Specialist Occupational Therapist

Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) seeks a Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist to join the Children and Young People Services in Middlesbrough. The role covers an acute adolescent ward with complex mental health needs, requiring autonomous practice and MDT collaboration.

The post emphasizes holistic care, evidence-based assessments, and participation in staff development and supervision. DBS checks and professional standards are expected.

Qualifications

• Recognised OT degree and HCPC registration are essential.
• Post-registration OT training in interventions relevant to the post.
• Ability to work in an MDT with strong professional accountability.

Responsibilities

• Screen admitted/transferred young people on the acute ward.
• Develop and implement assessment and treatment plans.
• Lead groups and 1:1 sessions for OT clinical observations.
• Document and report clinical contacts and progress.

Skills

Written assessments

Risk assessment

Clinical leadership

Autonomous working

Education

Occupational therapy degree/qualification

HCPC registration

Post-registration OT training

Job description

Hello!

We are so delighted you are considering coming to work with us at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW). We know the power of looking into an organisation, one you might want to work in, or one where you are going to get help, and being able to say, 'I've seen somewhere I can fit in and be myself.' We're on a journey to make the Trust an inclusive employer, representative of the community we serve and we want more of our community to consider applying for jobs with us.

Opportunities for you

Spanning east to west coasts from Northumberland to Cumbria and from the Scottish Borders down to Middlesbrough we've got exciting new opportunities available at every level and in every area.

We offer flexible working, helping work fit around family and caring responsibilities, or training and development needs and there's lots on offer in the way of benefits, such as, lease cars, childcare schemes, staff discounts, season tickets for travel and a cycle to work scheme.

• lease cars
• childcare schemes
• staff discounts
• season tickets for travel
• a cycle to work scheme

All this in a vibrant workplace supported by the following staff networks.

• Cultural diversity staff network
• Disabled staff network
• LGBT+ staff network

We also have a number of staff support groups which are open to any staff to attend. These Include:

• Armed Forces and Veterans Staff Network
• Mind, Health and Wellbeing Community
• Menopause toolkit and cafes and staff carer support group

We offer fantastic personal development opportunities through our Collective Leadership Programme and other Organisational Development initiatives. Whatever you are looking for, you will be joining a supportive, friendly team, offering varied and interesting roles, with opportunities for career progression.

We're always seeking to improve as an organisation. Do you want to be part of that?

Please note that it is a requirement of this Trust that all external applicants pay for their own DBS certification if a DBS check is required for the post. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first monthly pay

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full time, fixed term post as a band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist to join the Occupational Therapy Team within Children and Young People Services, working into a general adolescence unit (acute ward) in Middlesborough.

This service supports young people aged 13-18 years mixed sex ward, young people who are experiencing complex mental health difficulties, trauma and/or neurodevelopmental conditions.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Occupational Therapist who has clinical experience and the ability to work autonomously. The successful candidate would require a strong role identify and sound clinical background knowledge, hold skills on how to balance clinical needs of the service, the team and own expectations. The successful candidate will work alongside the MDT team to deliver specialised assessments and interventions and will be required to adapt to meet a wide range of needs.

We are a responsive, innovative and dynamic Foundation Trust, encouraging Leadership, opportunities for Continuing Professional Development and developing specialist skills and training. Our approach to recruitment is values based and applicants must reflect the Trust's corporate values and behaviors.

Main duties of the job

The job role of the specialist occupational therapist is to screen all young people who are admitted or transferred into the acute ward. The occupational therapist is integral to the young person's care, using assessment, treatment plans to support the young person to discover and recover.

The successful candidate will proactively advocate the needs of young people to other professionals, meeting families with consideration of adaptation and working holistically with the focus of occupational performance in all aspects of the young person's care and treatment.

The successful candidate will facilitate therapeutic groups as well as 1:1 individual sessions in order to support clinical observations to inform formal assessments. The OT will gather information to support occupational formulation with devising interventions plans in collaboration with young person.

The successful candidate will use best-evidence based assessments, write reports and clear documentations of clinical contact with young people. The OT regularly provides feedback through attending clinical meetings with advocating the occupational needs for young people.

The successful candidate will have a supervisor role which includes supervision of AHP support staff, providing clear guidance on therapy directed interventions and supporting staff with CPD. The OT role has opportunity for development of staff through training.

Working for our organisation

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

NHS Employees identified as at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re-Deployment careers hub will receive prior consideration.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Occupational therapist will work clinically within the ward environment alongside the Nursing, medical teams and wider MDT. The role is to raise the profile of OT through training, mentoring and echoing shared values whilst clinically working with young people.

There is an expectation the OT works collaboratively with the team, demonstrates flexibly and holds integrity to the occupational needs of young people.

Please find attached job description for full details.

Advertising date : 27th August 2026

Closing date : 10th September 2026

Person specification

Education and Qualification

Essential criteria

• Recognised Occupational therapy degree/ qualification
• HCPC Registration
• Evidence of post-registration training in OT interventions relevant to the post.

Desirable criteria

• Member of Royal College of Occupational Therapy

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Awareness and understanding of professional accountability, HCPC and RCOT standards and other local and national initiatives
• Proven track record of post registration clinical experience relevant to the post.
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of providing Occupational Therapy services.
• Awareness of equal opportunities legislation and policies
• Experience of collaborative working across agencies and professional disciplines.
• Proven ability to manage a clinical caseload in a flexible manner as required.
• Experience of supervising students / non registered staff

Desirable criteria

• Understanding of difficult to manage/challenging behaviours.
• Undertaking Appraisals
• Coordinating and supporting staff in the day to day provision of clinical services.

Skills and Competencies

Essential criteria

• Proven ability to carry out and provide comprehensive written assessments of individuals with complex needs.
• Risk Assessment and Risk Management / Safety Planning skills.
• Demonstrate an understanding of effective & appropriate treatment options including a range of evidence based clinical approaches as identified in N.I.C.E. Guidance).
• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Evidence of a high level of professional, organisational and leadership skills (self & others).
• Effective interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively with other professionals using a multi-agency approach.
• Ability to work autonomously and within a team.
• Effective time and case management skills
• Good conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to adapt within a changing environment.

Desirable criteria

• Clinical Leadership. Training & Induction of staff.
• Delegation skills.
• Debriefing skills.
• Teaching/Presentation skills.

Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment. Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed.

Please ensure to check out all of the supporting documents linked to this advert, for useful information about working for us, information from our Chief Executive and much more.