NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 20 November 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for aBand 7 Lead Occupational Therapist to join the Kent and Medway Adolescent Hospital (KMAH), part of the North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT). KMAH is a 14-bed general adolescent inpatient unit, including three eating disorder pathway beds, set in a modern hospital within beautiful grounds. The role offers the chance to work in an experienced multidisciplinary team (MDT) delivering evidence-based, person-centred care to young people and families, supporting recovery and smooth transitions back to the community.

The successful applicant will provide clinical leadership within the MDT, reporting to the Clinical Lead and Matron. They will supervise a Band 6 OT and several OT Assistants, ensuring delivery of consistent, evidence-based interventions. Key duties include maintaining and enhancing the existing ward OT programme, delivering sensory assessments, and creating individualised therapeutic plans. Collaboration with the Intensive Home Treatment Team (IHTT) will also provide opportunities for community-based interventions.

KMAH works closely with NELFT's locality teams, eating disorder and neurodevelopmental services, and provides a Section 136 health-based place of safety. Staff benefit from strong training, CPD, and research opportunities, including CYP-IAPT and leadership development. This role offers the chance to shape and enhance OT practice across a dynamic adolescent mental health service.

Main duties of the job

The role will require the successful candidate to work as part of the team based in the inpatient setting but with interface with other NELFT services and external stakeholders to ensure service delivery is of a high quality and provided 365 days per year.

As part of the Inpatient service we can offer you:

  • Regular clinical and managerial supervision
  • Support from a robust multi-disciplinary team
  • Training and development opportunities

The post holder will utilise a range of skills and experience gained in clinical practice to perform a specialist, comprehensive assessments using clinical reasoning skills and assessment techniques to formulate a treatment plan based on clinical findings. Excellent communication skills are essential as well as good knowledge of current OT best practice and the ability to work as an effective team member across multi-professional team.

About us

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).

Starting with NELFT

NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop in sessions focussing in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

Use of AI

Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.

Details

Date posted

07 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year pa pro rata (plus HCAS)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

395-KM347-25

Job locations

Kent and Medway Adolescent Hospital

Cranbrook Road

Staplehurst

TN12 0ER


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer closely to this when completing your application.

We welcome your application even if you do not meet all the criteria listed in the person specification. Any development needs to help you succeed in the role, can be discussed at the interview stage.

Certificates of Sponsorship

Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points-based system. When calculating the basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS (High-Cost Area Supplement) is not included to ensure fairness and consistency within our Trust.

Use of AI

Please see attached document regarding acceptable use of AI during the recruitment process.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer closely to this when completing your application.

We welcome your application even if you do not meet all the criteria listed in the person specification. Any development needs to help you succeed in the role, can be discussed at the interview stage.

Certificates of Sponsorship

Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points-based system. When calculating the basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS (High-Cost Area Supplement) is not included to ensure fairness and consistency within our Trust.

Use of AI

Please see attached document regarding acceptable use of AI during the recruitment process.

Person Specification

Quualification

Essential

  • fully qualified Occupational Therapist
  • HCPC registered

Desirable

  • RCOT Registered
  • Community experience

face to face interview

Essential

  • Clinical Skills
  • Leadership

Desirable

  • Computer it
  • administration

face to face interview

Essential

  • Communication
  • training

Desirable

  • car driver
Person Specification

Quualification

Essential

  • fully qualified Occupational Therapist
  • HCPC registered

Desirable

  • RCOT Registered
  • Community experience

face to face interview

Essential

  • Clinical Skills
  • Leadership

Desirable

  • Computer it
  • administration

face to face interview

Essential

  • Communication
  • training

Desirable

  • car driver

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

NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Address

Kent and Medway Adolescent Hospital

Cranbrook Road

Staplehurst

TN12 0ER


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Address

Kent and Medway Adolescent Hospital

Cranbrook Road

Staplehurst

TN12 0ER


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Interim Modern Matron

Sarah Warnock

sarah.warnock@nelft.nhs.uk

03003001985

Details

Date posted

07 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year pa pro rata (plus HCAS)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

395-KM347-25

Job locations

Kent and Medway Adolescent Hospital

Cranbrook Road

Staplehurst

TN12 0ER


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

NELFT North East London Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)