Livewell Southwest

Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 19 April 2026

Job summary

22.5 hours per week.

We are delighted to invite a motivated & compassionate Registered Occupational Therapist to join our highly successful & supportive team at Syrena House.We are dedicated to delivering high-quality, person-centred care to individuals with severe, enduring & complex mental health needs, e.g. schizophrenia, bi-polar & often with co-morbid complexities

In 2026 we will be moving to the Mount Gould site & will be increasing our beds to incorporate 6 additional step down beds

Syrena House is currently a 9-bedded male inpatient recovery unit, where our core focus is to empower patients on their journey toward greater independence & to prepare them for a fulfilling life within the community

We are looking for someone with a genuine passion for recovery-focused practice, who is committed to helping people achieve their optimum level of functioning. You will work collaboratively with our multidisciplinary team, utilise therapeutic resources within the inpatient setting & engage proactively with community services to support seamless transitions in care.

Main duties of the job

The post holder provides high-quality, patient-centred Occupational Therapy care within a mental health setting . Responsibilities include assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care using the Personalised Care Framework (PCF).

Please see the attached Band 5 Occupational Therapist job description for a full list of duties and other responsibilities.

This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route; please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility.

Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service

About us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values,kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.

We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.

We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.

Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.

Details

Date posted

15 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043 a year pa, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

B9832-2026-PTA-1574

Job locations

Livewell South West

Mount Gould Road

Plymouth

PL4 7QD


Syrena House

284 Dean Cross Road

plymouth

Devon

pl9 7AZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

To work as a member of the clinical team providing a high standard of Occupational Therapy interventions, assessments, and evaluation.

To assist the team lead and Specialist therapists in planning, coordinating, and delivering Occupational Therapy services on a day-to-day basis.

To manage a defined caseload using evidence-based/client-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions and contribute to the service provision.

To provide assessment and treatment of service users.

To maintain clinical records.

To develop skills and knowledge through participation in the Preceptorship programme (if applicable) and relevant competency frameworks.

Please see the attached full job description and person spec for full details.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To work as a member of the clinical team providing a high standard of Occupational Therapy interventions, assessments, and evaluation.

To assist the team lead and Specialist therapists in planning, coordinating, and delivering Occupational Therapy services on a day-to-day basis.

To manage a defined caseload using evidence-based/client-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions and contribute to the service provision.

To provide assessment and treatment of service users.

To maintain clinical records.

To develop skills and knowledge through participation in the Preceptorship programme (if applicable) and relevant competency frameworks.

Please see the attached full job description and person spec for full details.

Person Specification

Specific Skills

Essential

  • Physically fit and able to undertake Breakaway Training
  • Good organisational and motivational skills
  • Able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
  • Able to develop links with other services and agencies.
  • Able to identify and manage own stress.
  • Evidence of analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Able to work autonomously, using initiative, whilst working within the occupational therapy code of practice and professional guidelines.

Desirable

  • Competence in a range of clinical assessment skills

Qualifications

Essential

  • State Registered Occupational Therapist with evidence of registration with the Health and Care Professions Council or graduate awaiting evidence of HCPC registration.
  • Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy
  • Evidence of documented continuing professional development

Desirable

  • Current driving licence
  • Computer literacy
  • Accredited Student Educator

Knowledge

Essential

  • Specialist knowledge of current evidence-based practice and recent government papers relating to mental health services
  • Knowledge of a range of therapeutic approaches and their application to people experiencing mental distress
  • Knowledge of evidence-based practice principles and use of reflective practice
  • Knowledge of The Model of Human Occupation and/or other evidence based Occupational Therapy models.
  • assessment.
  • Knowledge of clinical conditions relevant to area of practice.

Desirable

  • Understanding of group processes/dynamics

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team
  • Clear understanding of the role of occupational therapy within mental health
  • Experience of receiving supervision
  • Evidence of a genuine passion for mental health work

Desirable

  • Experience of working within a mental health setting
  • Experience of working with adults with learning / physical disability
  • Experience of therapeutic group work

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Able to build effective working relationships.
  • Adaptable, flexible and innovative
  • Able to work autonomously and as part of a team.
  • Able to work in unpleasant and unpredictable environmental conditions when necessary.
  • Committed to client-centred, non-discriminatory practice.
Person Specification

Specific Skills

Essential

  • Physically fit and able to undertake Breakaway Training
  • Good organisational and motivational skills
  • Able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
  • Able to develop links with other services and agencies.
  • Able to identify and manage own stress.
  • Evidence of analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Able to work autonomously, using initiative, whilst working within the occupational therapy code of practice and professional guidelines.

Desirable

  • Competence in a range of clinical assessment skills

Qualifications

Essential

  • State Registered Occupational Therapist with evidence of registration with the Health and Care Professions Council or graduate awaiting evidence of HCPC registration.
  • Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy
  • Evidence of documented continuing professional development

Desirable

  • Current driving licence
  • Computer literacy
  • Accredited Student Educator

Knowledge

Essential

  • Specialist knowledge of current evidence-based practice and recent government papers relating to mental health services
  • Knowledge of a range of therapeutic approaches and their application to people experiencing mental distress
  • Knowledge of evidence-based practice principles and use of reflective practice
  • Knowledge of The Model of Human Occupation and/or other evidence based Occupational Therapy models.
  • assessment.
  • Knowledge of clinical conditions relevant to area of practice.

Desirable

  • Understanding of group processes/dynamics

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team
  • Clear understanding of the role of occupational therapy within mental health
  • Experience of receiving supervision
  • Evidence of a genuine passion for mental health work

Desirable

  • Experience of working within a mental health setting
  • Experience of working with adults with learning / physical disability
  • Experience of therapeutic group work

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Able to build effective working relationships.
  • Adaptable, flexible and innovative
  • Able to work autonomously and as part of a team.
  • Able to work in unpleasant and unpredictable environmental conditions when necessary.
  • Committed to client-centred, non-discriminatory 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.

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Livewell Southwest

Address

Livewell South West

Mount Gould Road

Plymouth

PL4 7QD


Employer's website

https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Livewell Southwest

Address

Livewell South West

Mount Gould Road

Plymouth

PL4 7QD


Employer's website

https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Manager

Nikki Huck

nikki.huck@nhs.net

01752434714

Details

Date posted

15 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043 a year pa, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

B9832-2026-PTA-1574

Job locations

Livewell South West

Mount Gould Road

Plymouth

PL4 7QD


Syrena House

284 Dean Cross Road

plymouth

Devon

pl9 7AZ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Livewell Southwest's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)