Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 19 January 2026

Job summary

We are looking to recruit a full time Band 6 Occupational Therapist working in the community across Reading, Wokingham and Newbury Learning Disability services as required but will be based in Reading.

This innovative role requires a diverse set of skills including knowledge and experience around equipment provision, manual handling, excellent communication, and organisational skills and requires a creative approach to practice. No two days are ever the same.

The team promotes a truly client centred ethos and multi-disciplinary style of working. Close collaboration with families, carers and external stakeholders is required in order to enhance the health and well-being of people with learning disabilities.

Experience of working with this delightful client group in the community is desirable but applicants with an open mind and relevant transferable skills will be considered.

The successful candidate will be a confident and competent practitioner providing assessment, treatment, planning and therapy provision for adults with learning disabilities with complex needs.

The Occupational Therapy service offers regular supervision, opportunities for service development and training in specialist areas such as sensory integration.

Main duties of the job

  • Planning and delivery of Occupational Therapy to clients with learning disabilities
  • Support hospital discharge referrals to promote the independence of service users on the caseload andidentifyany long-term needs.
  • Provision of equipment to promote independence and safety.
  • Hold a caseload and work autonomously
  • Work flexibly to ensure urgent referrals are adequately managed
  • Supporting colleagues in the delivery of compassionate,safeand structured care
  • Plan and provide treatment in collaboration with others as appropriate
  • Provide guidance andappropriate delegationto therapy assistants in the team
  • Managing a caseload of service users with complex needs
  • Regular joint work with other members of the team
  • Supervision of OT students

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

Details

Date posted

05 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£40,617 to £48,778 a year per annum (Incl of HCAS)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

371-CFS638-A

Job locations

Erlegh House

University of Reading, Whiteknights Road

Reading

RG6 6BZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

The must have's for this role:

  • HCPC registration as a Occupational Therapist and excellent communications skills
  • Understanding the Physical, Mental and Social needs of people with learning disabilities
  • Car driver with a valid UK driving license with ability and readiness to be flexible within working days.
  • Right to live and work in the UK

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.

We're committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Lakshmi Leela on 07733225601 or email: Lakshmi.Leela@berkshire.nhs.uk who'll be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The must have's for this role:

  • HCPC registration as a Occupational Therapist and excellent communications skills
  • Understanding the Physical, Mental and Social needs of people with learning disabilities
  • Car driver with a valid UK driving license with ability and readiness to be flexible within working days.
  • Right to live and work in the UK

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.

We're committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Lakshmi Leela on 07733225601 or email: Lakshmi.Leela@berkshire.nhs.uk who'll be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/ Training

Essential

  • Diploma / Degree in Occupational Therapy
  • State Registration with HCPC

Continuous Professional Development

Desirable

  • Evidence of Continuous Professional Development

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary environment.

Desirable

  • Previous OT experience with people with Learning disabilities
  • Working with families
  • Working with people that have a learning disability.
  • Working with people who challenge.
  • Work with people with mental health problems.
  • Work with people with complex/profound disabilities.
  • Working with people who have Dementia.
  • Working with people who have Epilepsy.
  • To have post qualification experience of working as an OT for 2 years
  • To have post qualification experience of working with people with a learning disability, for 1 year.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Highly developed interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work autonomously.
  • Ability to effectively manage self and others e.g. Time management caseload management.
  • Able to demonstrate reflective practice.
  • Ability to use a range of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions.
  • Ability to assess and manage clinical risk.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of approaches to challenging behaviour.
  • Understanding/knowledge of current philosophies of care
  • Ability to relate theory/research to practice
  • Awareness of research methods.

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • To hold a full valid driving licence and have access to a car daily.
  • Basic computer skills
  • Ability to travel to multiple sites
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/ Training

Essential

  • Diploma / Degree in Occupational Therapy
  • State Registration with HCPC

Continuous Professional Development

Desirable

  • Evidence of Continuous Professional Development

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary environment.

Desirable

  • Previous OT experience with people with Learning disabilities
  • Working with families
  • Working with people that have a learning disability.
  • Working with people who challenge.
  • Work with people with mental health problems.
  • Work with people with complex/profound disabilities.
  • Working with people who have Dementia.
  • Working with people who have Epilepsy.
  • To have post qualification experience of working as an OT for 2 years
  • To have post qualification experience of working with people with a learning disability, for 1 year.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Highly developed interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work autonomously.
  • Ability to effectively manage self and others e.g. Time management caseload management.
  • Able to demonstrate reflective practice.
  • Ability to use a range of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions.
  • Ability to assess and manage clinical risk.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of approaches to challenging behaviour.
  • Understanding/knowledge of current philosophies of care
  • Ability to relate theory/research to practice
  • Awareness of research methods.

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • To hold a full valid driving licence and have access to a car daily.
  • Basic computer skills
  • Ability to travel to multiple sites

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

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Erlegh House

University of Reading, Whiteknights Road

Reading

RG6 6BZ


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Erlegh House

University of Reading, Whiteknights Road

Reading

RG6 6BZ


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Health Team Lead

Lakshmi Leela

lakshmi.leela@berkshire.nhs.uk

01182143298

Details

Date posted

05 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£40,617 to £48,778 a year per annum (Incl of HCAS)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

371-CFS638-A

Job locations

Erlegh House

University of Reading, Whiteknights Road

Reading

RG6 6BZ


Supporting documents

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