Job summary

Important Sponsorship Information for this post: We are currently unable to offer a certificate of sponsorship for this post.

The postholder will contribute to the provision of occupational therapy services within Bexley, for community mental health service users, working alongside the Occupational Therapist's (OT) within all community mental health teams to enable service users to reach their recovery potential, this role will specifically focus on supporting clients to engage in meaningful activities via group and one to one intervention, also including social inclusion. Promoting access to community resources and building social networks.

Main duties of the job

Under the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist (OT) the postholder will:

• Work as part of the Community Mental Health OT team
• Use technical, creative, sports and psychosocial skills to deliver occupational therapy intervention. This will be service user centred that will include groups and individual sessions to service users who experience mental health difficulties.
• Focus on social inclusion and skills development.
• Work autonomously under the guidance of community Mental Health Occupational therapists to implement treatment for service users with mental health issues impacting upon function. This will entail both group and 1-1 work.
• Provide treatment in accordance with individualised care plans under the supervision of an occupational therapist
• Support service users to build physical activity and community activities into their daily activities and routine, that are designed to support recovery and independence as directed by the occupational therapist.
• Report any safety or security concerns in order to maintain the safety of service users, staff and others.
• Take part in regular supervision and appraisal and participate in mandatory training
• Participate in multi-disciplinary working by exchanging appropriate information with service users, staff, carers. Maintaining adherence to data protection guidance and confidentiality at all times.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as directed

About us

Oxleas offers a wide range of NHS healthcare services to people in community and secure environment settings. Our services include community health care such as district nursing and speech and language therapy, care for people with learning disabilities and mental health care such as psychiatry, nursing and therapies. Our multidisciplinary teams look after people of all ages and we work in close partnership with other parts of the NHS, local councils and the voluntary sector and through our new provider collaboratives. Our 4,300 members of staff work in many different settings including hospitals, clinics, prisons, secure hospitals, children's centres, schools and people's homes.

We have over 125 sites in a variety of locations in the South of England. In London we operate within the Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley Greenwich and into Kent. We manage hospital sites including Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup and Memorial Hospital, Woolwich, as well as theBractonCentre, our medium secure unit for people with mental health needs. We are the largest NHS provider of prison health services providing healthcare to prisons within Devon, Dorset, Bristol, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, Kent and South London. We are proud of the care we provide and our people.

Our purpose is to improve lives by providing the best possible care to our patients and their families. This is strengthened by our new values:

• We're Kind
• We're Fair
• We Listen
• We Care

Details

Date posted

09 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£30,630 to £32,346 a year pa inc

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

277-8087281-CMH-A

Job locations

Erith Centre

Park Crescent

Erith

DA8 3EE

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

• To work effectively as a member of a team in providing groups that are community based therapeutic activities, this post aims to focus on promoting meaningful in the community. To use technical, creative, psychosocial and daily living skills to engage clients in therapeutic activities to promote independence, well-being and social inclusion. Under supervision of a registered OT, facilitate/co-facilitate planned community group work and individual activities.
• Engage in ongoing continuous assessment and treatment and adjust own clinical interventions based on the fluctuating needs of the service users. Contribute to formal OT assessments, under guidance of a registered OT and provide feedback on clients occupational functioning. Assist in the implementation, evaluation and modification of OT and team interventions. Under supervision of a registered OT, instruct and support service users to achieve their goals. Undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.

Communication

• To form professional relationships with service users, who often exhibit challenging behaviour, and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture. To report effectively to the team on service users performance/progress in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure. To communicate appropriately with carers.

Documentation

• To ensure that up to date written and electronic and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional and Trust standards. To open referrals and follow operational policy to managing caseload. To follow the processes for addressing complaints and incidents.

Professional

• To adhere to the COT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and all other relevant policies and procedures.

Leadership, supervision &appraisal

• In line with Trust guidelines, review and reflect on your own practise and performance through regular participation in professional supervision and personal development reviews.

Training staff &students

• To participate in the induction, training and education of students and other staff in this setting.

Servicedevelopment &delivery

• To participate in and contribute to the development of the OT service across the Service.

Professionaldevelopment

• To undertake relevant activities to meet personal development objectives identified with your supervisor. To develop and maintain a CPD portfolio.
• To keep a record of your training and development activities. To participate in and contribute to the MDT Clinical Development Meetings

Clinicalgovernance,quality, standards

• Participate in clinical governance activities i.e. critical appraisal, peer review. To have knowledge of risk assessment and management and incorporate these principles into your practice.

Linemanagement,staff, budgets

• To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance. To be responsible for equipment and supplies and where appropriate the management of petty cash.

Physical & MentalEffort

• Complex workload within a busy department

Research & practice development

• As part of a team, incorporate up-to-date techniques and ideas of positive practise into your programme. Under the supervision of a qualified OT utilise evidence based practice in your everyday work. To participate in OT/team audit and evaluation activities as agreed with your supervisor.

Job description Job responsibilities Clinical To work effectively as a member of a team in providing groups that are community based therapeutic activities, this post aims to focus on promoting meaningful in the community. To use technical, creative, psychosocial and daily living skills to engage clients in therapeutic activities to promote independence, well-being and social inclusion. Under supervision of a registered OT, facilitate/co-facilitate planned community group work and individual activities. Engage in ongoing continuous assessment and treatment and adjust own clinical interventions based on the fluctuating needs of the service users. Contribute to formal OT assessments, under guidance of a registered OT and provide feedback on clients occupational functioning. Assist in the implementation, evaluation and modification of OT and team interventions. Under supervision of a registered OT, instruct and support service users to achieve their goals. Undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service. Communication To form professional relationships with service users, who often exhibit challenging behaviour, and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture. To report effectively to the team on service users performance/progress in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure. To communicate appropriately with carers. Documentation To ensure that up to date written and electronic and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional and Trust standards. To open referrals and follow operational policy to managing caseload. To follow the processes for addressing complaints and incidents. Professional To adhere to the COT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and all other relevant policies and procedures. Leadership, supervision &appraisal In line with Trust guidelines, review and reflect on your own practise and performance through regular participation in professional supervision and personal development reviews. Training staff &students To participate in the induction, training and education of students and other staff in this setting. Servicedevelopment &delivery To participate in and contribute to the development of the OT service across the Service. Professionaldevelopment To undertake relevant activities to meet personal development objectives identified with your supervisor. To develop and maintain a CPD portfolio. To keep a record of your training and development activities. To participate in and contribute to the MDT Clinical Development Meetings Clinicalgovernance,quality, standards Participate in clinical governance activities i.e. critical appraisal, peer review. To have knowledge of risk assessment and management and incorporate these principles into your practice. Linemanagement,staff, budgets To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance. To be responsible for equipment and supplies and where appropriate the management of petty cash. Physical & MentalEffort Complex workload within a busy department Research & practice development As part of a team, incorporate up-to-date techniques and ideas of positive practise into your programme. Under the supervision of a qualified OT utilise evidence based practice in your everyday work. To participate in OT/team audit and evaluation activities as agreed with your supervisor.

Person Specification

Training & Qualification

Essential

• NVQ 3 qualification or equivalent training + experience

Experience

Essential

• At least 2 years experience of working with people in a caring setting/role

Desirable

• Experience of running groups

Skills/Abilities/Knowlege

Essential

• Good Communication skills
• Experience of working in a team
• Expression of interest in working within Occupational Therapy
• Good observation skills
• Group work skills
• Ability to work independently with supervision

Person Specification Training & Qualification Essential NVQ 3 qualification or equivalent training + experience Experience Essential At least 2 years experience of working with people in a caring setting/role Desirable Experience of running groups Skills/Abilities/Knowlege Essential Good Communication skills Experience of working in a team Expression of interest in working within Occupational Therapy Good observation skills Group work skills Ability to work independently with supervision

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship 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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Erith Centre

Park Crescent

Erith

DA8 3EE

United Kingdom

Employer's website

http://oxleas.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Erith Centre

Park Crescent

Erith

DA8 3EE

United Kingdom

Employer's website

http://oxleas.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)