South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 01 February 2026

Job summary

We are a national specialist residential unit and we receive referrals from across the country for people with complex and treatment resistantanxiety disorders.

Residents stay in our unit for a period of 20 weeks during which they have regular CBT sessions in conjunction with a well established group / OT programme . For many of our residents the opportunity to engage in consistent, frequent and active therapy can be a very significant step in their recovery.

Main duties of the job

To be able to use highly specialised technical and/or creative skills to co-ordinate, develop and facilitate a flexible, client centred programme of therapeutic activities for individuals and groups of people who experience anxiety disorders. This will encompass the unit therapeutic programme and will be developed under supervision of the ward manager with input from other multi-disciplinary staff.

About us

We are looking to welcome an enthusiastic and experienced Occupational Therapist to ourspecialist team and compassion focused community.

Date posted

15 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£44,485 to £52,521 a year per annum Incl. of outer HCAs

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

1 years

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

334-CLI-7696436

Job locations

Anxiety Disorder Residential Unit, Dower House

Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road

Beckenham

BR3 3BX

Job description

Job responsibilities

To develop, provide, manage and evaluate OT interventions to the specialist service.
To manage a complex caseload.
To provide clinical leadership for junior staff and students through supervision and training.
To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of clinical services using advanced clinical skills and knowledge.
To regularly supervise OT students on practice placement.
To provide advice on the assessment and intervention of clients occupational needs.
To develop specialist, targeted OT interventions relevant to the work of ADRU; undertaking regular audit and research and development activities
To provide training and consultancy for OT within the specialty.
To develop and run OT groups

Job description

Job responsibilities

To develop, provide, manage and evaluate OT interventions to the specialist service.
To manage a complex caseload.
To provide clinical leadership for junior staff and students through supervision and training.
To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of clinical services using advanced clinical skills and knowledge.
To regularly supervise OT students on practice placement.
To provide advice on the assessment and intervention of clients occupational needs.
To develop specialist, targeted OT interventions relevant to the work of ADRU; undertaking regular audit and research and development activities
To provide training and consultancy for OT within the specialty.
To develop and run OT groups

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Registered Occupational Therapist.

Desirable

Post graduate training relevant to specialist area.
Training in Compassion Focused Therapy
Post registration qualification.
Membership of OT professional body and/or special interest group.

Experience

Essential

Significant post registration experience working with mental health service users experiencing anxiety disorders especially Body Dysmorphic and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Extensive clinical experience including individual and group work.
Experience of supervising junior staff and students.
Experience of audit, research and clinical governance procedures and their application in practice.
Leadership and first line management experience.

Desirable

Experience of working in an inner city, multicultural environment.
Experience of working with people with anxiety disorders.
Experience of specialist mental health settings.
GUT health knowledge
Barista and Sourdough kills (to support our GUT caf when required

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

High level understanding of mental health disorders and treatment models, including CBT.
Detailed knowledge of legislation relevant to mental health and specialist practice where appropriate.
Working knowledge of the principles of CPA (Care Programme Approach) where appropriate. ? Expensive knowledge of the principles of risk assessment and risk management.
Specialist knowledge and application of OT assessments and interventions and outcome measures, relevant to client group.
Commitment to client centred practice.

Desirable

High level group work skills

Other

Essential

Ability to work flexibly and under pressure.
To be motivating and empathic to clients' needs and therapeutic goals.
To work independently, as part of a team, and with outside agencies.
To be engaging and flexible and help clients see future beyond their symptoms.
Commitment to student and staff supervision.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Registered Occupational Therapist.

Desirable

Post graduate training relevant to specialist area.
Training in Compassion Focused Therapy
Post registration qualification.
Membership of OT professional body and/or special interest group.

Experience

Essential

Significant post registration experience working with mental health service users experiencing anxiety disorders especially Body Dysmorphic and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Extensive clinical experience including individual and group work.
Experience of supervising junior staff and students.
Experience of audit, research and clinical governance procedures and their application in practice.
Leadership and first line management experience.

Desirable

Experience of working in an inner city, multicultural environment.
Experience of working with people with anxiety disorders.
Experience of specialist mental health settings.
GUT health knowledge
Barista and Sourdough kills (to support our GUT caf when required

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

High level understanding of mental health disorders and treatment models, including CBT.
Detailed knowledge of legislation relevant to mental health and specialist practice where appropriate.
Working knowledge of the principles of CPA (Care Programme Approach) where appropriate. ? Expensive knowledge of the principles of risk assessment and risk management.
Specialist knowledge and application of OT assessments and interventions and outcome measures, relevant to client group.
Commitment to client centred practice.

Desirable

High level group work skills

Other

Essential

Ability to work flexibly and under pressure.
To be motivating and empathic to clients' needs and therapeutic goals.
To work independently, as part of a team, and with outside agencies.
To be engaging and flexible and help clients see future beyond their symptoms.
Commitment to student and staff supervision.

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

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Anxiety Disorder Residential Unit, Dower House

Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road

Beckenham

BR3 3BX

Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Anxiety Disorder Residential Unit, Dower House

Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road

Beckenham

BR3 3BX

Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)