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Job summary

Main area
ALD Community
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
346-DDL-015-26-A
Employer
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
East Durham Long Term Integrated Team
Town
Seaham
Salary
£39,959 - £48,117 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
23/08/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust logo

Specialist Occupational Therapist

NHS AfC: Band 6

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care —our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We’re committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won’t rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a competent, confident, and enthusiastic full-time Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join our team. The specialist OT post is based within the East Durham Integrated Learning Disabilities Team, covering East Durham; however, there may be a requirement to work across sites in the North and South. The East Integrated Team is located at Spectrum 8, Seaham.

The multi-disciplinary team works with adults with learning disabilities and their families to deliver holistic, person-centred care, including specialist assessment, risk management, and therapeutic interventions, supporting individuals to live fulfilling and independent lives.

We are looking for an Occupational Therapist who can work flexibly to meet service needs and who brings the vision, energy, and inspiration to develop creative and imaginative approaches to delivering occupational therapy with adults with learning disabilities and their families.

Candidates must have minimum 18 months post qualifying experience of occupational therapy delivery at the point of application

Main duties of the job

As a Specialist Occupational Therapist within TEWV, you will manage a complex caseload independently, assessing occupational performance and delivering specialist occupational therapy interventions. You will always demonstrate adherence to Trust Values and operate as a leader within the team, service, and organisation.

The successful applicant will be responsible for receiving referrals for occupational therapy, triaging and prioritising these, and completing evidence-based assessments and interventions across key occupational areas: self-care, productivity, and leisure. You will use client-centred approaches to co-produce and agree occupational goals and evaluate these collaboratively with service users. In addition, you will participate in clinical/professional and management supervision.

The postholder will contribute to effective multi-disciplinary team working and contribute to and lead on service improvement and quality initiatives. You will use the Trust’s electronic patient record system, adhere to all Trust policies and procedures and respond flexibly and creatively to challenges in service delivery.

You will have access to wider support from the Occupational Therapy network within the TEWV Learning Disabilities Service, enabling you to contribute to the development of a high-quality, needs-led OT service. You will utilise core occupational therapy skills to ensure all individuals have robust assessment and intervention plans in place.

Working for our organisation

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care —our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We’re committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Due to the nature of the role it is essential that applicants are able to travel independently across the locality and have access to a suitable vehicle for business purposes. If necessary, adjustments can be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying. 

You must be able to demonstrate experience in delivering occupational therapy, a commitment to ongoing personal and professional development, and a particular interest in this field of practice. Applications are welcomed from those with transferable skills from a range of clinical settings.

There are a variety of opportunities for training and development, with CPD needs identified and monitored through appraisal.

This job advert may close early if a high volume of applications have been received. If interested, please apply for this post as soon as possible.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Appropriate professional qualification for occupational therapy role
  • Current relevant registration with specific regulatory body

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Minimum 18 months post qualifying experience of occupational therapy delivery (at point of application)
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of supporting people with mental health issues, learning disability or autism
  • Experience of working in Multidisciplinary Team

Knowledge and Skills

Essential criteria
  • Understanding of the needs of people who use our services with mental health conditions or learning disabilities
Desirable criteria
  • Clinical risk assessment and application in practice
  • Knowledge of evidence- based practice in designated specialist area
  • Post graduate training in specialist area if applicable to post (e.g. dysphagia, autism diagnostics)
  • Experience of managing complex occupational therapy cases
  • Awareness of professional standards and its application to practice

Employer certification / accreditation badges

We are a Living Wage EmployerVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerNHS Rainbow badgeStep into healthArmed Forces CovenantBetter Health at Work Gold Award

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Fiona Plummer
Job title
Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07551280447
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