Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic, dynamic, and experienced Occupational Therapist to join our multidisciplinary team within Forward Thinking Birmingham. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a unique, city-wide mental health service supporting children and young people. As a Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, you will work as part of a vibrant, supportive and highly skilled MDT to provide a high-quality, evidence-based Occupational Therapy Service for children and young people experiencing a range of complex mental health needs.
We are looking for someone who:
- Is driven to improve outcomes for children and young people with mental health difficulties
- Is skilled and experienced in working with complexity and diversity within mental health services
- Values co-production, early intervention, and promotes recovery and participation through a strength-based ethos
- Can provide clinical leadership and supervision to junior OT staff and support MDT colleagues
In return, we offer:
- A supportive and inclusive team culture, with a strong focus on wellbeing and development
- Opportunities to contribute to service innovation and development
- Access to a wide range of CPD and leadership development opportunities
The post holder will be based at The Oaklands Centre but will need to be able to travel to different hubs and locations across the city.
Main duties of the job
You will bring your clinical expertise to assess, plan and deliver specialist OT interventions, 1-1 and groupwork, while also contributing to the development of the OT service and providing clinical leadership. You will have the opportunity to shape and lead on providing collaborative, trauma-informed and autism-affirming person-centered care, working to reduce barriers and support meaningful engagement in daily life.
The postholder will:
- Work within the South Core hub, as part of the wider MDT, to deliver holistic and integrated care plans, ensuring occupational therapy is embedded within a shared formulation and intervention approach
- Provide specialist Occupational Therapy assessment and 1-1 and group interventions to children and young people (aged 0 - 25) experiencing a wide range of mental health difficulties, including those who are neurodivergent and/or have complex needs .
- Work collaboratively with families, carers, educational providers, social care and other agencies to promote recovery, participation and emotional wellbeing.
- Offer clinical leadership and supervision to junior OT staff and support professional development across the wider team.
- Contribute to service development and improvement initiatives within the OT team and in line with divisional and trust wide priorities.
About us
Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.
Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people's lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details of the role and responsibilities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details of the role and responsibilities.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Occupational Therapy Degree/Diploma
- HCPC registration
- Evidence of skills / further training in the area of working with complex mental health difficulties and presentation
Desirable
- Experience of using Occupational Case Formulation
- Evidence of successful completion and maintenance of a specialist modality for example: Sensory Integration training; Sensory Attachment intervention; AMPS, DBT skills
- Evidence of further training in the area of working with children and young people
Knowledge
Essential
- Extensive post-graduate experience of CAMHS and/or mental health experience
- Advanced knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to child/mental health occupational therapy
- Experience of working with mental health risk and positive risk taking such as increasing protective factors
Desirable
- Experience of teaching, training, staff support, research, supervision
- Knowledge of attachment/trauma theory and implications on physical, social and emotional development and functional skills
Skills
Essential
- Experience of using specialist mental health approaches including working with neurodiversity, complex trauma and learning disabilities/difficulties
- Able to work with clients, families and network in crisis and resistant to professional input
- Experience of audit and understanding of research principles
- Experience of championing the role of OT at system levels
- Excellent personal management skills such as resilience, self-care, seeking support
Desirable
- Experience of contributing to planning and evaluation of services
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Occupational Therapy Degree/Diploma
- HCPC registration
- Evidence of skills / further training in the area of working with complex mental health difficulties and presentation
Desirable
- Experience of using Occupational Case Formulation
- Evidence of successful completion and maintenance of a specialist modality for example: Sensory Integration training; Sensory Attachment intervention; AMPS, DBT skills
- Evidence of further training in the area of working with children and young people
Knowledge
Essential
- Extensive post-graduate experience of CAMHS and/or mental health experience
- Advanced knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to child/mental health occupational therapy
- Experience of working with mental health risk and positive risk taking such as increasing protective factors
Desirable
- Experience of teaching, training, staff support, research, supervision
- Knowledge of attachment/trauma theory and implications on physical, social and emotional development and functional skills
Skills
Essential
- Experience of using specialist mental health approaches including working with neurodiversity, complex trauma and learning disabilities/difficulties
- Able to work with clients, families and network in crisis and resistant to professional input
- Experience of audit and understanding of research principles
- Experience of championing the role of OT at system levels
- Excellent personal management skills such as resilience, self-care, seeking support
Desirable
- Experience of contributing to planning and evaluation of services
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).
