appraisals
• Access to exciting internal and external training opportunities.

Excellent progression through various career pathway opportunities such as but not limited to:

• Preceptorship Programme
• Support and guidance with Revalidation
• Hidden Gem and annual award ceremonies

Excellent staff benefits, our benefit packages are amongst the best in London and include:

• Health and wellbeing services
• Season ticket loans
• Cycle to work scheme
• Relocation package *subject to meeting criteria*

The trust also values its staff and you are entitled to become a member of MyTrustBenefits. MyTrustBenefits is an online portal for all CNWL staff, as well as their family and friends. It offers over 1400 discounts at hundreds of retailers nationwide. Save money on your weekly food shops, toiletries, cosmetics, cinema, meals out, holidays, travel and entertainment. You can also access free online courses on a variety of topics, professional and personal, ranging from business management, languages, law and teaching.

All of our sites in Surrey offer free use of the onsite leisure facilities and free parking for staff.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Please see attached JD&PS for full details of duties and responsibilities.

Clinical

• To provide specialist, culturally appropriate, evidence based occupational therapy assessments for individuals within the prison setting in order to establish and meet their occupational needs. To select and use validated standardised assessment tools routinely and in practice, exhibiting clinical reasoning skills; to include the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) assessments.
• To apply clinical knowledge and skills to carry out evidence based occupational therapy interventions, both individual and in groups, which are underpinned by relevant theoretical approaches.
• To plan, implement and review individually tailored programmes of intervention using individual and group work approaches with prisoners within the PIPE unit
• To support service users and colleagues to ensure that care plans are developed in partnership with the individual and that they reflect ‘recovery goals’. These should be strengths-based and oriented towards reinforcing a positive identity and developing valued social roles.
• To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions against clear aims, objectives and outcome measures in line with evidence based practice and in conjunction with service users, carers and other professionals.
• To work collaboratively with all professionals within the PIPE unit in developing care plans and risk assessments for prisoners.
• To support individuals to develop skills and knowledge; and engage with community partner agencies, to facilitate successful transitions from the prison environment to the community.
• To proactively undertake and ensure rigorous risk assessment & risk management strategies are applied. To ensure maximum ‘risk tolerance’ facilitates the individual’s recovery, in line with risk policies and local guidelines.

Person specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential criteria

• HPCP Registered Practitioner Occupational Therapist
• Mentorship or supervisor qualification
• Evidence of professional development since registration

Desirable criteria

• Post registration qualification that enhances clinical work: CBT, DBT, Dual Diagnosis, etc.

Previous Experience

Essential criteria

• Relevant post registration experience
• Experience of working as part of a multi- disciplinary team
• Experience of working with complex clients
• Experience of running a group program
• Experience of leading and /or developing a service/ component of a service

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in a Prison or forensic environment

Skills and Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Risk assessment and management skills
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
• Knowledge of CPA, Mental Health Act, MAPPA, legislation and policies relevant to prison mental health.

Other

Essential criteria

• To conduct self in accordance with relevant code of conduct and practice for registration
• Full clearance via the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS), and ability to achieve enhanced Prison Clearance (vetting).

Attitudes, aptitudes, personal characteristics

Essential criteria

• Motivated to maintain the highest standards possible in the service.
• Able to accept constructive feedback.
• Able to ask for support where required.
• Compassionate & non-judgmental approach
• Flexible

Skills and Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Expert in engaging with people with mental health problems, assessing their needs, designing and delivering appropriate interventions and evaluating the effectiveness of the process
• Excellent IT skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently as appropriate.
• To use supervision positively and effectively.
• Proven ability to work with patients to increase their level of self-determination and resilience.
• Effective time management.
• Knowledge of the needs and rights of patients.
• Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks
• Problem solving, stress management & conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to engage in evidence based practice, with an understanding of care quality (clinical governance).
• Knowledge of current challenges / developments in Prison health