Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust

Senior Occupational Therapist 12months Maternity Cover

The closing date is 16 February 2026

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Occupational Therapist to join the multidisciplinary team providing services to our innovative integrated secure service for women based in Norwich. This is for 12months Maternity Leave cover

NSFT Secure Mental Health Services have been consistently rated "Good" by the CQC and we are looking for an enthusiastic, Recovery-focussed and compassionate Occupational Therapist to join Whitlingham Ward and the service on our journey to "Outstanding".

Main duties of the job

In this role, the post-holder will work alongside a full multidisciplinary team in a 16-bedded blended Low/Medium Secure ward for women.

Within this role you will be part of a therapy team with an Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner, Fitness Therapy Technical Instructor and a Teacher. This is a stand-alone unit, so the right candidate will be able to work autonomously and provide clinical leadership on the ward when needed. You will work under the umbrella of the wider, well-established NSFT Secure Services Occupational and Fitness Therapy Team, which is embedded not only at Whitlingham but at a further three wards in Norwich and one in Ipswich.

The Whitlingham Team is committed to trauma-informed care, co-production and positive risk management. You will have the opportunity to work with women with complex needs who are often motivated and have lots of talent and skills with which you can engage. No two days will look the same. You will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the Therapy program on the ward, and for ensuring you offer a high-quality therapy service as part of the wider MDT. We are always looking for ways to improve outcomes for our service users and encourage creativity and innovation in all our staff. We support the development of all our staff and will work with you to ensure that you have all the skills you need for your role and to move forward in your career. Training in Sensory Integration/modulation would be a bonus.

About us

Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.

Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.

Why Norfolk and Suffolk?The people here are warm and welcoming, you'll never be far from the beautiful coastline or Broads National Park. We're an hour and a half away from London and have an international airport in Norwich too. Our villages, towns and cities are packed full of history, independent cafes, shops and theatres. We have excellent shopping, eating out, top ranking schooling and affordable house prices too.

Details

Date posted

03 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year gross per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

246-GYW7687900

Job locations

Whitlingham Ward, Hellesdon Hospital

Drayton Road, Norwich,

Norwich

NR6 5BE


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please find attached our Job Description and Person Specification for more detail on your Key Accountabilities, then if you feel you have what it takes to make a difference in your local communities, click APPLY!

Interview dates are yet to be set; you will be contacted via email and invited to book a time. These emails may go to your SPAM, so please keep checking all your emails if applying.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please find attached our Job Description and Person Specification for more detail on your Key Accountabilities, then if you feel you have what it takes to make a difference in your local communities, click APPLY!

Interview dates are yet to be set; you will be contacted via email and invited to book a time. These emails may go to your SPAM, so please keep checking all your emails if applying.

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to deliver OT assessment/treatment with designated client group
  • Group work skills
  • Ability to work under pressure managing own caseload and effective prioritisation
  • Ability to assess and perform Manual Handling techniques
  • Good verbal and written communication skills
  • Effective working with the wider MDT
  • Demonstrate leadership skills

Desirable

  • Data inputting
  • Experience in running therapeutic groups
  • Experience of assessing and prescribing equipment

Other

Essential

  • Ability to travel independently including rural areas
  • Willingness to work flexibly
  • Understanding of team dynamics
  • Commitment to professional development and lifelong learning
  • Fitness to undergo PMA training and perform full duties of post
  • Ability to undertake Manual Handling Training and utilise these skills in clinical practice

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree, Masters or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
  • Registered with The Health and Care Professionals Council

Desirable

  • Practice Educator qualification
  • Relevant post graduate training courses
  • Clinical supervisor course

Experience

Essential

  • Post Registration experience in Mental Health
  • Experience of MDT working
  • Experience of working with groups of people
  • Ability to work both independently and under supervision

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a range of mental health settings
  • Supervising students/staff
  • Previous line management experience
  • Familiarity of audit procedures
Person Specification

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to deliver OT assessment/treatment with designated client group
  • Group work skills
  • Ability to work under pressure managing own caseload and effective prioritisation
  • Ability to assess and perform Manual Handling techniques
  • Good verbal and written communication skills
  • Effective working with the wider MDT
  • Demonstrate leadership skills

Desirable

  • Data inputting
  • Experience in running therapeutic groups
  • Experience of assessing and prescribing equipment

Other

Essential

  • Ability to travel independently including rural areas
  • Willingness to work flexibly
  • Understanding of team dynamics
  • Commitment to professional development and lifelong learning
  • Fitness to undergo PMA training and perform full duties of post
  • Ability to undertake Manual Handling Training and utilise these skills in clinical practice

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree, Masters or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
  • Registered with The Health and Care Professionals Council

Desirable

  • Practice Educator qualification
  • Relevant post graduate training courses
  • Clinical supervisor course

Experience

Essential

  • Post Registration experience in Mental Health
  • Experience of MDT working
  • Experience of working with groups of people
  • Ability to work both independently and under supervision

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a range of mental health settings
  • Supervising students/staff
  • Previous line management experience
  • Familiarity of audit procedures

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

Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust

Address

Whitlingham Ward, Hellesdon Hospital

Drayton Road, Norwich,

Norwich

NR6 5BE


Employer's website

https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust

Address

Whitlingham Ward, Hellesdon Hospital

Drayton Road, Norwich,

Norwich

NR6 5BE


Employer's website

https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

AHP Lead, Great Yarmouth and Waveney

Nina Mason

nina.mason@nsft.nhs.uk

07443293586

Details

Date posted

03 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year gross per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

246-GYW7687900

Job locations

Whitlingham Ward, Hellesdon Hospital

Drayton Road, Norwich,

Norwich

NR6 5BE


Supporting documents

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