Job summary
We are seeking a motivated and compassionate Activity Coordinator/Occupational Therapy Assistant to join our dynamic multidisciplinary team on an acute mental health ward. In this vital role, you will support the planning and delivery of therapeutic activities that promote recovery, wellbeing, and social inclusion for service users experiencing acute mental health challenges. Working closely with Occupational Therapists and clinical staff, you will help facilitate group and individual interventions tailored to patient needs, encourage participation in meaningful occupation, and contribute to holistic care planning. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in a fast-paced, supportive environment.
Main duties of the job
To work with other members of the multidisciplinary team including seasonal workers and volunteers to coordinate and deliver a programme of creative and social activities. Duties will include the direct provision of group and one-to-one activities with clients in the ward.
To provide information to clients about the ward routine and to ensure clients access information appropriately.
To work flexibly to meet service and client needs
To plan, provide and evaluate activities for individual/groups of clients based on client need and in discussion with the multidisciplinary team.
To provide feedback to the ward manager and team with regard to progress. In addition to the group programme the post holder will assist with one to one individual sessions with clients where required under the guidance of the senior /ward occupational therapist.
To contribute in planning meetings and handover of information to ensure that important information is relayed and clinical care is adjusted appropriately.
Facilitate graded activities as informed by the Occupational therapist to support recovery and community integration.
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.
About our locations:
Tolworth Hospital, Surbiton
To create the very best environment to care for our patients, this site's layout will be transformed in 2026 to add a number of wards to the existing three. Tolworth has a canteen and is near shops, the A3, Tolworth station, and is a bus ride from Surbiton station, with fast connections to Clapham Junction and London Waterloo.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
To work effectively as a member of a team in providing a programme of ward based therapeutic activities.
To undertake skilled technical/creative and specialised support work, engage clients in therapeutic activities to promote independence and well-being.
To work with members of the team to plan a culturally sensitive programme of activities to encourage engagement, promote enjoyment and alleviate boredom.
To engage clients in the design and evaluation of the activity programme.
To facilitate groups on the ward as identified in the activity programme of social and creative activities to an identified client group.
To work with the Occupational Therapist to identify other contributors to the activities programme e.g. smoking cessation workers, benefits advisors, complimentary therapies.
To implement and evaluate Occupational Therapy and team interventions as required, providing a range of activities that support clients to achieve agreed goals.
According to service needs, to be responsible for designated case load under supervision.
To work single handedly, facilitating group or individual work, planned with a registered OT
To monitor clients progress, taking account of their environment and adjust own clinical interventions accordingly, promoting a recovery approach to interventions.
Undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
To work effectively as a member of a team in providing a programme of ward based therapeutic activities.
To undertake skilled technical/creative and specialised support work, engage clients in therapeutic activities to promote independence and well-being.
To work with members of the team to plan a culturally sensitive programme of activities to encourage engagement, promote enjoyment and alleviate boredom.
To engage clients in the design and evaluation of the activity programme.
To facilitate groups on the ward as identified in the activity programme of social and creative activities to an identified client group.
To work with the Occupational Therapist to identify other contributors to the activities programme e.g. smoking cessation workers, benefits advisors, complimentary therapies.
To implement and evaluate Occupational Therapy and team interventions as required, providing a range of activities that support clients to achieve agreed goals.
According to service needs, to be responsible for designated case load under supervision.
To work single handedly, facilitating group or individual work, planned with a registered OT
To monitor clients progress, taking account of their environment and adjust own clinical interventions accordingly, promoting a recovery approach to interventions.
Undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.
Person Specification
Training & Qualification
Essential
- oFormal technical qualification e.g. City & Guilds or Health & Social Care NVQ Level 2 or equivalent skills acquired through in-service development or experience
- oWillingness to undertake the following within 12 months of appointment oComputing skills oGroup skills oFood handling
- oEvidence of continuing professional and personal development
Desirable
- oTraining or qualification in a discipline directly relevant to mental health work
- oUndertaken accredited peer support worker training
- oNVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- oDemonstrable experience of working in health/social care/teaching setting
- oExperience of training others in technical/ leisure skills
- oExperience of working both independently as well as providing group and 1:1 activities
- oExperience of report/letter writing and form filling
Desirable
- oReflective practice skills and experience
- oExperience of working with people with mental health problems
Person Specification
Training & Qualification
Essential
- oFormal technical qualification e.g. City & Guilds or Health & Social Care NVQ Level 2 or equivalent skills acquired through in-service development or experience
- oWillingness to undertake the following within 12 months of appointment oComputing skills oGroup skills oFood handling
- oEvidence of continuing professional and personal development
Desirable
- oTraining or qualification in a discipline directly relevant to mental health work
- oUndertaken accredited peer support worker training
- oNVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- oDemonstrable experience of working in health/social care/teaching setting
- oExperience of training others in technical/ leisure skills
- oExperience of working both independently as well as providing group and 1:1 activities
- oExperience of report/letter writing and form filling
Desirable
- oReflective practice skills and experience
- oExperience of working with people with mental health problems
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).
