Occupational Therapy Assistant | West London NHS Trust

West London Mental Health Trust; City Of London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health service provider in the UK is seeking an Occupational Therapy Assistant for an apprenticeship program. This position offers full support for study leave and includes clinical placements for broad experience. Ideal candidates will need to be self-motivated and passionate about occupational therapy. The role involves supporting a qualified occupational therapist and completing a degree-level apprenticeship, leading to HCPC registration.

Qualifications

• Able to manage full-time work alongside studying.
• Health and Care Professions Council registration on qualifying.

Responsibilities

• Provide a client-centred occupational therapy service.
• Support the occupational therapist in intervention plans.
• Complete the occupational therapy degree level 6 apprenticeship.

Skills

Self-motivated

Passionate about occupational therapy

Education

Occupational therapy degree level 6 apprenticeship

Job description

Overview

Are you interested in becoming an occupational therapist? This apprenticeship offers you the opportunity to apply for an occupational therapy apprenticeship. You will work as an occupational therapy assistant in the Lakeside Mental Health Occupational Therapy team and be a core part of the occupational therapy offering to clients. You will be fully supported with study leave and off-the-job training to meet the requirements of the occupational therapy apprenticeship. The course will include clinical placements in other settings to provide a broad range of experience. You will need to be self-motivated and able to manage working full time alongside studying for a degree-level qualification. You should also be passionate about occupational therapy.

Responsibilities

1. To work under the overall supervision of a qualified occupational therapist to provide a client-centred occupational therapy service to a defined caseload of service users with complex needs.
2. To support the occupational therapist in the implementation of intervention plans aimed at helping clients to maintain and regain independence in functional abilities and promoting clients’ safety through participation in everyday occupation.
3. To complete the occupational therapy degree level 6 apprenticeship and gain full registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) on qualifying.

Application and Qualifications

• Complete the occupational therapy degree level 6 apprenticeship and gain HCPC registration on qualifying.
• Be self-motivated and able to manage the competing demands of working full time alongside studying for a degree-level qualification.
• Be passionate about occupational therapy.
• Application questions to consider:
  • What has led you to Occupational Therapy?
  • What skills do you have that are relevant to Occupational Therapy?
  • What is your preferred post and why?

Key relationships

Internal: Head Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapy Team, Multi-disciplinary Clinical Team (MDT), Supervisor. External: Service Users, Carers, Statutory and Voluntary Agencies and Higher Education Institute (HEI).

About the Trust

West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation. Our high secure services care for patients from the South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m. The Trust is rated as “Good” overall by the Care Quality Commission, with Forensic services rated as “Outstanding”.

Additional information

The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.

This advert closes on Tuesday 30 Sep 2025.