Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Band 5 Occupational Therapist, Bristol

The closing date is 02 September 2025

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for an occupational therapist to join the specialist community forensic team (SCFT) on a fixed term/ secondment basis.

The post holder will support with developing and overseeing recovery activities and groups and develop further skills in care coordination with the support of senior colleagues

Occupational therapists are a key component to the SCFT work and engagement in meaningful activities has been shown to have positive effects on service users leaving secure services, both in regard to remaining well, within the community and in improving quality of life.

The SCFT supports men and women who are in the process of, or have recently, transitioned out of secure care to live in the community. The team is made up of psychiatry, psychology, nursing, social work, occupational therapy, peer work, carers support and also, the team enjoys the benefits of involvement from the third sector with partnership with Second Step charity, which provide expertise in recovery navigation, equality and diversity and Recovery College work.

We would welcome informal conversations with any interested candidates.

Main duties of the job

This is a role designed to oversee and develop the opportunities for meaningful activity through recovery based groups alongside the wider multidisciplinary team (MDT) and offers opportunities for creative working across agencies.

This role will also offer developmental opportunities for the successful candidate to work alongside band 6 colleagues, and the wider MDT, in developing skills around care coordination and assessments of occupation and functioning. This role would therefore suit a recently qualified OT or a more experienced OT, who is passionate about improving the opportunities for meaningful activity to those leaving hospital and may be looking to develop their skills in other areas.

About us

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Date posted

19 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

14 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

342-SEC085-0825

Job locations

Fromeside, Blackberry Hill Hospital

Bristol

BS16 1EG

Job description

Job responsibilities

Work in a professional and collaborative manner with the multi-disciplinary team.

Ensure intervention is provided in a range of settings suitable to meet the needs of clients.

Provide information, education and support for family members, carers and other relevant professionals.

Participate and promote positive intra-agency working.

Participate in case load supervision to monitor the standards of service user care and ensure record keeping is in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.

Participate in regular clinical supervision with Specialist OT/Clinical LeadOccupational Therapist, as per Trust Policy.

Contribute to the development and implementation of integrated care pathways, including appropriate service user assessments/referrals and models of care.

Contribute to client related developments and therapeutic interventions carried out by the whole team e.g., cognitive behavioural therapy, psycho-social interventions.

Compile and maintain effective client records and record outcome measures in conjunction with clients and in accordance with Professional and Trust policies, procedures and standards.

Participate to the induction, training or education of a variety of staff, students or volunteers attached to the team/service.

Prioritise designated occupational therapy referrals according to need, risk and service capacity.

Undertake occupational therapy assessments, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits in areas of self-care, productivity and leisure.

Plan and implement individual and/or group interventions, using selected and graded activity to develop the clients skills in identified areas of deficit.

Undertake comprehensive risk assessment with clients and record the rationale for therapeutic risk taking in the OT care plan.

Compile OT reports, on behalf of the MDT to inform interventions, diagnosis and outcomes for clients with complex needs.

Contribute to ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the occupational therapy process in line with sound evidence-based practice.

Provide advice on issues related to ADL for other professionals and carers.

Work closely with OT colleagues from other clinical settings/teams, providing individual and peer group support.

Contribute to the writing and implementation of practice guidelines, policies and procedures, and utilise OT knowledge to propose service changes.

Contribute to staff participation in the formulation of new ideas/suggestions to improve service user care and service delivery.

Ensure the principles of Clinical Governance are incorporated in service delivery by maintaining a high-quality service based on agreed clinical standards.

Maintain an effective supervision structure, and provide professional supervision for designated OT support staff, addressing clinical personal and professional issues.

Be responsible for the care, maintenance and monitoring of equipment used by clients and bring any defects or deficits to the attention of the appropriate authority. e.g., ADL equipment.

Assist in the maintenance and updating of the units equipment inventories and service schedules. Ensure regular servicing, maintenance, repair or replacement as required adhering to Health & Safety, COSHH and Medical Devices Agency regulations.

Participate in the Performance Review/Appraisal process with OT supervisor and Team/Service Manager.

Attend relevant and mandatory training courses, as required.

Attend professional meetings as required.

Maintain knowledge of current Trust, OT and Department of Health policy, procedures and guidelines.

Support the implementation of evidence-based practice in line with current research.

Assist in the mentorship processes for all staff and contribute to fieldwork education of designated occupational therapy students.

Demonstrate the acquisition and application of knowledge in line with current research and evidence based practice and maintain a professional portfolio for Continuing Professional Development and HCPC professional registration.

Utilise opportunities for CPD through access to internal and external resources, forums and networks as identified by self and supervising OT.

Promote a positive learning environment by contributing to teaching and training for members of the multidisciplinary team and other agencies.

Promote, undertake and participate in team audit and research when required.