East London NHS Foundation Trust

Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 15 March 2026

Job summary

Would you like to join our innovative and dynamic Occupational Therapy service? We are seeking a passionate and skilled Occupational Therapist to join our Working Age Community Mental Health Service

This exciting opportunity is based at Meadow lodge, Steppingley hospital where you will work across Ampthill and Biggleswade.

If you are ready to make a difference and bring your expertise to our team, we encourage you to apply!

UK LICENSE & CAR DRIVER ESSENTIAL

Main duties of the job

This is a fantastic opportunity to work with individuals experiencing mental health difficulties, supporting them in their recovery journey. As part of a multi-disciplinary team, you will use your strong clinical assessment skills and specialist OT interventions to enhance the lives of people in the community. Your role will involve utilizing assessment and evaluation tools such as theModel of Human Occupation as well as implementing group-based programs to promote well-being and self-management of mental health.

About us

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve.

Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Details

Date posted

02 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

363-BED7782932

Job locations

Meadow Lodge at Steppingley Hospital

Ampthill Road

Ampthill

MK45 1AB


Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

  • Manage your workload effectively, balancing individual interventions and group programs.
  • Work as an integral member of theCommunity Teamto ensure holistic care for service users.
  • Collaborate with other OTs and multi-disciplinary professionals to provide comprehensive care.
  • Support clients and their carers with a compassionate approach to mental health recovery.
  • Participate inprofessional supervision,CPD events, andservice development.

What We Offer:

  • Asupportive induction periodto help you reach your full potential.
  • Regular managerial and professional supervision to support your career development.
  • MonthlyCPD eventsand opportunities forquality improvementand professional development.
  • A team that valuesstaff well-being, with a focus on creating a positive and inclusive working environment.

Interested?If youre passionate about making a positive difference in peoples lives and are ready to join a supportive and innovative team, wed love to hear from you.

For more information or any inquiries, please contactSihle Mwelaatsihle.mwela@nhs.net.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

  • Manage your workload effectively, balancing individual interventions and group programs.
  • Work as an integral member of theCommunity Teamto ensure holistic care for service users.
  • Collaborate with other OTs and multi-disciplinary professionals to provide comprehensive care.
  • Support clients and their carers with a compassionate approach to mental health recovery.
  • Participate inprofessional supervision,CPD events, andservice development.

What We Offer:

  • Asupportive induction periodto help you reach your full potential.
  • Regular managerial and professional supervision to support your career development.
  • MonthlyCPD eventsand opportunities forquality improvementand professional development.
  • A team that valuesstaff well-being, with a focus on creating a positive and inclusive working environment.

Interested?If youre passionate about making a positive difference in peoples lives and are ready to join a supportive and innovative team, wed love to hear from you.

For more information or any inquiries, please contactSihle Mwelaatsihle.mwela@nhs.net.

Person Specification

Education/ Qualification/ Training

Essential

  • Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
  • State Registration
  • UK Driving license with access to a vehicle

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience highly related to the clinical field
  • Experience of staff supervision
  • Experience of CPD and role development activities

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Applied psychological perspectives relevant to OT in mental health including behavioural, cognitive, psychoanalytic and humanistic perspectives
  • The impact of mental health difficulties upon occupational functioning (self-care, productivity and leisure) and performance components (i.e. inter and intra personal, cognitive, physical)
  • Clinical skills in order to carry out OT interventions (e.g. psychotherapeutic, interactive and activity based interventions, cognitive behavioural interventions, psychosocial and psycho-educational interventions)
  • Working application of risk assessment issues and its application to practice

Desirable

  • research and auditing

Other

Essential

  • Capacity to undertake physical skills required, facilitating a wide range of activities both on a one-to-one and group basis, including using equipment as required.
  • Mental and emotional effort required to undertake intense concentration required for clinical consultations and interventions on both a one-to-one and group basis
  • Mental and emotional effort required to undertake intense concentration for holistic formulations; report writing etc. with frequent interruptions
Person Specification

Education/ Qualification/ Training

Essential

  • Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
  • State Registration
  • UK Driving license with access to a vehicle

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience highly related to the clinical field
  • Experience of staff supervision
  • Experience of CPD and role development activities

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Applied psychological perspectives relevant to OT in mental health including behavioural, cognitive, psychoanalytic and humanistic perspectives
  • The impact of mental health difficulties upon occupational functioning (self-care, productivity and leisure) and performance components (i.e. inter and intra personal, cognitive, physical)
  • Clinical skills in order to carry out OT interventions (e.g. psychotherapeutic, interactive and activity based interventions, cognitive behavioural interventions, psychosocial and psycho-educational interventions)
  • Working application of risk assessment issues and its application to practice

Desirable

  • research and auditing

Other

Essential

  • Capacity to undertake physical skills required, facilitating a wide range of activities both on a one-to-one and group basis, including using equipment as required.
  • Mental and emotional effort required to undertake intense concentration required for clinical consultations and interventions on both a one-to-one and group basis
  • Mental and emotional effort required to undertake intense concentration for holistic formulations; report writing etc. with frequent interruptions

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

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).

Employer details

Employer name

East London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Meadow Lodge at Steppingley Hospital

Ampthill Road

Ampthill

MK45 1AB


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

East London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Meadow Lodge at Steppingley Hospital

Ampthill Road

Ampthill

MK45 1AB


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head OT for Community

Sihle Mwela

sihle.mwela@nhs.net

07557087782

Details

Date posted

02 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

363-BED7782932

Job locations

Meadow Lodge at Steppingley Hospital

Ampthill Road

Ampthill

MK45 1AB


Supporting documents

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