Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA)

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist mental health services provider in the UK seeks Occupational Therapy Assistants to support young people within a multidisciplinary team. The role involves delivering therapeutic activities, designing client-centred programmes, and establishing professional relationships with clients and families. Suitable candidates should be experienced in mental health or youth settings and able to work flexible hours. The Trust promotes diversity and provides comprehensive training opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering therapeutic activities in a group or individual setting.
• Ability to engage young people using creative skills for therapy.
• Flexibility to work various hours including weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Deliver clinical interventions and engage young people in therapy.
• Design and implement therapeutic programmes to promote independence.
• Communicate effectively with team members and external agencies.

Skills

Experience in acute mental health or youth settings

Ability to coordinate therapeutic activities

Willingness to work shifts including weekends

Job description

We are looking to recruit Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA) for both the General Adolescent Unit and the CAMHS PICU. To deliver the high quality of care our young people deserve, we employ a multi‑disciplinary team comprising nurses, doctors, clinical psychologists, systemic family therapists, occupational therapists, social workers and educational staff. OTAs must be able to communicate and engage with young people in a variety of ways, occupying them with meaningful activity at all stages of their illness and working closely with the OT team to devise, plan and facilitate patient‑centred therapeutic groups and one‑to‑one sessions. The focus is on recovery and risk reduction, enabling young people to develop independent living skills in order to return to the community.

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience working in an acute mental health setting or in a youth setting with young people, delivering activities individually or as a group.
• Ability to use highly specialised technical and/or creative skills to coordinate, develop and facilitate a client‑centred programme of therapeutic activities for individuals and groups.
• Willingness and ability to work shift work including weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and bank holidays.

Responsibilities

Clinical

• Work autonomously in the delivery of clinical interventions using technical/creative and specialised skills to engage young people in therapeutic activities.
• Provide a flexible inclusive therapeutic programme covering days, evenings, weekends and school holidays.
• Design, implement, evaluate and modify therapeutic programmes, using specialised interventions to promote and maintain independence and well‑being.
• Facilitate and manage planned group‑work and individual activities, continuously assessing and adjusting interventions based on changing client needs.
• Deliver and report on delegated OT assessments and participate in the Care Programme Approach (CPA).
• Assess risk and manage it effectively within clinical and community settings.

Communication

• Form professional relationships with young people, carers, team members and external agencies.
• Communicate effectively and appropriately with team members on clinical matters and report outcomes of interventions.
• Instruct and guide individuals and groups using a variety of communication techniques.
• Engage and motivate young people from a variety of backgrounds, contributing to MDT decision‑making.

Documentation

• Maintain up‑to‑date written and electronic records and activity data in accordance with professional and Trust standards.
• Correspond with external agencies on clinical matters as agreed with senior staff.
• Write OT assessments and reports according to local standards.
• Produce and implement relevant policies and procedures related to the area of responsibility.

Leadership, Supervision and Appraisal

• Review and reflect on own practice and performance through regular participation in clinical/professional supervision and appraisal.
• Provide day‑to‑day support and guidance to staff to ensure effective delivery of the service.
• Offer leadership and support to other junior staff.

Professional Ethics and Development

• Comply with national and local procedures and guidelines and relevant professional code of conduct.
• Respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of clients.
• Demonstrate ongoing personal development through relevant training and activities identified in supervision and appraisal.

Service Development and Delivery

• Participate in planning, reviewing and development of services within the clinical area.
• Ensure proper preparation, maintenance and care of tools, materials and equipment.
• Stay up‑to‑date with issues within the OT strategy, business plan and local service reviews.

Clinical Governance and Quality Standards

• Participate in clinical governance and quality improvement projects within the service area.

Line Management, Staff and Budgets

• Practice good personal time management, punctuality and reliable attendance.
• Handle petty cash and be responsible for stock control and use of equipment where appropriate.
• Assist the Senior OT in leading the ward group therapeutic programme.

Research and Practice Development

• Keep up‑to‑date with relevant techniques and methods of practice.
• Participate in OT/team audit and evaluation activities and projects as agreed with the supervisor.
• Undertake small audit or research projects where appropriate.

Diversity and Equality

• The Trust is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity.
• We are a Disability Confident Employer and welcome applicants from all sections of the community, including people of all protected characteristics.
• We provide reasonable adjustments for candidates with a disability and are committed to treating people fairly with compassion, respect and dignity.
• SLaM is a Stonewall Diversity Champion. Stonewall is the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans (LGBT) rights charity in Europe.

Application Information

• All applications for this post must be made online.
• Applicants should read and understand the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
• The closing date is a guide only; the vacancy may close earlier if sufficient applications are received. Submit your application as early as possible.
• Successful candidates will consent to transfer of previous NHS service via an Inter‑Authority Transfer (IAT) process.
• This is a smoke‑free Trust.

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust is a leading provider of specialist mental health services across the London boroughs. The Trust has consistently achieved a 'good' rating from the Care Quality Commission. We welcome applications from people with lived experience of mental illness and consider them an asset to the Trust.

We offer flexible working arrangements and support learning and development to harness everyone's potential as change makers.