Occupational Therapy Assistant

Cheswold Park Hospital; Dewsbury; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust is recruiting an Occupational Therapy Assistant to work within inpatient mental health services. You will join a supportive OT team, helping deliver therapeutic interventions and activities to service users on the recovery journey.

The role involves collaborating with nurses, medics and psychologists to provide high‑quality, person‑centred care. A commitment to staff wellbeing and learning is emphasised, with access to professional development and

Qualifications

• GCSE grades 1-9 or equivalent required.
• Level 2 health care qualification or equivalent; Care Certificate desirable.
• Demonstrated compassionate care and ability to work with multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide delegated care tasks under supervision to support recovery and rehabilitation.
• Deliver safe, compassionate, person-centred care aligned with care plans.
• Communicate effectively with service users, families and colleagues.
• Support in running therapeutic activities and group sessions as directed by registered staff.
• Contribute to risk assessments and safety planning in daily care.
• Attend mandatory training and adhere to Trust policies and guidelines.

Skills

Empathy

Communication skills

Teamwork

IT/keyboard skills

Education

GCSE grades 1-9

Level 2 Health Care Qualification

Care Certificate

Job description

Job Summary

Hi, we are Claire and Jo and we are really pleased you are looking at this opportunity. We have worked in this Trust for many years, and what keeps us here is the people - the staff and the individuals we support.

The OT teams are a supportive group who genuinely look out for one another. If you are passionate about making a real difference, and want to feel part of something meaningful, this could be the right service for you.

We are looking for caring, confident and competent Occupational Therapy Assistants who will be responsible for providing therapeutic interventions and activity for individuals currently in receipt of inpatient mental health care. In this role, you will work alongside a dedicated Occupational Therapy team to support service users in their recovery journey. You will also work alongside a wider multidisciplinary team, including nursing staff, medics, physiotherapists and psychologists.

You will be supported to develop your clinical and professional competencies within a stimulating learning environment. The Trust is committed to staff health and wellbeing, and you will be encouraged to learn, develop and grow.

The organisation has a well‑established professional leadership structure, with access to strong professional networks and a wide range of profession specific training and career progression opportunities.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up‑to‑date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.

About Us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high‑quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non‑clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

Why Join Us

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Pay and Working Conditions

Date posted: 19 August 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 3

Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 a year

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time, Flexible working

Reference number: C9378-CK2537

Job locations:

• The Priestley Unit, Dewsbury and District Hospital, Halifax Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, WF13 4HS, United Kingdom
• The Dales, Calderdale Royal Hospital, Huddersfield Road, HALIFAX, West Yorkshire, HX3 0PW, United Kingdom
• Oakwell Centre, Kendray Hospital, Doncaster Road, Barnsley, S70 3RD, United Kingdom

Job Description

The post holder will:

• Under the supervision/direction of registered health care professionals/associate practitioner, perform delegated interventions and care tasks, for which they have received training, seeking support as and when necessary.
• As part of a healthcare team, provide the highest standards of safe and compassionate planned care to people that maximises their recovery and rehabilitation potential.
• Demonstrating sensitivity, empathy and active listening skills, maintain positive and appropriate relationships with people at all times.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the care and treatment programmes required for a designated group of service users.
• To follow a care plan, advise and guide service users, family and carers in following prescribed interventions and make the appropriate adjustments within own competence and skill set and be able to communicate any changes to service users and registered health care professionals.
• Be required to concentrate for periods of time, depending upon the care intervention/care plan. This may include areas of work requiring physical effort, with regard to risk, following the risk assessment and health & safety.
• Exercise a degree of independence, initiative and judgement and consider different approaches when delivering tasks. Assess situations, eg following falls prevention guidance identify and resolve potential problems, within own competence.
• Ensure the care experienced is positive and service user safety is maintained. Treat everyone eg, service users, their relatives, visitors, colleagues etc, with respect, dignity, courtesy and in accordance with the Trusts Values.
• Feedback their observations to the registered professional/ clinical team to contribute to the care/treatment planning process. Understand the principles underlying care planning eg, enabling the service user to reach an optimum level of functioning/ independence/recovery.
• Implement treatment/care within well‑established policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines and established clinical care plans within own competence and skill set.
• Assisting in the organising and participating in a range of therapeutic groups and activities as delegated by the registered practitioner working within own competence and skill set.
• Apply basic knowledge of longer‑term health conditions, within the remit of care planning, providing advice, support and feedback to a registered professional.
• Undertake the physical aspects of care eg, moving and handling of service users. Use items of equipment in delivering care eg, hoists, wheelchairs etc. (as appropriate to the role), ensuring appropriate instruction on their use has been received.
• Assist in dealing with verbal/physical aggression using de‑escalation techniques, this may include the need for RRPI techniques (as appropriate to the ward or community based role and in line with Trust policy and training).
• Attend to the service users personal care needs as and when required.
• Participate in a flexible rostering arrangement providing /7 day care (as appropriate to the role/service).

For Full Job Description, Please See Attached Supporting Documents.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. Over reliance on AI‑generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged and we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up‑to‑date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.

At the time of advertising, this role does not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. For this reason, we are unable to sponsor anyone for a skilled worker visa for this role.

We are happy to accept applications from candidates who can prove their right to work in the UK or via alternative visa routes. Such applications will be considered alongside all other applications.

Person Specification

Experience

• In providing personal care and related procedures for those with health/social needs.
• In working in a caring environment at a band 2 or equivalent level of competence.
• In dealing with the public.
• In working as an effective team member.
• Of demonstrating own duties.
• Ability to work effectively, professionally and under own initiative or as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• In demonstrating initiative, decision‑making and prioritisation skills.
• Evidence of a commitment to user/carer involvement.

Physical Attributes

• A satisfactory sickness record over previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
• Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary).

Qualifications

• GCSE grades 1‑9 (certificate check) OR functional skills level 1 or equivalent (measured through BKSB).
• Level 2 regulated health care qualification or equivalent qualification (certificate check) OR equivalent work experience (references/previous experience/application form).
• Ability to demonstrate competencies at level 3 (recruitment assessment centre).
• Care Certificate or required to achieve within 12 weeks of commencement (on‑job training).

Desirable

• Apprenticeship level 3 or equivalent e.g., RQF(regulated Qualification Framework)NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent.
• Experience of the speciality area.
• Willingness to undertake further study.

Training

• Must be willing/able to undertake all appropriate Trust mandatory training requirements, and subsequent refresher training relevant to the area.
• Must be willing/able to undergo job development and training.
• Demonstrate excellent knowledge of service user safety, e.g., Prevention & management of violence & aggression, moving and handling, etc.

Personal Attributes

• Responsive attitude and approach.
• Dress appropriately for the environment.
• A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).

Special Knowledge & Skills

• As appropriate to the role:
• Demonstrates excellent customer care skills.
• Enthusiastic, able to work flexibly on a 24hr shift pattern to meet the needs of service users.
• Demonstrates safe decision‑making skills commensurate with role.
• Excellent communicator.
• Good IT/keyboard skills.
• Diversity/Cultural understanding.
• Knows responsibilities regarding confidentiality and trust.
• Resilience to pressure and exposure to emotional, distressing or hazardous situations e.g., verbal aggression, body fluids, etc.
• Non‑judgemental, empathetic manner.
• Demonstrates Trust Values.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Good administration and organisational skills.
• Able to use observation skills to identify potential services user, environmental risks etc. and act appropriately.
• Able to fulfil the requirements of the value‑based induction.

Desirable

• Language skills other than English.
• Experience of supervising/inducting others.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Employer details

• Employer name: South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
• Address: The Priestley Unit, Dewsbury and District Hospital, Halifax Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, WF13 4HS, United Kingdom
• Employer's website: https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)