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Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Occupational Therapy Assistant

The closing date is 16 November 2025

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Job summary

Part time: 17 hours per week

We are looking to recruit an occupational therapy assistant to assist qualified staff to deliver therapeutic interventions, including the delivery of Therapeutic groups, to patients with range of mental health conditions and cognitive impairment. The assistant will also support the Living Well Programme at Slough Older People's Mental Health Service.

Are you committed to enabling older people with mental health challenges to live meaningful and fulfilling lives, following a diagnosis?

The successful applicant will work under the guidance of the qualified Occupational Therapist, the post holder will undertake various OT assessments and interventions, and assists in planning, implementing and evaluation of effective, evidenced based care, which is also in line with the individuals' Care Plans. The successful applicant will also assist to implement the individualised care treatment plan by engaging with the individual as required

Main duties of the job

The main duties of the role include:

To complete various OT assessments and interventions

To provide quality care and support

To engage patients and their carers in Therapeutic programmes

To develop Therapeutic relationships with patients, using motivational interviewing techniques and empathy, sensitivity and effective reassurance.

To assist with the assessment and treatment of patients within the OPMH team

To accompany staff on home visits and assessments when required.

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

  • Caring for and about you is our top priority
  • Committed to providing good quality, safe services
  • Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

  • Flexible working options to support work-life balance
  • 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
  • Generous NHS pension scheme
  • Excellent learning and career development opportunities
  • 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
  • Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
  • Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
  • Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
  • Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
  • Free parking across Trust sites

FOR SECONDMENT ROLES ONLY - If the secondment role becomes permanent, the successful candidate may be offered the permanent position.

Details

Date posted

07 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,860 to £31,671 a year per annum, pro rata (incl of HCAS)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

371-MHS903-A

Job locations

OPMH Services Slough

Slough

SL1 2BJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

The must haves for this role:

1. Experience of working in a mental health setting

2. Ability to drive and access to a car

3. Ability to facilitate groups

4. Be flexible to support the team as required

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification. We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted. For further application tips see the help with your application document attached once you click apply.

If youre someone who shares our passion for excellence and care, you belong at Berkshire Healthcare!

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where required.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The must haves for this role:

1. Experience of working in a mental health setting

2. Ability to drive and access to a car

3. Ability to facilitate groups

4. Be flexible to support the team as required

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification. We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted. For further application tips see the help with your application document attached once you click apply.

If youre someone who shares our passion for excellence and care, you belong at Berkshire Healthcare!

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where required.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • Good basic education

Desirable

  • NVQ Level II/III

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Good observation skills
  • Good reporting skills
  • Ability to apply sound judgement
  • The ability to engage and inspire confidence
  • Excellent written and communication skills
  • Ability to teach practical skills to patients.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of a range of therapeutic interventions available for individuals experiencing mental health problems

Knowledge

Essential

  • Ability to work with other disciplines and organisations
  • Good negotiation and problem solving skills
  • Customer service orientation
  • Report writing skills

Desirable

  • Up to date knowledge of mental health policies
  • Ability to work and make decisions under pressure

Previous Experience

Essential

  • The ability to engage and inspire confidence

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a Mental Health setting as an OTA.

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Full UK driving license and use of a car
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Demonstrate skills in identifying and reporting risks
  • Ability to work flexible hours
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • Good basic education

Desirable

  • NVQ Level II/III

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Good observation skills
  • Good reporting skills
  • Ability to apply sound judgement
  • The ability to engage and inspire confidence
  • Excellent written and communication skills
  • Ability to teach practical skills to patients.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of a range of therapeutic interventions available for individuals experiencing mental health problems

Knowledge

Essential

  • Ability to work with other disciplines and organisations
  • Good negotiation and problem solving skills
  • Customer service orientation
  • Report writing skills

Desirable

  • Up to date knowledge of mental health policies
  • Ability to work and make decisions under pressure

Previous Experience

Essential

  • The ability to engage and inspire confidence

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a Mental Health setting as an OTA.

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Full UK driving license and use of a car
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Demonstrate skills in identifying and reporting risks
  • Ability to work flexible hours

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

OPMH Services Slough

Slough

SL1 2BJ


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

OPMH Services Slough

Slough

SL1 2BJ


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Service Manager

Rashieda Ebrahim@berkshire.nhs.uk

rashieda.ebrahim@berkshire.nhs.uk

07490224456

Details

Date posted

07 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,860 to £31,671 a year per annum, pro rata (incl of HCAS)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

371-MHS903-A

Job locations

OPMH Services Slough

Slough

SL1 2BJ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)