Specialist Occupational Therapist

Devon Partnership Nhs Trust; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Devon Partnership NHS Trust is seeking an experienced Occupational Therapist to join the Learning Disability Service across Cluster Two. The role involves specialist assessment within MDTs, managing a complex caseload and contributing to evidence-based care pathways.

You will support development plans and supervise junior staff while promoting quality of life for adults with learning disabilities. The post offers a permanent, full-time (flexible) working pattern with opportunities for

Qualifications

• Experience of working with people with communication difficulties.
• Experience managing a diverse workload including those with distress and complex disabilities.
• Experience in a multi-disciplinary team including wider support networks of service users.

Responsibilities

• Specialist assessment and intervention to promote engagement in meaningful occupations.
• Provide management and clinical supervision to junior OT staff and students.
• Contribute to leadership, development and research within the Occupational Therapy service.
• Support care planning and risk management across the MDT.

Skills

Team collaboration

Risk assessment

Communication skills

Education

Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy

HCPC registration

Job description

Job summary

This post were developed following a recent Service restructure, where we focused on developing opportunities for career progression. The post holders will work across Cluster Two which is the Mid and North multi-disciplinary teams (MDT).
The Learning Disability Service is comprised of MDTs based across Devon offering a dynamic and friendly approach across community settings, supporting adults with a learning disability and complex needs (dual diagnosis / complex distressed behaviour) who are unable to access mainstream services.
Occupational Therapy is a large and well-respected profession within the Service. We have dedicated professional leadership, well established clinical supervision and have co-developed a 3-year Development Plan alongside our peers in the wider Trust with our Head of Profession.
Our work is integral to the Learning Disability Service Specialist Working Groups and evidence-based care pathways including Behaviours of Concern, Complex Health Needs, Dementia, Trauma Informed (including mental health) and Autism. Occupational Therapy contribute to MDT formulation and planning of Positive Behaviour Support Plans, Reducing Restrictive Practice, Stopping Over Medication of People with a Learning Disability, memory clinics and much more. We pro-actively work with the MDT contributing to care planning and risk management, and have a strong role in supporting quality of life outcomes and development of capable environments for adults with a learning disability.

Main duties of the job

Our core business as Occupational Therapists is specialist assessment and intervention and/or consultation and advice to promote engagement in meaningful occupations to maximise health and wellbeing. We enable people to be an active member of their home and local community, supporting reasonable adjustments to access mainstream services.
The post holder will have experience of managing a specialist caseload of adults with complex needs, and will have experience in utilising specialist evidence-based assessment and outcome measurement, and an interest in sensory processing assessment and intervention. We welcome applicants who will bring transferable skills and we support continuing professional development.
The post holder will provide management and clinical support to junior Occupational Therapy staff based within the team alongside Occupational Therapy students and apprentices. Therapists are encouraged to contribute to leadership, development and research in the Occupational Therapy service and in development of the clinical model within the Learning Disability Service.
Due to the large geographical area of work suitable access to transport will be required.

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Details

Date posted: 30 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
Closing date: 15 November 2026

Essential Experience

• Experience of working with people with communication difficulties
• Experience in managing a diverse workload including those exhibiting distress and with complex disabilities
• Previous experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team including those within the wider support network of service users

Essential Other

• Ability to travel throughout the geographical area covered by the Trust to meet the demands of the role

Essential Qualifications

• Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy
• Valid state registration with the Health and Care Professions Council

Essential Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrate understanding of occupational performance and the role of the OT within a multidisciplinary team
• Understanding of government law and policy with regard to services for people with learning disabilities including guidance regarding people with complex distressed behaviour (Mental Health Act; DOLS; Safeguarding etc.)
• Highly developed risk assessment knowledge / skills

Contact

For questions about the job, contact: Advanced Specialist Occupational Therapist, Claire Goulden, [e-mail], 07815523299
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. Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.