Senior Occupational Therapist

Bristol City Council; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Local Government Pension scheme

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Bristol City Council is seeking a Senior Occupational Therapist to join the Inner City and East Locality Team in Bristol. You will lead on complex assessments, promote early intervention and prevention, and work to maximise independence, safety and wellbeing for adults in need.

The role combines expert clinical practice with leadership, supervising OT staff and coordinating with social care colleagues and external partners. Hybrid working and a generous leave and pension scheme are offered.

Qualifications

• Qualified Senior Occupational Therapist with HCPC registration.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams in social care.
• Evidence of high-quality care Act and assessments.

Responsibilities

• Lead on complex assessments and risk management for adults.
• Supervise Occupational Therapists, Practitioners and assistants.
• Ensure timely, strengths-based, outcome-focused responses to maximise independence.
• Collaborate with social care and health partners across the city.
• Support professional development and contribute to service improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical supervision

Triage and assessment

Moving and handling

Risk assessment

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Registered Occupational Therapist (HCPC)

Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy

Tools

DBS check

Job description

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Job reference VAC008884 Date posted 25/09/2026 Application closing date 11/10/2026 Location Robinson House Hockeys Lane Fishponds Bristol BS16 3HL Salary BG13: £48,738 - £51,928 Package Paid expensesPension schemeFlexi time Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Job category/type Social Care Attachments Person Specification.pdf Job Description.pdf

This is an exciting opportunity for a SeniorOccupational Therapistto be part of ourInner CityandEastLocality Team.The team isa multi-disciplinary service offering the people of Bristol a strengths-based approach to their supportneeds.

A senior Occupational Therapistinthe service, you will be an important part of the leadership team, working alongside the Seniorpractitionersand supporting the Team Managers.

You will play a critical role within a fast paced, multidisciplinary service, providingtimely, strengths based clinicalexpertisefor adults seeking support. You will lead on complex assessments, promote early intervention and prevention, and ensure that individuals receive proportionate, outcome focused responses that maximise independence, safety, and wellbeing.

Professional Leadership

You will supervise, and supportOccupational Therapist, Social Care Practitioners, and Occupational Therapy assistants, within theservice.

You will work within the statutory structure of the Care Act 2014 and other relevant legislation, supporting practitioners to undertakehigh qualityCare Act Assessments, Carer assessments, S42 Enquiryplanning, Mental Capacity Assessments and Best Interest Assessments.

Also you will work closely with internal and external agencies and departments across all Adult Social Care.

You will have a strong passion for Equity and Inclusion valuing peoples individuality and giving them the freedom to be themselves and express life as they wish it to be.

This role blends expertOccupational therapypractice with leadership responsibilities, supporting the professional development of others, modelling best practice, and contributing to service improvement.

ClinicalOccupational therapyPractice

You will offer professional triage and screening to support effectivedecision‑making.Recommend and implementevidence‑basedinterventions that reduce risk, enable independence, and prevent escalation of need.Lead on complexMoving and handling, posturalassessmentsandrisk management plans.

You will work collaboratively with service users, carers, and families to developco‑producedsupport plans.

Multi ‑ Disciplinary Working

• Work closely with social workers, occupational therapists, unregistered practitioners, and partner organisations to deliver integrated, holistic support.
• Provide expertOccupational therapyinput into multidisciplinary decision‑making forums, panels, and case discussions.
• Promote an understanding ofOccupational therapyas a specialism within theservice andworking towards greater integrated practice.
• Build strong relationships with external partners including health services, housing, and voluntary sector organisations within the community.
• Manage our duty desk on a rotational basis – triaging referrals to enable a proportionate response based on risk, urgency and need.

Travel across the City either from home or fromRobinson House,HockeysLane, Fishpondswhere the service is based. Currently, working from home ispermittedbut you would be expected to work from the office a minimum of 2 days per week.

Please note that this role is also subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.

Why Bristol City Council?

At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation. For the majority of our roles hybrid working arrangements are available, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice - mixing both home and office working.

Join us and you’ll receive an excellent rewards package including flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

To be shortlisted for interview you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.

We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.

For further information, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification or alternatively, please contact Amanda Jay 07464989847.

Bristol City Council strives to have a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, we are therefore committed to ensuring diversity in our hiring process. We welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit.

Thepersonal information section (including your name) you’ll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.