Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Crisis Team Mental Health Practitioner (Occupational Therapist)

The closing date is 29 March 2026

Job summary

We are looking to welcome you! An experienced Occupational Therapist with knowledge and understanding of working with individuals during a mental health crisis. Working with service-users at a vulnerable time, we are looking for someone who is committed to making a positive difference in their lives. The post holder will contribute to the provision of intensive home-based treatment, as an alternative to hospital admission, providing a 24- hour service across the acute care pathway. They will work proactively in accordance with the principles of social inclusion, promoting independence and recovery.

The post holder will be an integral part of a multidisciplinary team with the opportunity to grow and develop the Occupational Therapy role as a Senior Occupational Therapist and have the opportunity to link in and network with peers through AHP Forums, OT Networks and regular training and events.

They will work in partnership with people using mental health services and their families or carers, in order to prevent distress, deterioration and promote recovery. The post holder will have the opportunity to develop groups and will work closely with the Occupational Therapy team based in the inpatient units.

This role will offer an array of learning and research possibilities enabling you to expand your experience and skills base. Training and development needs are also identified through appraisal, and a well-developed supervision system is in place.

Main duties of the job

To ensure the provision of intensive home-based treatment, as an alternative to hospital admission.

To develop the Occupational Therapy service within the Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Team.

To undertake ongoing assessment, implementation and evaluation of care needs of a changing caseload of service users within their home environment.

To work closely with the inpatient units ensuring effective transition of care across the acute care pathway.

To work in a 24-hour service, on a shift basis including weekends.

To lead the clinical management and to provide a client-centred occupational therapy service to a defined caseload of service users with complex needs, within the local services working with multi-disciplinary team members and the occupational therapy team.

To critically evaluate referrals to the occupational therapy service for occupational therapy intervention, particularly identifying priorities for treatment intervention.

To work as a lead practitioner in managing a flexible, team-based caseload.

    To mentor, supervise and teach qualified and unqualified staff including students.

    To lead the care for a specified group of service users.

    To undertake generic duties as a member of the crisis resolution home treatment team, e.g. duty and mental health assessments.

    To be a resource for the team, providing, occupational therapy professional guidance, and to lead on the evaluation and continued development of the occupational therapy service.

    About us

    Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides joined-up mental and physical healthcare for around two million people across our communities. With over 13,000 staff working in the community and local hospitals, we deliver care at every stage of life, helping people live their best and healthiest lives.

    Our mental health services include community-based support and early intervention in psychosis (EIP) for both adults and young people, alongside a network of specialist inpatient wards covering forensic, learning disability, eating disorder and older person's care.

    We deliver extensive physical health services too, from urgent community response teams helping frail and older patients remain safely at home, to hospitals at home teams providing acute-level care in familiar surroundings. Our neurological services offer rehabilitation and treatment for conditions including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Motor Neurone Disease, Head Injury, Cerebral Palsy and Stroke. Across Hampshire, our community hospitals provide inpatient rehabilitation as a step down from acute care, and our dedicated teams also staff Treetops Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Portsmouth, offering expert, compassionate support.

    Everything we do is underpinned by our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect and excellence

    Details

    Date posted

    16 March 2026

    Pay scheme

    Agenda for change

    Band

    Band 6

    Salary

    £38,682 to £46,580 a year

    Contract

    Permanent

    Working pattern

    Full-time

    Reference number

    348-SAC-10705

    Job locations

    Fort Southwick

    James Callaghan Drive

    Fareham

    Hampshire

    PO17 6AR


    Job description

    Job responsibilities

    Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached. It is important to us that we ensure our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive to everyone - if as a potential candidate you are concerned a person specification may prevent or restrict your application for employment as a result of unintentional barriers on the grounds of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religion/belief or disability please initially contact the Trust's Recruitment team - detailed in the advert. The Trust will seek to resolve this issue wherever possible.

    We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process.

    Job description

    Job responsibilities

    Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached. It is important to us that we ensure our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive to everyone - if as a potential candidate you are concerned a person specification may prevent or restrict your application for employment as a result of unintentional barriers on the grounds of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religion/belief or disability please initially contact the Trust's Recruitment team - detailed in the advert. The Trust will seek to resolve this issue wherever possible.

    We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process.

    Person Specification

    Qualifications

    Essential

    • Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy
    • Registration with HCPC
    • Practice Placement qualification
    • Evidence of other development and or training
    • which indicates a commitment to continuous
    • professional development
    • Computer skills

    Desirable

    • Post graduate training relevant to mental health.
    • Short specialist course relevant to mental health
    • Speciality specific Level 3 learning*
    • Knowledge of another language
    • Mentorship course
    • Clinical supervision
    • Training
    • Significant post qualifying experience

    Experience

    Essential

    • Evidence of effective team working
    • Supervision of staff and students on placement
    • Experience of working in mental health settings
    • Documented evidence of Continual Professional Development
    • Specialist knowledge and application of current best practice in OT and mental health
    • Ability to work under pressure and set own priorities.
    • Resolution of professional / ethical issues
    • Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
    • Planning and decision-making skills
    • Computer literacy
    • Understanding of current mental health policy and practice and implication for occupational therapy
    • Ability to maintain effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders
    • Working knowledge of clinical governance
    • State registration with HCPC
    • Commitment to person centred non-discriminatory practice
    • Commitment to lifelong learning
    • Willingness to be flexible.
    • Health, safety and risk awareness.
    • Membership of Professional Body
    • Highly developed communication skills
    • Ability to communicate effectively with people
    • Good facilitation skills
    • Evidence of effective interpersonal skills (active listening, building empathy)
    • Ability to organise self and others to achieve tasks
    • Ability to motivate service users
    • Ability to work Autonomously
    • Ability to provide clinical supervision
    • Working knowledge of the application of the appropriate professional Code of Conduct
    • Management of aggression
    • Moving and handling training

    Desirable

    • Familiar with the Model of Human Occupation, Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and the Vdt Model of Creative Ability
    • Leadership / Management training
    • Masters /Masters modules
    • Management experience
    • Presentation and training skills
    • Able to co-facilitate group work
    • Experience of a range of mental health settings
    • Experience supporting physical health conditions and with equipment
    • Service/Practice innovation
    • Experience of mentorship in practice
    • Knowledge of recruitment and selection procedures
    • Research experience

    Additional Criteria

    Essential

    • Approachable
    • Caring
    • Trustworthy and honest
    • Integrity
    • Good listening skills
    • Non-judgmental
    • Motivational skills
    • Commitment to client-centred, non-discriminatory practice
    • Enthusiastic
    • Energetic and fun
    Person Specification

    Qualifications

    Essential

    • Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy
    • Registration with HCPC
    • Practice Placement qualification
    • Evidence of other development and or training
    • which indicates a commitment to continuous
    • professional development
    • Computer skills

    Desirable

    • Post graduate training relevant to mental health.
    • Short specialist course relevant to mental health
    • Speciality specific Level 3 learning*
    • Knowledge of another language
    • Mentorship course
    • Clinical supervision
    • Training
    • Significant post qualifying experience

    Experience

    Essential

    • Evidence of effective team working
    • Supervision of staff and students on placement
    • Experience of working in mental health settings
    • Documented evidence of Continual Professional Development
    • Specialist knowledge and application of current best practice in OT and mental health
    • Ability to work under pressure and set own priorities.
    • Resolution of professional / ethical issues
    • Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
    • Planning and decision-making skills
    • Computer literacy
    • Understanding of current mental health policy and practice and implication for occupational therapy
    • Ability to maintain effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders
    • Working knowledge of clinical governance
    • State registration with HCPC
    • Commitment to person centred non-discriminatory practice
    • Commitment to lifelong learning
    • Willingness to be flexible.
    • Health, safety and risk awareness.
    • Membership of Professional Body
    • Highly developed communication skills
    • Ability to communicate effectively with people
    • Good facilitation skills
    • Evidence of effective interpersonal skills (active listening, building empathy)
    • Ability to organise self and others to achieve tasks
    • Ability to motivate service users
    • Ability to work Autonomously
    • Ability to provide clinical supervision
    • Working knowledge of the application of the appropriate professional Code of Conduct
    • Management of aggression
    • Moving and handling training

    Desirable

    • Familiar with the Model of Human Occupation, Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and the Vdt Model of Creative Ability
    • Leadership / Management training
    • Masters /Masters modules
    • Management experience
    • Presentation and training skills
    • Able to co-facilitate group work
    • Experience of a range of mental health settings
    • Experience supporting physical health conditions and with equipment
    • Service/Practice innovation
    • Experience of mentorship in practice
    • Knowledge of recruitment and selection procedures
    • Research experience

    Additional Criteria

    Essential

    • Approachable
    • Caring
    • Trustworthy and honest
    • Integrity
    • Good listening skills
    • Non-judgmental
    • Motivational skills
    • Commitment to client-centred, non-discriminatory practice
    • Enthusiastic
    • Energetic and fun

    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.

    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

    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.

    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

    Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

    Address

    Fort Southwick

    James Callaghan Drive

    Fareham

    Hampshire

    PO17 6AR


    Employer's website

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


    Employer details

    Employer name

    Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

    Address

    Fort Southwick

    James Callaghan Drive

    Fareham

    Hampshire

    PO17 6AR


    Employer's website

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


    Employer contact details

    For questions about the job, contact:

    Hiring Manager

    Harold Kombe

    harold.kombe1@nhs.net

    02382311900

    Details

    Date posted

    16 March 2026

    Pay scheme

    Agenda for change

    Band

    Band 6

    Salary

    £38,682 to £46,580 a year

    Contract

    Permanent

    Working pattern

    Full-time

    Reference number

    348-SAC-10705

    Job locations

    Fort Southwick

    James Callaghan Drive

    Fareham

    Hampshire

    PO17 6AR


    Supporting documents

    Privacy notice

    Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)