Job summary
- Main area
- Mental Health
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 364-B-500
- Employer
- Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Herrick House
- Town
- Colchester
- Salary
- £49,387 - £56,515 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 08/10/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist
Band 7
Please be aware that, due to current allocation constraints, Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) are being prioritised for registered roles at this time.
Our Trust cares for more than 100,000 patients at any one time across our community health, mental health and learning disability services across Essex and parts of Bedfordshire and Suffolk.
We want you to be part of our journey of transformation, where our patients and their families are at the heart of everything we do and to achieve our vision to be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care.
You’ll be part of a Trust where you will be supported to be your authentic self and be the best you can be, where we will help you to grow, develop and thrive.
The Trust is recognised by the University of Essex and is a top provider of apprenticeships for people looking to be an assistant practitioner, senior health care support worker (CAP). Our trailblazing CAP apprenticeship won a national HSJ Award.
We are also recognised as a Veteran Aware Trust and holder of gold accreditation from the Ministry of Defence Employment Recognition Scheme. Our services are highlighted as an exemplar of good practice, producing the best care for more than 3.500 armed forces veterans in the past seven years.
We have been shortlisted and won national awards. We are an inclusive organisation and Level 3 Disability Confident Leader Trust.
We are constantly innovating and looking for new ways to deliver care, such as using technology to enhance patient care and working with partners to launch new services such as the Basildon Mental Health Urgent Care Department, virtual hospitals and falls response cars.
Join us and you’ll do the best work of your life – and make a difference to other people’s lives. What we do together, matters.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated Occupational Therapist to join the Adult Community Mental Health Team in Colchester as Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist.
We are seeking an inspirational clinician and leader who is passionate about delivering high-quality, recovery-focused mental health care and championing the role of Occupational Therapy within community services. The successful candidate will provide professional and clinical leadership to the Occupational Therapy workforce and the wider MDT professions, supporting the delivery of evidence-based interventions that promote independence, social inclusion, meaningful activity, and recovery.
The post holder will work as a senior member of the multidisciplinary team, combining advanced clinical practice with leadership responsibilities. They will lead the development of Occupational Therapy services across the locality, support workforce development, and contribute to service improvement initiatives that enhance outcomes for people experiencing complex mental health difficulties.
Working closely with Team Leads, Clinical Managers, Professional Leads and the wider MDT, the post holder will play a key role in shaping and developing services in line with EPUT's strategic priorities and transformation agenda.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will work as a Clinical Lead within the locality based mental health team, with direct leadership and line management responsibility for the Occupational Therapy team and provision. As a core senior practitioner within the SCMHT they will also support the delivery of services as part of wider multi-disciplinary and senior teams.
The post holder will have the opportunity to utilise clinical skills as they contribute directly with the management of people with complex care needs, and leadership skills providing supervision and shaping the delivery of services.
Working for our organisation
Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.
- Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
- Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
- If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
- We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.
Benefits
- 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
- Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
- Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
- £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
- Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.
Work that wraps around your needs
- Work bank: You can use the opportunity to supplement your income and develop your skills by working bank shifts.
- Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
- Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification for full details of role and responsibilities.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- OT degree/Diploma
- HCPC registration
Desirable criteria
- Leadership training
Experience
Essential criteria
- Working with those with Mental Health Problems
- Use of a variety of therapeutic interventions
Desirable criteria
- Working within community delivery of MH
Leadership
Essential criteria
- Responsibility within the workplace for development/delivery of new initiatives
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Matthew Waters
- Job title
- AHP Lead and Clinical Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01375898828
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