Job summary
If you are looking for a bank or substantive post and a new challenge, and have a particular interest in Forensic services then this is the position for you.
The Forensic Services based at St Bernard's Hospital on the Ealing site in London are comprised of a number of specialist areas including Women's and Men's services at both low and medium security. The post holder will join an already established Occupational Therapy service and will be based in the Low Secure and Community directorate - specifically working with people with learning disability/intellectual difficulties.
We have a wider Occupational Therapy service comprising of occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, activity coordinators and Recovery Support workers.
You will be supervised and supported by Occupational Therapist to deliver an occupational therapy led program within the Forensic services.
We have a service wide requirement to deliver a range of off ward group programmes that develop service user' skills and function in line with recovery principles and practice. These include social skills, transitions, life skills, goal setting, self-catering and leisure management a lot of these skills are developed within our vocational programme.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this vacancy.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will join an established Occupational Therapy service working across the pathways listed above. In this role, you will work directly with specialist Occupational Therapy practitioners who primarily support in-patients, delivering a cross-ward Occupational Therapy and vocational programme with strong links into the community.
The service provides a range of off-ward group programmes designed to develop service users' skills and support recovery. These include social skills, transitions, life skills, goal setting, self-catering, and leisure management, many of which are delivered through our vocational programme.
Occupational Therapists lead on developing and delivering vocational pathways for service users within the secure perimeter, linking with the Vocational Service in West Ealing to support progression into the community.
We also work closely with education and physical activity services on the St Bernard's site so service users can gain relevant qualifications and further develop their skills and CVs.
As an Occupational Therapy Assistant, you will implement assessment goals and deliver interventions under the direction of qualified Occupational Therapists. The team currently uses the Model of Human Occupation, and we are working toward training all staff in the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability. Full training and support will be provided when you join the team.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached.
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached.
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Proven evidence of an acceptable level of education/qualification (e.g. CSE, GCSE, O Level).
- NVQ level 3
Desirable
- Any relevant qualifications
- Relevant Group Work related courses.
- City & Guilds 730
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within a mental health or learning disability/autism care setting as an OTA.
- Provide group activities within a mental health setting
Desirable
- Vocational experience e.g. catering, retail, horticulture, carpentry
- Experience of reflective practice and CPD
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrate willingness to engage continuing personal and professional development.
Desirable
- Willing to undertake further training as required
- Understanding the Recovery approach and the contribution of Occupational Therapy
- Models of Occupational Therapy i.e. MOHO or MOCA
- STOMP - over medication of people with learning disabilities
Skills
Essential
- Good communications skills both written and verbal.
- Able to demonstrate interests/hobbies and crafts.
- Ability to manage allocated petty cash and follow financial procedures
- Good computer and technology skills.
- Proven team player with a flexible approach.
- Able to develop and maintain professional boundaries.
- Able to form good working relationships in a multi-disciplinary setting.
- Ability to impart knowledge to others, supervise and direct work of others
- Demonstrate the importance of cultural and other differences in working with people in a safe and sensitive manner.
- Demonstrate the need to integrate security requirements when facilitating therapeutic activities when promoting the rehabilitation of service users.
- Demonstrate an ability to manage own stress
Desirable
- Experience of team building
- Demonstrate motivation through own personal interest.
- A sound knowledge of current mental health / learning disability/autism forensic service delivery
- Awareness of risk assessment and positive risk management
Other Requirements
Essential
- Ability to work a shift pattern including evenings and weekends if required.
- Ability to maintain a high level of enthusiasm and able to use own initiative
- Self-confident with an out going personality, who calm remain calm under pressure.
- Recognises own abilities and limitations.
- Proven record of good attendance
- Ability to fulfil all aspects of the job description.
Desirable
- Committed to mental health promotion and social inclusion
- Member of RCOT
- Member of Specialist Section of RCOT for Mental Health
- People with Learning disaiblities
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Proven evidence of an acceptable level of education/qualification (e.g. CSE, GCSE, O Level).
- NVQ level 3
Desirable
- Any relevant qualifications
- Relevant Group Work related courses.
- City & Guilds 730
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within a mental health or learning disability/autism care setting as an OTA.
- Provide group activities within a mental health setting
Desirable
- Vocational experience e.g. catering, retail, horticulture, carpentry
- Experience of reflective practice and CPD
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrate willingness to engage continuing personal and professional development.
Desirable
- Willing to undertake further training as required
- Understanding the Recovery approach and the contribution of Occupational Therapy
- Models of Occupational Therapy i.e. MOHO or MOCA
- STOMP - over medication of people with learning disabilities
Skills
Essential
- Good communications skills both written and verbal.
- Able to demonstrate interests/hobbies and crafts.
- Ability to manage allocated petty cash and follow financial procedures
- Good computer and technology skills.
- Proven team player with a flexible approach.
- Able to develop and maintain professional boundaries.
- Able to form good working relationships in a multi-disciplinary setting.
- Ability to impart knowledge to others, supervise and direct work of others
- Demonstrate the importance of cultural and other differences in working with people in a safe and sensitive manner.
- Demonstrate the need to integrate security requirements when facilitating therapeutic activities when promoting the rehabilitation of service users.
- Demonstrate an ability to manage own stress
Desirable
- Experience of team building
- Demonstrate motivation through own personal interest.
- A sound knowledge of current mental health / learning disability/autism forensic service delivery
- Awareness of risk assessment and positive risk management
Other Requirements
Essential
- Ability to work a shift pattern including evenings and weekends if required.
- Ability to maintain a high level of enthusiasm and able to use own initiative
- Self-confident with an out going personality, who calm remain calm under pressure.
- Recognises own abilities and limitations.
- Proven record of good attendance
- Ability to fulfil all aspects of the job description.
Desirable
- Committed to mental health promotion and social inclusion
- Member of RCOT
- Member of Specialist Section of RCOT for Mental Health
- People with Learning disaiblities
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
