Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the therapies team at the Shaftesbury clinic, forensic inpatient services. We have a large and supportive therapies team consisting of Occupational therapists, clinical exercise therapists, activity support workers, technical instructors and an education tutor.
The Forensic Inpatient Service is comprised of both medium and low secure wards. The service provides treatment under the Mental Health Act for men and women with mental health problems and who are considered to pose a significant risk of harm to themselves or others. The primary aim of the Forensic Inpatient Service is to provide a safe and secure environment in which to support forensic patients to increase occupational participation and develop the skill necessary for a smooth transition into the community. The therapies team work across the four wards within the service. We also have close links with our occupational therapy colleagues in the forensic outreach service.
Occupational therapy interventions encourage the development of skills related to education, creativity, vocation, exercise, and life skills. We support service users to develop their occupational identity through exploring interests and developing a daily routine. We support a graded integration into the community.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work with the Occupational Therapy team to develop a programme of therapeutic activity for service users with mental health needs, learning disability and autism who have engaged in offending behaviour. They will deliver both individual and group interventions to enable patients to maintain daily activity within the limitations of the secure environment. Under the guidance of an occupational therapist, they will support service users to maintain and develop their skills that allow them to work towards reintegration back into the community.
The post holder will collaborate closely with other activity support workers to ensure that service users have access to a centralised programme of activity in the unit, as well as providing activity on individual wards.
The post holder will have experience of creating and delivering groups within a mental health or social care setting. They will have a positive attitude towards teamwork and be self-motivated and innovative. The service runs primarily over Monday to Friday in order to meet the needs of our patients, however, all activity workers are expected to contribute to weekend activities, therefore the post holder will need to be able to work flexibly.
About us
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety ofbenefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.
Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To participate as a member of the occupational therapy department in the provision of a range of therapeutic and recreational to support the rehabilitation of service users experiencing mental illness and who have a history of offending. This programme will be developed and implemented with the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist.
To provide a programme of recreational, vocational and educational activities within the service and the community.
To support the development of a balanced therapeutic ward-based programme.
To support access to and engagement in the forensic recovery college.
To facilitate recovery courses at the forensic recovery college.
To instruct and guide individuals and groups of service users in the use of therapeutic activity.
To work independently, facilitating group or individual work, planned with a registered Occupational Therapist.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To participate as a member of the occupational therapy department in the provision of a range of therapeutic and recreational to support the rehabilitation of service users experiencing mental illness and who have a history of offending. This programme will be developed and implemented with the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist.
To provide a programme of recreational, vocational and educational activities within the service and the community.
To support the development of a balanced therapeutic ward-based programme.
To support access to and engagement in the forensic recovery college.
To facilitate recovery courses at the forensic recovery college.
To instruct and guide individuals and groups of service users in the use of therapeutic activity.
To work independently, facilitating group or individual work, planned with a registered Occupational Therapist.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Ability to work independently in ward and community settings
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health problems
- Group work skills
- Ability to teach practical skills to service users
- Good verbal and written communication skills
Desirable
- Knowledge of applying Health and Safety and risk awareness procedures and policies
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Qualification pertaining to health and social care, i.e. City & Guilds or Health & Social Care NVQ, Level 2 or equivalent skills acquired through in-service development or experience
- Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
Desirable
- Health and social care related qualification above basic level e.g. City & Guilds final certificate, NVQ 3 or 4, Diploma or Degree
- PTTLS or equivalent teacher training qualification
- Psychology qualification
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of working in health/social care/teaching setting
- Experience of report/letter writing and form filling
- Experience of training others in technical/ leisure skills
Desirable
- Experience of facilitating therapeutic groups in a health and social care setting
- Experience of caring for someone with a mental health difficulty
Person Specification
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Ability to work independently in ward and community settings
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health problems
- Group work skills
- Ability to teach practical skills to service users
- Good verbal and written communication skills
Desirable
- Knowledge of applying Health and Safety and risk awareness procedures and policies
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Qualification pertaining to health and social care, i.e. City & Guilds or Health & Social Care NVQ, Level 2 or equivalent skills acquired through in-service development or experience
- Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
Desirable
- Health and social care related qualification above basic level e.g. City & Guilds final certificate, NVQ 3 or 4, Diploma or Degree
- PTTLS or equivalent teacher training qualification
- Psychology qualification
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of working in health/social care/teaching setting
- Experience of report/letter writing and form filling
- Experience of training others in technical/ leisure skills
Desirable
- Experience of facilitating therapeutic groups in a health and social care setting
- Experience of caring for someone with a mental health difficulty
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).
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).
