Senior Occupational Therapist

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Senior Occupational Therapist (Band 6) for secure inpatient services. One full-time and one part-time (22.5 hours) position are available.

You will assess occupational performance, deliver specialist interventions and work within the Ridgeways service team, leading clinical governance and MDT collaboration to enhance care for adults in a secure setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum 18 months post-qualifying OT experience.
• Experience of supporting people with mental health issues, learning disabilities or autism.
• Experience in a multidisciplinary team and complex caseload management.

Responsibilities

• Conduct occupational performance assessments and formulating OT plans.
• Co-produce client-centred goals and evaluate outcomes.
• Provide clinical advice and support with MDT and multi-agency partners.
• Lead on service improvement and contribute to professional development.

Skills

Occupational therapy

Clinical risk assessment

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

OT degree

Professional registration

Postgraduate specialty training

Job description

Go back Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 09 November 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for two competent, confident, and enthusiastic Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist to join our team on a permanent basis, 1 x full time, 1 x part time (22.5 hours).

As a Specialist Occupational Therapist in TEWV you will manage a complex caseload independently, assessing occupational performance and delivering specialist occupational interventions, demonstrating adherence to the Trust Values at all times and operating as a leader in the team, service and organisation.

We are looking for an occupational therapist who can work flexibly to meet service need and has the vision, energy and inspiration to develop creative, imaginative solutions to delivering occupational therapy with adultsin a secure inpatient setting.

Please note that shortlisted candidates will be expected to provide a presentation at interview, Title; 'The role of a Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist within Secure Inpatient Services'

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Main duties of the job

The successful postholder will complete occupational performance assessments and occupational formulations, to support team understanding of a persons' occupational needs and occupational risks.

You will use client-centred approaches to co-produce negotiated occupational goals and evaluate these in line with clinical outcome measures and service objectives.

You will offer clinical advice and support relating to occupational needs with multi-disciplinary professionals and multi-agency partners.

In addition to this, the postholder will contribute to multi-disciplinary team working in line with the service operational policy and Ridgeways Clinical Model.

You will use relevant electronic record systems appropriately,abide by all Trust policies and procedures andbe able to respond flexibly, creatively and safely to challenges that arise within the context of a forensic setting.

You will contribute to own clinical supervision provided by an experienced Occupational Therapist, line management from the Team Manager, and professional leadership from the Occupational Therapy Lead. You will also clinically supervise others.

You will contribute to and lead on service improvement and quality initiatives.

About us

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care - our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.

Job responsibilities

Candidates must have a minimum of 18 months post qualifying experience of

occupational therapy delivery (at the point of application).

The post holder will provide evidence-based occupational therapy assessment and interventions as part of the OT Pathway linked to the secure inpatient service, and offer input to individuals during their admission to Ridgeway, Roseberry Park Hospital.

All team members must be committed to providing the best possible care for the people we work with and involve families/carers.

The ability to engage and communicate with adults with mental health needs, learning disabilities and/or neurodiversity as well as the parents/family/carers and system around them is essential.

Clinical/Professional supervision is provided by the supervising Occupational Therapist as identified by the relevant Lead OT. The post holder will attend OT Learning and Governance Networks to ensure fidelity to core occupational therapy delivery, enhance CPD and contribute to the wider OT service developments.

You must be able to demonstrate experience of delivery of occupational therapy, keenness to continually develop themselves and others, and a particular interest in this field of OT. We will support use of transferrable skills from a range of clinical settings.

There are varied opportunities for training and development, with CPD needs being identified and monitored through appraisal.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Appropriate professional qualification for occupational therapy role
• Current relevant registration with specific regulatory body
• Post graduate training in relevant specialist area

Experience

• Minimum of 18 months post qualifying experience of occupational therapy delivery (at the point of application)
• Experience of supporting people with mental health issues, learning disability or autism
• Experience of working in Multidisciplinary Team
• Experience of managing complex occupational therapy cases

Knowledge

• Understanding of the needs of people who use our services with mental health conditions or learning disabilities.
• Clinical risk assessment and application in practice
• Knowledge of evidence based practice in designated specialist area
• Post graduate training in specialist area if applicable to post (e.g. dysphagia, autism diagnostics)
• Awareness of professional standards and its application to practice

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.

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

£39,959 to £48,117 a year(pro rata), per annum