Occupational Therapy Team Manager

Islington Council; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

31 days annual leave (increases to 36)

Flexible working arrangements

London Living Wage

Local government pension scheme

Cycle to Work scheme

Job summary

Islington Council is seeking an experienced Occupational Therapy Team Manager to lead our Adult Social Care OT service. You will provide operational leadership to a team of occupational therapists and assistants, ensuring high-quality, strengths-based support for residents across the borough.

You will oversee performance, quality assurance, workforce development, safeguarding and budget management while driving service improvement and collaborating with health, housing and voluntary sector

Qualifications

• Be a HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist with a recognised OT qualification.
• Have significant experience leading Occupational Therapy teams in Adult Social Care.
• Demonstrate strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to inspire, motivate and develop others.
• Have experience managing change and delivering services in a fast-paced environment.
• Possess excellent knowledge of the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Have experience working collaboratively with health partners, the NHS, housing services and community organisations.
• Be committed to strengths-based practice, prevention and maximising independence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants to deliver high-quality, strengths-based support.
• Oversee performance, quality assurance, workforce development, safeguarding and budget management.
• Develop innovative approaches by working with health, housing and voluntary sector partners to maximise independence and reduce reliance on long-term support.
• Inspire staff and drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced statutory service.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Performance management

Change management

Safeguarding

NHS collaboration

Job description

About The Role

Lead, Inspire and Transform

Are you an experienced Occupational Therapist with a passion for leadership and service improvement? Do you have the management skills to inspire teams, drive performance and deliver outstanding outcomes for residents?

At Islington Council, we are ambitious about creating a fairer borough where residents can live healthy, independent and fulfilling lives. We are looking for an exceptional Occupational Therapy Team Manager to lead our Occupational Therapy service and play a key role in shaping the future of Adult Social Care.

About the Role

As Occupational Therapy Team Manager, you will provide operational leadership to a team of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants, ensuring high-quality, strengths-based support for residents across the borough. You will oversee performance, quality assurance, workforce development, safeguarding, service improvement and budget management while ensuring the team delivers excellent outcomes.

This is a significant leadership opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and has the confidence to manage complexity, inspire staff and drive continuous improvement. You will work closely with colleagues across Adult Social Care, Health, Housing and the voluntary sector to develop innovative approaches that maximise independence and reduce reliance on long-term support.

What We're Looking For

We are seeking a strong people manager who can:

• Lead and motivate teams to deliver excellent resident outcomes.

• Manage performance, quality and service delivery to a consistently high standard.

• Build a positive, accountable and supportive team culture.

• Drive change and continuous improvement within a busy statutory service.

• Develop staff, nurture talent and promote professional excellence.

• Make sound operational decisions while maintaining strategic oversight.

• Work effectively with partners across health, housing and the wider community.

Essential Requirements

You will:

• Be a HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist with a recognised OT qualification.

• Have significant experience leading Occupational Therapy teams in Adult Social Care.

• Demonstrate strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to inspire, motivate and develop others.

• Have experience managing change and delivering services in a fast-paced environment.

• Possess excellent knowledge of the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and safeguarding responsibilities.

• Have experience working collaboratively with health partners, the NHS, housing services and community organisations.

• Be committed to strengths-based practice, prevention and maximising independence.

Why Join Islington?

At Islington, our values are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to being:

• Collaborative

• Ambitious

• Resourceful

• Empowering

We invest in our people, promote flexible and agile working, and provide opportunities to develop and progress your career within a forward-thinking Adult Social Care service.

Be Part of Something Bigger

This is more than a management role. It's an opportunity to shape services, influence practice, develop future leaders and make a meaningful difference to the lives of Islington residents.

If you are a confident Occupational Therapy leader with strong management skills and a passion for excellence, we'd love to hear from you.

Be Islington. Be ambitious. Be the difference.

For further information or for an informal conversation about the post, please contact:

Name and Job Title: Jolaade Anjorin, Assistant Director Localities

Email:[e-mail]

Note to Recruitment Agencies:

We kindly ask that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy. We are managing the recruitment process internally and will reach out directly should we require external support. Thank you for your understanding.

Working for the team, service and our organisation

Islington is a place rich with diversity and culture. As a council our sense of purpose couldn't be clearer: we serve. It's in the logo. We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Together we can change the future.

We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive.

To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out 'CARE', which is what we think public service is all about.

Our offer to you

We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Our staff benefits include:

• Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service
• A range of flexible working arrangements to maintain a healthy work-life balance, as well as a 35-hour working week
• Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential
• Competitive pay and a commitment to paying all staff the London Living Wage at minimum
• Excellent local government pension scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
• Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more!

Please note:

Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Islington Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

Workforce Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable workforce, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our workforce strategy places equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do, reaffirming our commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel they belong and can safely express their thoughts, ideas, and challenges, without fear of judgement or discrimination.

We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to any unlawful discrimination, harassment, or victimisation on the grounds of any protected characteristics under the 2010 Equality Act, including but not limited to race, disability, sexual orientation, sex, religion and belief, age, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity. Any incidents of discrimination will be promptly investigated and addressed in line with our HR policies to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all colleagues.

We use data to identify and address disparities, ensuring that our policies and practices are transparent and impactful in promoting a diverse representation of backgrounds and perspectives at all levels of the organisation. We look at inequality through an intersectional lens, recognising that different aspects of someone's identity can combine to create unique experiences of discrimination and disadvantage.

We know that advancing diversity and inclusion is a continuous journey, and we must listen to our colleagues and learn where we can further improve. We work closely with our Colleague Forums and Trade Unions, supported by active allies from our Corporate Management Team, to monitor and evaluate our practices, identify barriers, and empower colleagues to promote equality and inclusion in the workplace.

Every one of us has a role to play in making Islington Council a truly inclusive workplace. By living out our CARE (collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering) values every day and embedding the principles of equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work, we can all actively contribute to empowering people and creating a more equal Islington.

Pre‑Employment Checks

Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre‑employment checks. These may include:

• Proof of address
• Evidence of any name changes (if applicable)
• Right to work in the UK
• Overseas criminal record check (if applicable)
• Satisfactory references
• Occupational Health clearance
• Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations
• DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable)

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Disability Confident Scheme

Islington Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and we are committed to providing support to applicants who request reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process and throughout their career with us.