Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit a Band 6 Occupational Therapist for fixed term maternity cover (Secondments considered with if supported by your current line manager) within the Offender Personality Disorder pathway and Intensive Integrated Risk Management Service.
This service falls within the wider Forensic service which comprises of a Specialist Community Forensic Team, Forensic Link working team, Advice and Support in Custody and Court (ASCC), Offender Personality Disorder Service (OPD) and the Intensive Integrated Risk Management Service (IIRMS).
Main duties of the job
- Designing and delivering relevant group work to Approved Premises residents to assist with issues such as managing finances, living independently and nutrition.
- Work alongside the Offender Manager to assess the needs and risks of an individual with conditions such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Learning Disability.
- Work with the local Approved Premises to provide specialist advice and support
- Work with relevant professionals and agencies to meet the needs of clients. Such professionals may include SCFT key workers, Forensic Link workers, employment workers within Job Centres, Employment Service and Recovery College. Other agencies may include The Nelson Trust, Mind and other relevant third sector organisations.
- Maintain contact with clients during custodial sentences and agree support plans with them for their release.
- Provide advice and support for clients in the community to improve self management and daily living skills.
About us
As an organisation, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust offers employees a wide range of benefits including flexible working, NHS pension scheme, generous annual leave allowance and a commitment to career development.
You will be eligible for our Blue Light Card and a wide range of NHS exclusive shopping & leisure discounts.
We are proud of our skilled, diverse workforce and as an inclusive employer we welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Working in Somerset enables you to enjoy the idyllic countryside, areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.
There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable.
Somerset offers the countryside and the cosmopolitan - there is truly something for everyone!
Job description
Job responsibilities
This post is primarily designed to work within the Intensive Integrated Risk Management Service which offers support to offenders who are on the Offender Personality Disorder pathway (OPD).
The OPD pathway aims to provide psychologically informed services for a highly complex and challenging offender group who are likely to have a severe personality disorder and who pose a high risk of harm to others. The programme is a joint initiative between NHS England and Probation. The OPD pathway utilises psychological knowledge and thinking in order to meet the needs of this complex group.
The OPD pathway works with the following theoretical models: Attachment theory; Desistance and Good Lives models; Theory of Needs; Risk Needs Responsivity.
The service aims to support clients who have further needs around their resettlement and on-going risks to others. IIRMS offers a service to offenders who might struggle to access mainstream provision. The role will involve working with a Forensic Psychologist, Operational Manager, Assistant Psychologist, Engagement Worker and OPD Probation Officer as well as the wider Forensic service. The role will involve supporting clients with employment and maintaining appropriate housing as well as providing individualised or group programmes to address complex needs and support accessing meaningful activities. The role will also involve working with the OPD Psychologist and the Offender Manager to assess the needs and risks of an individual.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This post is primarily designed to work within the Intensive Integrated Risk Management Service which offers support to offenders who are on the Offender Personality Disorder pathway (OPD).
The OPD pathway aims to provide psychologically informed services for a highly complex and challenging offender group who are likely to have a severe personality disorder and who pose a high risk of harm to others. The programme is a joint initiative between NHS England and Probation. The OPD pathway utilises psychological knowledge and thinking in order to meet the needs of this complex group.
The OPD pathway works with the following theoretical models: Attachment theory; Desistance and Good Lives models; Theory of Needs; Risk Needs Responsivity.
The service aims to support clients who have further needs around their resettlement and on-going risks to others. IIRMS offers a service to offenders who might struggle to access mainstream provision. The role will involve working with a Forensic Psychologist, Operational Manager, Assistant Psychologist, Engagement Worker and OPD Probation Officer as well as the wider Forensic service. The role will involve supporting clients with employment and maintaining appropriate housing as well as providing individualised or group programmes to address complex needs and support accessing meaningful activities. The role will also involve working with the OPD Psychologist and the Offender Manager to assess the needs and risks of an individual.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy
- Registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council
Desirable
- British Association of Occupational Therapy membership
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of personality disorders
- Knowledge of mental health, substance misuse, developmental and learning disability issues
- Knowledge of current evidence based best practice in Occupational Therapy
- Evidence of Continued Professional Development
Desirable
- Knowledge of relevant theoretical frameworks including Good Lives Model, Attachment Theory and Risk Needs Responsivity
- Knowledge of the issues faced by individuals in the Criminal Justice System
- Knowledge of current evidence based best practice in working with offenders and personality disorder
Experience
Essential
- Experience of assessment and treatment in a wide range of conditions
- Experience of working with mental health of personality disorder
- Clinical reasoning to enable sound judgement and intervention when treating clients
- Experience of research and audit
Desirable
- Ability to work independently and set priorities
- Community experience
- Experience of working with offenders
Skills
Essential
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to reflect on and critically appraise own performance
- Ability to form effective working relationships
- Good organisational and time management skills
- Able to drive and access to a vehicle
- Able to represent Occupational Therapy to other professionals and agencies
- Excellent interpersonal skills. Able to communicate compassionately with clients, carers and families. Able to communicate with a wide range of individuals and organisations
- Need to be flexible regarding working location and environment
- Resourceful and adaptable
- Able to use a wide range of verbal and non-verbal communication skills in order to provide assessment and treatment
- Ability to work under pressure and own initiative
- Computer literate and able to adhere to professional and trust record keeping policies
- Ability to remain boundaried and work safely with service users with a history of complex and relational difficulties
Communication
Essential
- Evidence of a good standard of Literacy / English language skills
- Excellent communication skills to work with complex needs and risks of the client group
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to work with other agencies and professionals
- Ability to communicate with service managers and commissioners in representing the service
Planning and Organising
Essential
- Plan own diary, balancing client engagement, assessment, planning, liaison with other professionals, attending meetings and data collection and note keeping
- Keep up to date and accurate records
Other
Essential
- Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy
- Registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council
Desirable
- British Association of Occupational Therapy membership
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of personality disorders
- Knowledge of mental health, substance misuse, developmental and learning disability issues
- Knowledge of current evidence based best practice in Occupational Therapy
- Evidence of Continued Professional Development
Desirable
- Knowledge of relevant theoretical frameworks including Good Lives Model, Attachment Theory and Risk Needs Responsivity
- Knowledge of the issues faced by individuals in the Criminal Justice System
- Knowledge of current evidence based best practice in working with offenders and personality disorder
Experience
Essential
- Experience of assessment and treatment in a wide range of conditions
- Experience of working with mental health of personality disorder
- Clinical reasoning to enable sound judgement and intervention when treating clients
- Experience of research and audit
Desirable
- Ability to work independently and set priorities
- Community experience
- Experience of working with offenders
Skills
Essential
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to reflect on and critically appraise own performance
- Ability to form effective working relationships
- Good organisational and time management skills
- Able to drive and access to a vehicle
- Able to represent Occupational Therapy to other professionals and agencies
- Excellent interpersonal skills. Able to communicate compassionately with clients, carers and families. Able to communicate with a wide range of individuals and organisations
- Need to be flexible regarding working location and environment
- Resourceful and adaptable
- Able to use a wide range of verbal and non-verbal communication skills in order to provide assessment and treatment
- Ability to work under pressure and own initiative
- Computer literate and able to adhere to professional and trust record keeping policies
- Ability to remain boundaried and work safely with service users with a history of complex and relational difficulties
Communication
Essential
- Evidence of a good standard of Literacy / English language skills
- Excellent communication skills to work with complex needs and risks of the client group
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to work with other agencies and professionals
- Ability to communicate with service managers and commissioners in representing the service
Planning and Organising
Essential
- Plan own diary, balancing client engagement, assessment, planning, liaison with other professionals, attending meetings and data collection and note keeping
- Keep up to date and accurate records
Other
Essential
- Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients
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.
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.
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).
