Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist to join the Occupational Therapy team at The Brook, the Regional Learning Disability and Autism Unit in Dawlish. The Brook is a specialist inpatient service supporting adults with a learning disability and autistic adults who present with complex needs and distressed behaviour, within a modern, purpose-built therapeutic environment.
Occupational Therapy is central to the service model, with therapists taking a lead role within core multi-disciplinary teams and contributing specialist occupational perspectives to complex assessment, formulation and intervention planning. The role focuses on delivering evidence-based, neuro-affirming and trauma-informed Occupational Therapy interventions that promote engagement in meaningful occupation, wellbeing, autonomy and quality of life, while supporting the reduction of restrictive practices.
Band 6 Occupational Therapists also contribute to service development, including audit and quality improvement activity and the delivery of training to strengthen occupationally informed practice across the service.
Interview date: Wednesday 25th February 2026
Main duties of the job
As a Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist, you will work as a core member of the multi-disciplinary team, leading on complex occupational assessments and interventions for adults with a learning disability and autistic adults with high levels of need and distress.
You will contribute actively to formulation, care planning, Positive Behaviour Support and risk management, using occupational therapy models and frameworks to inform clinical decision-making. You will support the development of capable and therapeutic environments, meaningful routines and activity programmes that promote regulation, participation and inclusion.
The role includes providing clinical leadership and support to non-qualified staff, and contributing to the supervision and development of Occupational Therapy students and apprentices. Band 6 Occupational Therapists are expected to support audit, quality improvement and training delivery aligned with service and Trust priorities.
The post holder will participate in the internal rotation system, including shift and weekend working, with appropriate paid enhancements.
About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Job
Description and Person Specification which will provide further information on
this role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Job
Description and Person Specification which will provide further information on
this role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy.
- Valid professional HCPC registration.
- Evidence of on-going training and development in the theory and practice of Occupational Therapy.
Desirable
- Further postgraduate training; short specialist courses.
- AMPS post graduate qualification.
- Post graduate training in the theory and application of Sensory Integration.
- Clinical supervisors qualification for student placements.
Experience
Essential
- Substantial post qualification experience.
- Experience of working with people with communication difficulties.
- Experience in managing a diverse workload including those with distressed behaviour and severe and complex disabilities.
- Previous experience of working in a multi-disciplinary community team including those within the wider support network of service users.
- Student supervision.
Desirable
- Administration of standardised assessments.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Clear understanding of the role of the OT within a multidisciplinary inpatient team.
- Sound knowledge and application of OT theory specific to adults with learning disabilities and Autistic Adults, in particular those with complex distressed behaviour, profound physical disability and complex needs, dual diagnosis.
- Understanding of government law and policy with regard to services for people with learning disabilities and Autism including guidance regarding people with complex distressed behaviour (Mental Health Act; DOLS; Safeguarding etc.).
- Highly developed risk assessment knowledge / skills.
- Contribute to developing & delivering training for staff groups & carers in understanding complex distressed behaviour and mental health issues.
- Ability to work autonomously seeking guidance as necessary.
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
- Ability to build effective working relationships in stressful and demanding situations.
- Experience of working with people with communication difficulties and in the use of total Communication.
- Ability to educate and inform other professionals about the role of Occupational Therapy in Learning Disabilities and Autism.
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own and others performance.
- Problem solving skills.
- Ability to understand causes of distressed behaviour and adapt responses appropriately.
- Workload management and ability to work autonomously and set own priorities.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy.
- Valid professional HCPC registration.
- Evidence of on-going training and development in the theory and practice of Occupational Therapy.
Desirable
- Further postgraduate training; short specialist courses.
- AMPS post graduate qualification.
- Post graduate training in the theory and application of Sensory Integration.
- Clinical supervisors qualification for student placements.
Experience
Essential
- Substantial post qualification experience.
- Experience of working with people with communication difficulties.
- Experience in managing a diverse workload including those with distressed behaviour and severe and complex disabilities.
- Previous experience of working in a multi-disciplinary community team including those within the wider support network of service users.
- Student supervision.
Desirable
- Administration of standardised assessments.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Clear understanding of the role of the OT within a multidisciplinary inpatient team.
- Sound knowledge and application of OT theory specific to adults with learning disabilities and Autistic Adults, in particular those with complex distressed behaviour, profound physical disability and complex needs, dual diagnosis.
- Understanding of government law and policy with regard to services for people with learning disabilities and Autism including guidance regarding people with complex distressed behaviour (Mental Health Act; DOLS; Safeguarding etc.).
- Highly developed risk assessment knowledge / skills.
- Contribute to developing & delivering training for staff groups & carers in understanding complex distressed behaviour and mental health issues.
- Ability to work autonomously seeking guidance as necessary.
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
- Ability to build effective working relationships in stressful and demanding situations.
- Experience of working with people with communication difficulties and in the use of total Communication.
- Ability to educate and inform other professionals about the role of Occupational Therapy in Learning Disabilities and Autism.
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own and others performance.
- Problem solving skills.
- Ability to understand causes of distressed behaviour and adapt responses appropriately.
- Workload management and ability to work autonomously and set own priorities.
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.
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.
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).
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