Occupational Therapy Assistant

NHS; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A community health trust is seeking an Occupational Therapy Assistant to support mental health rehabilitation in Nottingham. The role involves working alongside Occupational Therapists to deliver interventions aimed at developing practical and emotional skills for clients. Applicants should have a background in mental health and relevant qualifications. The position offers a salary of £24,937 to £26,598 per year, depending on experience.

Benefits

Employee-led staff networks

Occupational health services

Counselling services

Qualifications

• Experience of working in community or acute mental health.
• Recovery focused practice.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the needs of people with mental health problems.

Responsibilities

• Support assessments and psychological interventions.
• Deliver OT functional interventions under supervision.
• Develop support packages with Occupational Therapists.

Skills

Experience of working in mental health

Time management

Client centered approach

Motivating others

Education

GCSE/GCE or equivalent in English

NVQ, City & Guilds or equivalent qualification in Mental Health

Job description

Go back Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Occupational Therapy Assistant

The closing date is 12 October 2025

The Community Rehabilitation Team work alongside existing community teams to address a persons identified rehabilitation needs through interventions delivered by a range of professionals. The psychologically informed service aims to promote both practical and emotional skills development, social inclusion and meaningful days using a goal based approach to aid recovery. The post holder will work alongside Occupational therapists in the team to deliver specific OT interventions as required. The team covers both Nottingham City and County geographies.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £26.40 (standard) or £54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.

You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies.

Main duties of the job

The main duties include supporting assessments and formulations, supporting psychological interventions and delivering OT functional interventions under the supervision of registered OTs in the community and in patients homes in whatever setting that may be.

About us

#TeamNottsHC comprises over 11,000 dedicated colleagues who #MakeADifference every day. We deliver intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic, and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire. Our care is provided from over 200 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings, and secure environments, including prisons.

We are one of the largest mental health and community Trusts in the East Midlands and one of Nottinghamshire's biggest employers. We also host national and regional services, such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.

We offer a variety of employee-led staff networks, including Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) groups, the Green Champions network, the Freedom to Speak Up network, the Health and Wellbeing Champions network, and the Menopause Champions network. These networks play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.

The health and wellbeing of colleagues is a top priority. We invest significantly in this through our in-house occupational health and staff counselling services, supported by a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team.

The Trust is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, with a specialised Energy and Environmental team working to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, enhance our environmental performance, and achieve our net-zero commitment.

Job responsibilities

• To work closely with the Occupational Therapists in the team and developing required support packages.
• Carry out a range of individual/group work under supervision of qualified Occupational Therapist.
• To follow the OT plan supporting service users developing skills in activities of daily living, meaningful occupation and to become integrated into a range of community resources/facilities, ensuring service users experience a smooth transition into community opportunities.
• To work in partnership with others, promoting the work of the service and providing positive representation.
• Service users to receive an equitable appropriate and high quality service.

Please note that this post does not meet the pay or skill level required for a Skilled worker visa.

Successful applicants with no prior NHS experience would normally be placed at the bottom of the band in line with Agenda for Change. This salary / skill level is below the minimum required for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker / Health & Care visa. In these circumstances the Trust would not, therefore, be able to sponsor for a Skilled Worker / Health & Care visa.

Applicants requiring a Skilled Worker Visa can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship against the relevant criteria here https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of working in mental health.
• Experience of working in the community or acute mental health
• Recovery focused practice

Contractual Requirements

• A driving license is required for this post, however reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled individuals in line with the equality act 2010

Qualifications

• GCSE/GCE or equivalent in English
• NVQ, City & Guilds or equivalent qualification in Mental Health

Knowledge and Skills

• Awareness of a range of health conditions and interventions
• Demonstrate an understanding of the needs of people with mental health problems.
• Awareness of effective risk management skills
• Understanding of the need for confidentiality
• Skilled in motivating others
• Time management and flexible, ability to work across multiple areas.
• Client centered/ non- judgmental.
• Able to work independently, knows own limits.
• Shows respect, recognising peoples' differences.

Values and Behaviours

• All colleagues are expected to demonstrate that they act in line with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Values: Trust Honesty Respect Compassion Teamwork
• All colleagues are expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and how it applies to their role. The Trust's expectations are highlighted within our EDI Policy, and associated EDI and Human Rights legislation.

Physical requirements

• Has the physical ability to perform the full range of duties.
• Able to undertake training in the management of violence reduction

Training

• Willingness to undertake clinical practice, education, and training to enhance service delivery.
• Relevant training to post

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 name

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

£24,937 to £26,598 a yearPer annum (pro rota for part time)