Occupational Therapy Recreational Worker

NHS; Radlett; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

A mental health care provider in Radlett is seeking a passionate Occupational Therapy Recreational Worker. The role involves organising recreational activities and supporting adult mental health patients in a caring environment. Applicants should have experience in community settings and possess good communication skills. Offers 27 to 33 days holiday, pension scheme, and various health and wellbeing services. This part-time position supports work with service users during afternoons, evenings, and weekends.

Benefits

5% on top of basic salary high cost allowance

27 days holiday rising to 33 days

NHS Car Lease Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience working in community settings.
• Experience engaging with individuals with mental health issues.
• Ability to communicate sensitively with service users.

Responsibilities

• Organise recreational activities for service users.
• Provide feedback on user well-being to the team.
• Facilitate group work under Occupational Therapist supervision.

Skills

Facilitation in group settings

Good communication skills

Basic problem solving skills

Education

Maths and English GCSE grade C or above

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Occupational Therapy Recreational Worker

The closing date is 12 December 2025

Are you looking for part time work? We have a rewarding role based in our friendly team!

We are looking for a person who is passionate about providing excellent care to the adult acute mental health population, and who want to contribute to the therapeutic input provided for people using our services at our site in Radlett.

The Recreational Worker organises and provides a predominantly ward‑based recreational/leisure service, based on the adult acute mental health wards.

The activities they facilitate occur alongside therapeutic interventions from the Occupational Therapy service, Psychology, Arts therapies and the ward Nursing Team to enhance a service user’s stay in hospital.

The recreational service is provided during afternoons, evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

As this is a part time role, we would be unable to offer sponsorship due to the Home Office salary threshold, for further information: https://www.gov.uk/

Main duties of the job

• You will organise and provide a predominantly ward‑based recreational/leisure service such as gardening groups, craft sessions, music activities, sports/active sessions, facilitating gym sessions, games, etc.
• You will be based on the adult acute mental health wards where service users require support for a range of diagnoses such as psychosis, depression, or anxiety.
• The recreational service is provided during afternoons, evenings and weekends and so the role requires working in the early evenings until 8pm and on the weekends 9‑5.
• The team consists of a Lead and Head Occupational Therapist, Band 6 and 5 Occupational Therapists, Assistant Therapy Practitioners, and a Horticultural Therapist. We work closely with Art and Drama Therapists, and Psychologists.
• The Recreational Worker role offers the opportunity to provide the main link between the wards and the therapy team.

In return, we can offer you:

• 5% on top of basic salary high cost allowance supplement (subject to a minimum and a maximum payment pro rata)
• 27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service) plus bank holidays (pro rata where applicable)
• One of the UK's best pension schemes
• Comprehensive health and wellbeing services
• Special leave for family and personal reasons
• NHS Car Lease Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of ‘Outstanding’ from the Care Quality Commission.

Our family of over 4,000 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Job responsibilities

• You will work effectively as a member of a team in providing social, recreational and leisure activities using a person centred approach.
• You will provide timely feedback to the MDT information regarding the service users wellbeing and motivation to engage in recreational sessions.
• You will use technical / creative skills to engage service users in meaningful and appropriate activities to promote independence, recovery and well‑being.
• Under supervision of an Occupational Therapist, to facilitate and participate in planned group‑work and individual activities.
• Under the supervision of the Occupational Therapist, to contribute to the ongoing assessment and adjustment of clinical interventions based on the fluctuating needs of the service users.

For a more detailed description, please see attached JD and PS.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING

• Facilitation and use of activity in group settings
• Maths and English GCSE grade C or above or equivalent
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office and associated packages
• Willingness to undertake relevant training to the post
• Qualification relevant to the post

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

• Some experience working in paid or voluntary employment or community work relevant to post.
• Experience of working with individuals and groups
• Experience of working with people/caring for people with mental health problems, learning disabilities or special needs.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• Ability to provide and receive sensitive information regarding services users care and social situation.
• Good communication skills written and verbal.
• Ability to use a range of communication skills to overcome barriers to engagement.
• Ability to work effectively in a team.

ANALYTICAL SKILLS

• Basic problem solving and clinical judgement skills
• Ability to respond appropriately to the changing needs of service users- Good Observational skills

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

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Kingfisher Court, Harper Lane, Radlett, WD7 9HQ

£26,240 to £27,928 a yearPer annum, Pro rata (5% HCAS Included)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full‑time,Part‑time

Reference number

367‑A&UC‑9897

Job locations

Kingfisher Court, Harper Lane, Radlett, WD7 9HQ