Job summary
Job overview
FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our Occupational Therapy department as aBand 4 Technical Instructor (TI).
Would you like to support adults who have complex mental health needs and a forensic / offending history in their rehabilitation? To help them identify and pursue their interests, develop functional and life skills, or help them to identify future vocational and educational pursuits.
You will need to have experience, or be willing to learn and support service users in engaging in vocational training and therapeutic activities, e.g. fitness, gardening, music, artistic outlets, develop social networks, develop life skills etc. We are keen to utilise any specialist skills/passions or hobbies you may have and incorporate these into your role, e.g. catering, hospitality, teaching or sharing a skill.
Main duties of the job
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will be based in the Kingswood Centre (KWC), as part of a team, lead by an Occupational therapist. Providing therapeutic, vocational and recreational activities for the medium / low secure forensic wards; working alongside OTs & TIs and a robust multi-disciplinary team. As a Technical Instructor you will be expected to work with individuals on a one to one basis and facilitate therapeutic group sessions within the KWC and in the community; with the aim to promote service users recovery, maximise independence and to work towards their discharge. Team working and communication are an essential part of this role.
About us
Working for our organisation
The North London Forensic Service is an OUTSTANDING service as rated by the CQC. We are an ever growing, innovative service who pride ourselves on being service user led. We champion experts by experience and have a department dedicated to this alone.
The KWC is resourced with a recreational centre which includes 2 gyms, a sports hall, caf & shop, pottery room, music/recording studio, IT suite, workshop, horticulture garden, ADL kitchen, tennis court, carpentry and mechanics workshop, a service user lounge, cafe and shop. Some of the groups that run from the centre include pet therapy, plumbing and motorbike repair/maintenance.
The occupational therapy team is a large department and has ever expanding opportunities for learning and career development, some of which include: Extensive training opportunities including: Trauma Informed Care andapplication of therapeutic models.
The service:
The NLFS provides comprehensive mental health rehabilitation to a mainly male adult population within medium and low security for service users who present with complex mental health needs and a forensic / offending history. The patients are individuals with diverse needs and presentations, often with psychotic symptoms, secondary diagnosis of personality disorder and can exhibit aggressive behaviour and poor insight.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role:
- Is based in the forensic mental health unit (NLFS), Chase Farm Hospital, Enfield.
- Working with adult males and females, medium / low secure. Providing intervention to patients detained under The Mental Health Act, 1983 (amended 2007), many of whom suffer from a severe and enduring mental illness and have a history of offending behaviour.
- Working alongside OTs and TIs and robust multi-disciplinary teams including Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy, Dual Diagnoses, Employment Advisors, Peer Workers and Experts by Experience (EbEs)
- Liaising with internal and external services, e.g., community mental health / OT teams to support and prepare for discharge from hospital, EBEs, vocational and educational services, housing etc.
- The OT role focusses on functional daily living skills, establishing structured routines and managing specific mental health and risk issues.
- Working with OTs to deliver 1:1 session and a group programme to meet individual needs.
- The role will include the assessment, treatment and evaluation of clinical interventions, carrying out functional assessments and contributing to multidisciplinary team care planning and risk assessment verbally and through written documentation.
The OT team:
- You will be working alongside a large team of OTs (Band 7, Band 6, Band 5 and Band 4 TI). Supervision structure to support ongoing learning and career development.
- The team has a wealth of experience and opportunities to share to aid learning and development. We offer a robust induction programme including preceptorship (if applicable), many training opportunities in house and externally and frequent robust supervision.
- Each OT is allocated to a specific case load / ward alongside a TI and overseen by Band 6 / Band 7 OT.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role:
- Is based in the forensic mental health unit (NLFS), Chase Farm Hospital, Enfield.
- Working with adult males and females, medium / low secure. Providing intervention to patients detained under The Mental Health Act, 1983 (amended 2007), many of whom suffer from a severe and enduring mental illness and have a history of offending behaviour.
- Working alongside OTs and TIs and robust multi-disciplinary teams including Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy, Dual Diagnoses, Employment Advisors, Peer Workers and Experts by Experience (EbEs)
- Liaising with internal and external services, e.g., community mental health / OT teams to support and prepare for discharge from hospital, EBEs, vocational and educational services, housing etc.
- The OT role focusses on functional daily living skills, establishing structured routines and managing specific mental health and risk issues.
- Working with OTs to deliver 1:1 session and a group programme to meet individual needs.
- The role will include the assessment, treatment and evaluation of clinical interventions, carrying out functional assessments and contributing to multidisciplinary team care planning and risk assessment verbally and through written documentation.
The OT team:
- You will be working alongside a large team of OTs (Band 7, Band 6, Band 5 and Band 4 TI). Supervision structure to support ongoing learning and career development.
- The team has a wealth of experience and opportunities to share to aid learning and development. We offer a robust induction programme including preceptorship (if applicable), many training opportunities in house and externally and frequent robust supervision.
- Each OT is allocated to a specific case load / ward alongside a TI and overseen by Band 6 / Band 7 OT.
Person Specification
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- NVQ 3 or equivalent experience and/or training
- Evidence of achievement and personal success
Desirable
- Training in the specific activities relevant to client group e.g. Cookery, Art/craft, IT, ESOL.
- Training to develop clinical skills e.g. Basic counselling skills or group work skills
EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Experience of motivating people to attend sessions or take part in activities
- Experience of working as a team member
- Experience of managing own time effectively to meet clinical and administrative tasks
- A working knowledge of mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and psychosis
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with mental health problems.
- Experience of working within a ward setting or MDT
- Experience of observing clients within activities in order to contribute to OT assessments
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Essential
- Effective skills in a range of activities e.g. computing, cooking, crafts, exercise, music
- Ability to modify activities to meet fluctuating needs and abilities
- Ability to motivate patients to attend and participate in sessions
- Able to use supervision and training opportunities to develop and apply own knowledge of client group and therapeutic use of graded activities
Desirable
- Ability to carry out assessments of clients within specialist area and design programme of activity accordingly.
- Skills in managing challenging behaviours or difficult situations
PERSONAL QUALITIES
Essential
- Commitment to work as a proactive team member
- Empathy for people with mental health problems and passionate about service user involvement
- Aware of own limitations and needs and ability to seeks advice and support appropriately
Desirable
- Ability to promote positive image of OT
- Experience with service user involvement
Person Specification
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- NVQ 3 or equivalent experience and/or training
- Evidence of achievement and personal success
Desirable
- Training in the specific activities relevant to client group e.g. Cookery, Art/craft, IT, ESOL.
- Training to develop clinical skills e.g. Basic counselling skills or group work skills
EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Experience of motivating people to attend sessions or take part in activities
- Experience of working as a team member
- Experience of managing own time effectively to meet clinical and administrative tasks
- A working knowledge of mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and psychosis
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with mental health problems.
- Experience of working within a ward setting or MDT
- Experience of observing clients within activities in order to contribute to OT assessments
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Essential
- Effective skills in a range of activities e.g. computing, cooking, crafts, exercise, music
- Ability to modify activities to meet fluctuating needs and abilities
- Ability to motivate patients to attend and participate in sessions
- Able to use supervision and training opportunities to develop and apply own knowledge of client group and therapeutic use of graded activities
Desirable
- Ability to carry out assessments of clients within specialist area and design programme of activity accordingly.
- Skills in managing challenging behaviours or difficult situations
PERSONAL QUALITIES
Essential
- Commitment to work as a proactive team member
- Empathy for people with mental health problems and passionate about service user involvement
- Aware of own limitations and needs and ability to seeks advice and support appropriately
Desirable
- Ability to promote positive image of OT
- Experience with service user involvement
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).
