Job summary
Are you a creative Occupational Therapist with an interest in mental health rehabilitation? Are you passionate about occupational outcomes and being part of meaningful change for a person?
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join the Occupational Therapy Team within High Dependency Rehabilitation at Bowmere Hospital, as part of the Specialist Mental Health care group. This is a full-time permanent position; job share and part time applications would be considered.
Shortlisting for this vacancy is due to commence on 06/05/2026 and the proposed interview date is 19/05/2026
Main duties of the job
Our High Dependency Rehabilitation service is based on Maple ward, this has 18 males including 7 service users who are in step down beds from forensic services. Our service provides opportunities for mental health service users with complex mental health and emotional needs to develop skills in activities of daily living and relapse prevention and transition towards longer term appropriate placements. Service users stay within the service for up to 12 months which allows opportunity to work on occupational goals and build therapeutic relationships.
We have an established Occupational Therapy service and clinical pathways, and work as part of an integrated multidisciplinary team. Allied Health Professions are a valued part of the team, which includes Occupational Therapy Technical Instructors, a dedicated Physiotherapy service and a gym run by the fitness instructors.
About us
The postholder will be expected to have oversight of the clinical work on the ward as well as holding a complex caseload, providing Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions to service users and offering leadership and clinical guidance to junior staff. The role also includes development and facilitation of group therapy activities on the ward and in the community. There is scope to bring your own creativity and ideas to develop the service.
This is an ideal post for an adaptable and creative practitioner who has experience within mental health settings. The postholder would be expected to lead on service development to create further opportunities for service users within the rehabilitation setting.
The post sits within a supportive team, with clinical supervision provided by a Specialist Occupational Therapist within the team. There is scope to engage with wider Allied Health Profession networks within Bowmere Hospital and the Trust, and excellent opportunities for practice placement education and CPD.
We would consider this as a progressional post for a Band 5 to meet competencies for a band 6. Please contact for more information around this.
This post would be an excellent opportunity for an individual to develop their career in the specialism of mental health.
For more information or to arrange a visit, please contact Olivia Bartley Lead Occupational Therapist on 01244 397291.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please download a copy of the job description (see documents to download section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.
At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.
CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trusts Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trusts Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.
An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please download a copy of the job description (see documents to download section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.
At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.
CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trusts Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trusts Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.
An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma, BSc or MSc in Occupational Therapy
- Registration with Health Professions Council
- Experience as Practice Placement Educator
Desirable
- Postgraduate clinical training relevant to the post
- Leadership or management training
Knowledge and Expertise
Essential
- Specialist clinical skills relevant to the role
- Current disability equipment training or be willing to gain as appropriate for the post
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Good knowledge and awareness of current legislation and guidance pertaining to Mental Health services and implications for Occupational Therapy
- Ability to work under pressure and set priorities
- Good knowledge of effective care co-ordination and planning of treatment packages
- Ability to manage own caseload and work as part of a team
- Group leadership skills
- Excellent negotiation and organisational skills, with individuals and groups
- Working knowledge of clinical governance principles
- Computer literacy
- Skills in moving and handling
- Appreciation of the 6Cs and person-centred care.
Desirable
- Training, presentation and facilitation skills
- Ability to resolve complex professional and ethical issues
- Research experience
Experience
Essential
- At least 18 months experience in mental health
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary environment
- Experience of supervising and supporting junior staff and students
- Experience of using appraisal process
- Documented evidence of Continued Professional Development
- Working knowledge of clinical audit
- Experience of introducing new and innovative interventions
Desirable
- Minimum of 3 years post registration experience
- Experience of care co-ordination
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma, BSc or MSc in Occupational Therapy
- Registration with Health Professions Council
- Experience as Practice Placement Educator
Desirable
- Postgraduate clinical training relevant to the post
- Leadership or management training
Knowledge and Expertise
Essential
- Specialist clinical skills relevant to the role
- Current disability equipment training or be willing to gain as appropriate for the post
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Good knowledge and awareness of current legislation and guidance pertaining to Mental Health services and implications for Occupational Therapy
- Ability to work under pressure and set priorities
- Good knowledge of effective care co-ordination and planning of treatment packages
- Ability to manage own caseload and work as part of a team
- Group leadership skills
- Excellent negotiation and organisational skills, with individuals and groups
- Working knowledge of clinical governance principles
- Computer literacy
- Skills in moving and handling
- Appreciation of the 6Cs and person-centred care.
Desirable
- Training, presentation and facilitation skills
- Ability to resolve complex professional and ethical issues
- Research experience
Experience
Essential
- At least 18 months experience in mental health
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary environment
- Experience of supervising and supporting junior staff and students
- Experience of using appraisal process
- Documented evidence of Continued Professional Development
- Working knowledge of clinical audit
- Experience of introducing new and innovative interventions
Desirable
- Minimum of 3 years post registration experience
- Experience of care co-ordination
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).
