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Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 01 December 2025

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Job summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join our dynamic Acute Therapy Service in Preston. This is a fantastic chance to work in a creative, supportive team that helps people in crisis and offers an alternative to hospital admission.ATS is a psychologically led, DBT-informed service supporting individuals in emotional crisis. We provide structured psychological input, practical and occupational support, and a safe, containing environment. Our focus is on recovery, resilience and helping people regain control of their lives.

Main duties of the job

What You'll Doo Assess risks and occupational needs for service users with complex presentations and emotional dysregulationo Assist with day-to-day assessments, processing of referrals and other core clinical taskso Deliver OT-specific group sessions and 1:1 assessmentso Support DBT-led (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) skills groups and ensure the service is model-adherento Empower service users to apply coping strategies and skills learned in ATS

What We're Looking Foro HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist with relevant experienceo Interest in working with individuals with complex mental health and personality difficultieso Skills in group work, collaboration and supervisiono Commitment to team working and delivering high-quality care

What We Offero Regular clinical and management supervisiono Ongoing opportunities for training and professional developmento An inclusive, supportive and diverse workplace

About us

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care.

The Trust also provides a range of physical health and well-being services in the community alongside a range of partners in the Lancashire, Cumbria and Sefton area.

Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust encourages flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as; term time, part time, compressed hours, flexi-time and career breaks. We encourage applicants to state clearly on their application forms this request and discuss these options at interview.

Details

Date posted

17 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

351-CEN2368-CC

Job locations

Timber House

Whittingham Lane

Preston

PR3 2JH


Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information about the role, please see the attached recruitment pack which includes a detailed job description and person specification, or visit our website via Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS FT.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information about the role, please see the attached recruitment pack which includes a detailed job description and person specification, or visit our website via Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS FT.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc/MSc in Occupational Therapy
  • HCPC registration
  • Practice Placement Qualification (Undergraduate OT student educator) within 1 year of appointment
  • Willingness to undertake DBT training within 12 months of appointment

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of how mental health problems affect occupational performance and how OT theory guides practice
  • Expert application of OT assessments and interventions with advanced clinical reasoning
  • Awareness of current research and evidence-based practice, with ability to apply it

Experience

Essential

  • Minimum 2 years post-registration experience, including at least 1 year in mental health
  • Extensive clinical experience, including individual and group work in mental health settings
  • Competence in delivering group-based skills training

Skills

Essential

  • Work independently and set priorities for self and others
  • Devise specialist interventions to improve occupational performance
  • Supervise, appraise, and mentor staff
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc/MSc in Occupational Therapy
  • HCPC registration
  • Practice Placement Qualification (Undergraduate OT student educator) within 1 year of appointment
  • Willingness to undertake DBT training within 12 months of appointment

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of how mental health problems affect occupational performance and how OT theory guides practice
  • Expert application of OT assessments and interventions with advanced clinical reasoning
  • Awareness of current research and evidence-based practice, with ability to apply it

Experience

Essential

  • Minimum 2 years post-registration experience, including at least 1 year in mental health
  • Extensive clinical experience, including individual and group work in mental health settings
  • Competence in delivering group-based skills training

Skills

Essential

  • Work independently and set priorities for self and others
  • Devise specialist interventions to improve occupational performance
  • Supervise, appraise, and mentor staff

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

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Timber House

Whittingham Lane

Preston

PR3 2JH


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Timber House

Whittingham Lane

Preston

PR3 2JH


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Team Leader - ATS Central

Dagmara Frankowska

dagmara.frankowska@lscft.nhs.uk

01695684114

Details

Date posted

17 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

351-CEN2368-CC

Job locations

Timber House

Whittingham Lane

Preston

PR3 2JH


Supporting documents

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