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Job summary

Main area
Occupational Therapy
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
334-CLI-8140822
Employer
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Maudsley Hospital
Town
London
Salary
£58,133 - £65,261 per annum inclusive of HCAS (Inner)
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
18/08/2026 23:59

Employer heading

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust logo

Team Leader / Occupational Therapist

NHS AfC: Band 7

 

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has a rich history, well-established community links and an international reputation. We deliver specialist services in the London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Wandsworth and Richmond.

We are committed to provide a high quality and specialist care to our service users and we are recognised for our care and treatment we provide. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as ‘good’.

We launched our five-year strategy, Aiming High; Changing Lives  in 2021 together with Our Care Improvement System as our quality management system methodology  to make a positive impact on patient care, outcomes and staff experience. By joining SLaM, all staff will get the opportunity to be part of this exciting improvement journey supported with learning and development to harness everyone’s potential as change makers.

The trust recognises the unique and valuable contribution that people with lived experience of mental illness can bring to a role. We therefore welcome applications from people with lived experience and consider them as an asset to the Trust. 

Our Values

We take pride in providing specialist care to our service users where our Trust values and our promise to be caring, kind, polite, prompt, honest, listen and do what I say I’m going to do is at the heart of everything we do. When you join us, you’ll be part of something special.

As a Trust we are happy to talk flexible working.

Job overview

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Band 7 Occupational Therapist Team Leader to join the Community Autism Service (CAS). The post holder will provide clinical and operational leadership to a multidisciplinary team supporting autistic adults, whilst maintaining a specialist clinical caseload. The role includes assessment, intervention, care planning, supervision, appraisal, service development and quality improvement activities. Based at Maudsley Hospital, the post holder will work across community settings within Lewisham, Lambeth and Southwark as required.

Main duties of the job

  • Provide clinical and operational leadership within the Community Autism Service (CAS).
  • Manage, supervise and support a multidisciplinary team, including undertaking appraisals and performance management.
  • Maintain a specialist clinical caseload, delivering assessments and interventions for autistic adults.
  • Lead care planning, risk assessment and clinical decision-making.
  • Support staff development through supervision, training and mentoring.
  • Lead and support recruitment, induction and workforce development activities.
  • Contribute to service development, quality improvement and clinical governance initiatives.
  • Work collaboratively with service users, carers, families and partner organisations to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.
  • Support the delivery of autism services across community settings in Lewisham, Lambeth and Southwark.
  • Ensure compliance with professional, Trust and statutory standards.

Working for our organisation

At South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), we provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK and are committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners, one of the UK's leading Academic Health Science Centres.
The Community Autism Service is committed to supporting autistic adults through specialist assessment, intervention and multidisciplinary working. This role offers an exciting opportunity to combine clinical expertise with leadership responsibilities, contributing to service development and quality improvement while supporting a dedicated multidisciplinary team.
We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Our values are Kindness, Respect and Together, and these values underpin everything we do.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • Coordinate and oversee the delivery of specialist autism services for adults, ensuring care is safe, effective and responsive to individual needs.
  • Undertake complex assessments and develop formulation-led intervention plans for autistic adults with a range of presentations and support needs.
  • Develop strong partnerships with service users, families, carers, social care services and other agencies to promote integrated care and positive outcomes.
  • Provide professional guidance and clinical expertise to colleagues within the multidisciplinary team.
  • Monitor and evaluate clinical outcomes, service activity and performance standards, contributing to continuous service improvement.
  • Support the implementation of evidence-based practice, clinical governance requirements and Trust policies and procedures.
  • Contribute to audit, research, quality improvement and service development projects to enhance the effectiveness of the service.
  • Represent the Community Autism Service at internal and external meetings, promoting collaborative working across organisations.
  • Maintain accurate clinical records and ensure compliance with professional, legal and information governance standards.
  • Participate in relevant operational, professional and strategic initiatives that support the ongoing development of autism services.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Professional qualification in Occupational Therapy
  • HCPC registration
  • Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable criteria
  • Level 7 qualification or substantial postgraduate training in Autism

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience with neurodevelopmental conditions
  • Experience assessing/treating autistic service users
  • Experience of multidisciplinary working
  • Experience managing staff and providing supervision
  • Experience in multicultural environments
Desirable criteria
  • Change management / QI / service evaluation experience

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Specialist clinical knowledge relevant to the service, including evidence based practice.
  • Working knowledge of all relevant legislation.
  • Knowledge of healthcare accessibility factors
  • Knowledge of a range of therapeutic ideas/approaches, including systemic models, in assessment and treatment relevant to discipline
  • Knowledge of racial and other diversity issues and factors affecting access to health care.
Desirable criteria
  • Ability to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic meetings

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Communicate complex information effectively
  • Ability to manage emotionally stressful situations
  • Work effectively within MDTs
  • Ability to apply clinical governance principles
  • Advanced IT skills
Desirable criteria
  • Training/teaching skills
  • Ability to appraise and disseminate evidence

Employer certification / accreditation badges

London Healthy workplaceCapital Nurse, LondonNo smoking policyLondon Living Wage is a voluntary commitment made by employers, who can become accredited with the Living Wage FoundationImproving working livesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Stonewall Silver 2022Disability confident employerCare Leaver CovenantStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Armed Forces Covenant Bronze AwardHappy to Talk Flexible WorkingArmed Forces Covenant

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Natalie Greenwood
Job title
Service Lead – Adult ADHD and Autism Clinics
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