Occupational Therapist Level 2

Manchester City Council; Greater Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Essential Car User Allowance

Generous holiday allowance

Local government pension scheme

Enhanced parental and carers leave

MCR+ discounts and perks

Volunteer leave up to 3 days

Job summary

Manchester City Council is seeking an experienced Occupational Therapist to join our Integrated Neighbourhood Teams. You will work to help Manchester residents live healthier, safer and more independent lives using your OT expertise alongside social care colleagues.

You will undertake functional and moving and handling assessments, recommend equipment and adaptations, and provide guidance while supporting safeguarding and rehabilitation initiatives.

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy and HCPC registration is required.
• Experience with functional and moving and handling assessments is essential.
• Ability to assess equipment and adaptations and provide guidance.

Responsibilities

• Carry out functional assessments and moving and handling assessments.
• Recommend equipment and adaptations where appropriate.
• Provide advice, guidance and safeguarding support.
• Champion prevention, reablement and rehabilitation.
• Help people remain in their own homes and reduce formal care needs.

Skills

Resilience

Empathy

Communication skills

Critical thinking

Analytical skills

Report writing

Education

HCPC registered Occupational Therapist

Tools

Functional assessment tools

Moving & handling equipment

Assistive technology

Job description

About The Role

Working Hours: 35 Hours per Week

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Style: Hybrid

Additional Payments: Essential Car User Allowance

Closing Date: 11.59pm, 1 October 2026

Applicants must have existing right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This Role is Subject to:

• Legal right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment.
• Qualification: BSC (Hons) Occupational Therapy and registration with HCPC
• Car Documentation: This post is a designated Essential Car User. Therefore, you must always hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work. You will receive the Essential Car User Allowance.
• DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Clearance: This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here. We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request.
• Medical Clearance: Pre-placement health assessment (PPHA)

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Role details:

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Occupational Therapist to work within our Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, helping Manchester residents live healthier, safer and more independent lives.

This is a great opportunity to work within an integrated team, using your Occupational Therapy expertise alongside Social Workers and Social Care Assessors to identify strengths, reduce barriers and achieve positive outcomes for people in Manchester.

You will undertake functional assessments, moving and handling assessments, recommend equipment and adaptations where appropriate, provide advice/guidance, support safeguarding, and champion prevention, reablement and rehabilitation.

You will help people remain in their own homes for longer, reduce reliance on formal care and prevent unnecessary hospital or residential admissions.

Enable people to thrive. Drive change. Build healthier communities.

Please contact Sarah Piercey, Principal Occupational Therapist ([email protected]) and Rachael Jones, OT Team Manager ([email protected]) for further information about the role.

Why choose us

A Principal Occupational Therapist in post, leading the way and shining a light on what we do as Occupational Therapists

Access to a state-of-the-art equipment & adaptation demonstration facility - https://www.manchesterlco.org/smart-suite/

Access to a Padlet providing a one stop platform for all things OT in Manchester City Council.

Manchester is a large bustling vibrant city with great transport links, concerts, events, festivals, restaurants and unique and independent businesses. It's the place to be!

What our OTs say

'There is no doubt about the vibrance, spirit and sheer potential that defines Manchester. Working in a city that is bold, dynamic and not afraid to do things differently has been an exciting opportunity and experience as an occupational therapist'

'I love Manchester as a City and working with the citizens of Manchester is amazingly rewarding. The community OT role offers the opportunity to work with a diverse range of citizens with a range of conditions, this means that after 23 years of working as an OT I am continuing to learn every day and every day is different. The flexible working means that I can establish a good work life/balance'

About the Candidate

• You will be resilient, empathic, compassionate and motivated.
• You must be organised and have excellent oral communication and written skills and be able to complete comprehensive reports in a timely and efficient manner.
• We are looking for a critical and innovative thinker who can gather and analyse information, manage risk and maximise citizens' quality of life.
• You should have experience of functional assessment, moving and handling, equipment, adaptations, and assistive technology and have an understanding of relevant social care and disability legislation.
• You will maintain the standards set out by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Royal College of Occupational Therapy (RCOT)
• We offer Monday - Friday working, with no working on bank holidays or weekends, and a 35 hour working week, supporting a positive work/life balance.
• Your induction will be tailored to you so you can learn at your own pace.

About Us

We're the local council for one of the UK's most vibrant and diverse cities.

Working for Manchester isn't just a job - it's an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it's strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you'll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city - a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We 'own it' and we're not afraid to try new things
• We're proud and passionate about Manchester

Benefits we offer

• Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
• A buzzing pension - You'll be enrolled in the UK's largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
• A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council

At Manchester City Council, we're dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

• Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long-term condition

When You Join Us

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [email protected].

What we will need from you if you're successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.

Pre-Employment Checks

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you've applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:

• Proof of Right to Work: You'll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK. Please note, visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role.