Occupational Therapist | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust

North East London NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 4,000 - 6,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health service provider in Greater London is seeking a Band 5 Occupational Therapist to join their multidisciplinary team. This role focuses on providing specialized services to older adults with mental health conditions, particularly dementia. The successful candidate will have a relevant OT degree, HCPC registration, and strong communication skills. The position offers a supportive induction and professional development opportunities, emphasizing a recovery-focused approach to mental health in the community.

Benefits

High Cost Area Supplement

Comprehensive induction program

Continuous Professional Development opportunities

Qualifications

• Demonstrate knowledge of mental health treatment strategies.
• Experience in a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to autonomously assess client needs.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of service users with dementia and mental illness.
• Provide specialist service and interventions.
• Support a culture of recovery and inclusion.

Skills

Current HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist

Interest in working with older adults with mental health conditions

Evidence-based practice knowledge

Strong time management skills

Excellent communication skills

Computer literacy

Education

Degree in Occupational Therapy

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 5 OT to join our multidisciplinary community team. You will be supervised by our Clinical Lead OT and provided with relevant training and supervision opportunities (including preceptorship) to help you reach your next professional step. You will be working alongside other OTs in the Memory service. Older Adult Mental Health service truly values the holistic nature of the OT role.

Our team is based at Broad street Centre, Morland Road Dagenham Essex and a number of major transport links (District Line and bus routes). There is also limited free parking at our site.

The successful candidate will use their evidence‑based clinical skills to manage a caseload of service users with frailty and functional mental illness or a primary diagnosis of dementia. You will be working within a diverse community in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, to develop quality services which improve the lives of local people.

You will provide a specialist service and interventions in accordance with the Care Programme Approach, national policies and clinical guidelines.

As an organisation NELFT strives to deliver services within a recovery‑focused and socially inclusive approach. The time is right for innovative clinicians to provide skilled input within a multidisciplinary team to support a culture of recovery and social inclusion.

• Current HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist (applicants awaiting HCPC registration will also be considered)
• Demonstrate a clear interest in working with older adults with a mental health condition or a dementia
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of evidence‑based practice and be able to prioritise caseloads using your acquired OT clinical and assessment skills
• Demonstrate evidence of Continuous Professional Development
• Experience of working within the context of a multidisciplinary team liaising with other team members and with external agencies
• Have good time management skills and be able to prioritise and work on own initiative
• Be able to work autonomously in a safe manner in clients own homes
• Willing to supervise OT students or junior members of staff (once you have met the competencies)
• Have excellent communication skills - written & verbal
• Be able to assess care needs, plan and review them enabling service users to maximise opportunities for recovery
• To be aware of Government strategies in relation to Mental Health in Older Adults
• To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of medication used in the treatment of Older Adult Mental Health conditions
• Be computer literate and have knowledge of data protection

Our Values 2025 - 2030

Working with our colleagues, patients and carers we have co‑produced three new values that we aim to embed within our culture here at NELFT.

• We are kind.
• We are respectful.
• We work together with our communities.

These three values help us to strive to provide the best care by the best people.

Starting with NELFT

NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers, and attend a number of drop‑in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period.

High Cost Area Supplement - Outer London

This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (minimum payment of £4,714 and a maximum payment of £5,941 - per annum, pro rata for part time).

Use of AI

Please see attached document regarding acceptable use of AI during the recruitment process.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer to this when completing your application.

Should you have any questions specific to the role, please contact the job contact, Anthonia Owolabi (Operational Lead).

Certificates of Sponsorship

Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points‑based system. When calculating the basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS (High‑Cost Area Supplement) is not included to ensure fairness and consistency within our Trust.

This advert closes on Tuesday 23 Dec 2025