Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 03 May 2026

Job summary

Are you an HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist with a passion for working with people experiencing severe mental illness in a recovery-focused way? Would you like to join a highly supportive service that values teamwork and shared learning?

We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated Occupational Therapist to join the Community Rehabilitation Service - Bognor Regis Hub. You will support people with complex or treatment-resistant psychosis, or related significant mental illness, in line with NICE rehabilitation guidance. The role involves delivering and developing evidence-based, recovery-focused interventions that promote independence and enable people to lead fulfilling lives.

This post includes a Lead Practitioner role on the long-term pathway, with a reduced caseload, alongside leading the short-term pathway and overseeing group interventions, supported by an OT Technician.

This vacancy is ideal for a Band 6 Occupational Therapist, although a Band 5-6 development post will be considered for the right candidate. Experience of working with severe and enduring mental health needs is desirable, and we welcome applicants with experience of working with older adults, as the service supports adults of all ages.

The service operates Monday to Friday, 9:00-17:00, with Bank Holiday cover (excluding Christmas Day) on a rota basis.

Informal enquiries and visits are warmly welcomed.

Main duties of the job

As a Lead Practitioner & Senior Occupational Therapist, you will:

Deliver client-centred Occupational Therapy and generic interventions, including assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation
Complete and maintain robust risk assessments to support safe and effective care
Develop, review and implement recovery-focused care plans reflecting individual strengths, needs and goals
Build and maintain strong therapeutic relationships to promote engagement and recovery
Take a lead role in promoting and developing Occupational Therapy within the service and wider MDT
Produce high-quality clinical documentation, including care plans, progress notes and risk assessments
Work collaboratively within the MDT while demonstrating the ability to work autonomously and exercise professional judgement
Contribute to service development, quality improvement and reflective practice

We are looking for someone who is:

Compassionate and client-focused, with a commitment to recovery-oriented practice
Highly organised, flexible and adaptable in a dynamic clinical environment
Confident in managing complex clinical situations and risk
A strong team player able to take leadership within their role
Skilled at building rapport and maintaining therapeutic relationships
Experienced in clear, accurate and timely documentation
Passionate about advocating for and developing Occupational Therapy

About us

Our service provides inter-professional community mental health rehabilitation for people who require more intensive support than is available through Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams. We work with individuals in their own homes, NHS sites and community settings, delivering compassionate, person-centred care to promote recovery. Collaboration sits at the heart of the service, with strong teamwork supporting consistent and responsive care.

The Sussex Community Rehabilitation Service is delivered through locality-based Hubs across the Trust. In West Sussex there are three Hubs, based in Bognor Regis (this post), Worthing and Horsham. The service offers both short- and longer-term pathways. Short-term pathways provide time-limited community rehabilitation support for up to 16 weeks, while longer-term pathways offer care coordination, typically for a minimum of three years.

Our team-based model fosters a highly supportive environment for both the people we support and our staff.

What We Offer

A supportive and collaborative team, including regular supervision and reflective practice
Opportunities for professional development and leadership growth
The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to people's lives
Quarterly West Sussex CRS CPD days
Local, divisional and national Occupational Therapy development and networking opportunities
Encouragement to access the Trust-wide AHP training offer

Date posted

17 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

354-AC-21276

Job locations

The Bedale Centre

Glencathara Road

Bognor Regis

PO21 2SF

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please also see the attached Job Description & Person Specification:

To manage a caseload of clients with complex mental health needs with a primary diagnosis of psychosis.
To provide specialist clinical advice and input for clients with complex problems and needs.
To ensure Occupational Therapy contribution to the provision of quality clinical care and performance standards.
To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of occupational therapy and local multi-professional services.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please also see the attached Job Description & Person Specification:

To manage a caseload of clients with complex mental health needs with a primary diagnosis of psychosis.
To provide specialist clinical advice and input for clients with complex problems and needs.
To ensure Occupational Therapy contribution to the provision of quality clinical care and performance standards.
To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of occupational therapy and local multi-professional services.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Degree/ Diploma in Occupational Therapy from a qualifying course for HCPC registration
Registration with the HCPC as an occupational therapist

Desirable

Practice Education training

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

Experience as a qualified occupational therapist in mental health
Experience of both group and individual work
Experience in applying a range of assessment tools and a comprehensive knowledge of occupational therapy clinical approaches used in mental health

Desirable

Experience in a clinical area related to the post

Skills

Essential

Able to communication complex condition related information to service users, carers and colleagues
Develop partnership working with individuals, groups, communities and agencies.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Degree/ Diploma in Occupational Therapy from a qualifying course for HCPC registration
Registration with the HCPC as an occupational therapist

Desirable

Practice Education training

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

Experience as a qualified occupational therapist in mental health
Experience of both group and individual work
Experience in applying a range of assessment tools and a comprehensive knowledge of occupational therapy clinical approaches used in mental health

Desirable

Experience in a clinical area related to the post

Skills

Essential

Able to communication complex condition related information to service users, carers and colleagues
Develop partnership working with individuals, groups, communities and agencies.

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).