Occupational Therapists

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust; Leyland; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Leyland seeks an Occupational Therapist for the Community Forensic Learning Disability Service. This role requires managing a caseload, using evidence-based approaches to enhance patient care, and providing supervision to junior staff. The ideal candidate holds an OT qualification and HCPC registration and is committed to promoting independence and recovery for individuals with complex needs.

Benefits

Flexible working requests considered

Support for DBS registration

Qualifications

• Current HCPC registration is essential.
• Relevant professional OT qualification is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of individuals with learning disabilities and forensic needs.
• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate occupational therapy interventions.
• Provide leadership and supervision to junior staff.

Skills

Effective leadership qualities

Ability to communicate in a variety of settings

Ability to prioritise and work to deadlines

Flexible approach/creative thinking

Education

Relevant professional OT qualification

Current HCPC registration

Job description

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust celebrates diversity and promotes equal opportunities; we are committed to challenging and eliminating racism and other forms of discrimination and advancing and promoting equality of opportunity in the provision of services and creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We believe that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
We take positive action to support disadvantaged groups and also particularly encourage applications from ethnically diverse, disabled and LGBTQIA+ people that are under-represented in our workforce. Furthermore we welcome applications from reservists and ex-armed forces personnel as we recognise the benefits of the values, skills, training and experience that they bring to their work with us. We encourage all applicants to share their equality information with us.

About the Service

The Community Forensic Learning Disability Service is a supportive, multidisciplinary team dedicated to improving the lives of people with learning disabilities who have complex needs associated with offending behaviour. Our service aims to:

• Ensure better access to relevant treatment closer to home & within the community.
• Reduce contact between people with learning disabilities and the criminal justice system.
• Minimise hospital admissions, supporting more individuals to live safely in the community.
• Enhance community capacity to provide effective, person‑centred support for people with learning disabilities and forensic risks.

Job Title

Occupational Therapist – Community Forensic Learning Disability Service

Responsibilities

• The post holder will be expected to effectively manage a caseload of individuals with learning disabilities and associated forensic needs, working as an autonomous practitioner.
• Using evidence‑based and person‑centred approaches, they will assess, plan, implement, and evaluate occupational therapy interventions that promote engagement, independence, and recovery.
• The post holder will provide leadership and supervision to junior staff and students as appropriate.
• They will also contribute to the planning, development, and evaluation of occupational therapy services within the service taking responsibility for defined projects that enhance quality and outcomes for service users.
• The role requires a holistic and trauma‑informed approach to the assessment and treatment of individuals, delivering high‑quality, person‑centred care, which may present with complex forensic challenges.
• The post holder will promote safe and effective community living, supporting individuals to reduce offending behaviours.
• The post holder will actively contribute to the development of the occupational therapy profession within the Community Forensic Learning Disability service.
• The role involves travel across a large geographical area; therefore, the ability to travel independently is essential. A valid UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are required unless reasonable adjustments can be made under the Equality Act 2010.
• Where required, to be involved in the multidisciplinary team duty system and undertake duty assessments as necessary.
• Ensure intervention is provided in a range of settings suitable to meet the needs of clients.
• Provide information, education and support for family members, carers and other relevant professionals.
• Participate and promote positive intra‑agency working.
• Participate in case load supervision to monitor the standards of service user care and ensure record keeping is in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.
• Participate in regular clinical supervision with Occupational Therapy Team Lead, as per Trust policy.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of integrated care pathways, including appropriate service user assessments/referrals and models of care.
• Contribute to client related developments and therapeutic interventions carried out by the whole team.
• Compile and maintain effective client records and record outcome measures in conjunction with clients and in accordance with Professional and Trust policies, procedures and standards.
• Participate in the induction, training or education of a variety of staff, students or volunteers attached to the team/service.

Essential Qualifications

• Current HCPC registration
• Relevant professional OT qualification

Desirable Criteria

• Fieldwork Educator certificate
• Post graduate accredited study e.g. PSI, CBT, MSc in relevant health studies
• Previous experience in relevant health settings
• Supervision of staff
• Effective team working within a multi‑agency framework
• Experience of service development
• Demonstrate experience of problem solving approaches
• Audit and research practices relevant to clinical area
• Evidence based and experience of reflective practice
• Relevant national policies and guidance
• Up to date clinical knowledge relevant to the care environment
• Awareness of own strengths and limitations
• Post graduate clinical experience within mental health services
• Wider range of statutory and non‑statutory services
• Risk management training
• Continuous Improvement
• Accountability
• Respect
• Enthusiasm
• Support
• High professional standards
• Responsive to service users
• Engaging leadership style
• Strong customer service belief
• Transparency and honesty
• Discreet
• Change oriented
• Ability to utilise assessment skills and tools effectively
• Ability to communicate in a variety of settings
• Ability to formulate relevant reports
• Delegation and coordination
• Ability to prioritise and work to deadlines
• Mentorship skills
• Accurate Record keeping
• Flexible approach/ creative thinking
• Ability to move and handle clients
• IT skills
• Effective leadership qualities
• Presentation skills
• Ability to network and influence decision making
• Team Building skills

Additional Information

• As a Disability Confident Employer, we offer a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants who consider themselves to be disabled who meet the minimum (essential) criteria for the role in the person specification.
• Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
• Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.
• We reserve the right to close any vacancies from further applications when we have received a minimum number of applications from which to make a shortlist. Please ensure you apply without delay if you wish to be considered for this role.
• Applicants requiring an enhanced DBS for their role and working in Children & Young People services must subscribe to the DBS Update Service. The Trust will assist with registration and fees where appropriate.
• The use of Artificial Intelligence on applications is monitored. If you choose to use this, you must declare it on your application form.
• New entrants to the NHS will commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.