Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT

Occupational Therapy Assistant

The closing date is 15 December 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity is available to work within the Adult Forensic Secure Mental Health setting, providing a quality service to service users who are deemed to have complex and challenging mental health needs.

You would work alongside a large established team of Occupational Therapists and support staff to deliver a clinical programme of individual and group work.

The Occupational Therapy service has a wide range of resources that support the patient journey towards discharge. These include a dedicated skills and education centre, a fully equipped gymnasium and sports hall and access to the unit Recovery Academy.

The department is committed to staff wellbeing and progression. Regular supervision, the appraisal process and continuing development opportunities are established and welcomed.

Applicants should note that an enhanced disclosure check via the DBS will be required before appointment.

Main duties of the job

To work with Occupational Therapists to address the following in groups and in one to one sessions:-

  • Motivation for Occupation - To support, motivate and encourage patients to engage in Occupational Therapy interventions.
  • Pattern of Occupation - To support patients to address their Activities of Daily Living needs and work towards an organised and productive daily routine.
  • Communication and Interaction Skills - To work with patients to develop and improve all aspects of their communication skills to enable them to function in all aspects of their daily lives.
  • Process Skills - To support patients to develop skills in organisation, problem solving, concentration and memory.
  • Motor Skills - To support patients to develop the necessary physical skills which will enable them to function independently
  • Environment - To enable patients to function as independently as possible, maximise opportunities to learn new or maintain existing skills and minimise the impact of the restrictive environment.

About us

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7,000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122locations.

We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford,Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

Details

Date posted

01 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

437-7571279

Job locations

Riverside centre

Bury New Road

Prestwich

M25 3BL


Job description

Job responsibilities

See attached detailed job description and person specification:

Staff benefits

  • 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
  • Excellent pension
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Salary sacrifice car scheme
  • Wellbeing programme
  • Blue Light Card Discounts

Job description

Job responsibilities

See attached detailed job description and person specification:

Staff benefits

  • 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
  • Excellent pension
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Salary sacrifice car scheme
  • Wellbeing programme
  • Blue Light Card Discounts

Person Specification

Understanding of Occupational Therapy

Essential

  • Knowledge of mental health disorders

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a secure mental health setting
  • Experience of group facilitation

Experience

Essential

  • Computer literacy
Person Specification

Understanding of Occupational Therapy

Essential

  • Knowledge of mental health disorders

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a secure mental health setting
  • Experience of group facilitation

Experience

Essential

  • Computer literacy

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).

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT

Address

Riverside centre

Bury New Road

Prestwich

M25 3BL


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT

Address

Riverside centre

Bury New Road

Prestwich

M25 3BL


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Specialist Forensic Occupational Therapist

Zoe Briggs

Zoe.briggs@gmmh.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

01 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

437-7571279

Job locations

Riverside centre

Bury New Road

Prestwich

M25 3BL


Supporting documents

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