Job summary
- Main area
- Mental Health
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job share
- Job ref
- 354-AE-21250
- Employer
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- St Marys House
- Town
- Eastbourne
- Salary
- £38,682 - £46,580 PA / Pro rata for part time
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 21/01/2026 08:00
Employer heading
Senior Occupational Therapist
NHS AfC: Band 6
Come and join us
We’re looking for people who share our values of compassion, accountability and optimism to help us provide high quality care for the patients, carers, families and communities we serve. We specialise in NHS mental health and learning disability services and we’re proud to make a difference every day.
At SPFT we put people first. We’ll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. You’ll have opportunities to learn, grow and gain new experiences to support your career, with access to lifelong learning and professional development.
We actively promote flexible working and understand how important work life balance is, especially in healthcare. Whether it’s part time hours, hybrid working or flexible start and finish times, we’ll explore what works for you and the role.
We recognise that AI is becoming part of daily life and you may choose to use it to help prepare your application. We welcome innovation but ask that anything you submit reflects your own abilities, experience and voice. AI can support how you describe your skills and experience, but it should never replace your own words as we want to get to know you.
We’re shaping a workplace where ideas are encouraged, technology supports you and everyone has a voice in how we improve. If that sounds like the kind of organisation you want to be part of, we’d love to hear from you.
Job overview
We are seeking to recruit a passionate, committed Occupational therapist to join our newly established Neighbourhood Mental Health Team (NHMT) in Eastbourne.
To provide occupational therapy interventions for referred clients using evidence based, client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.
To promote and develop the role of Occupational Therapy within the clinical area.
To act as a care coordinator if appropriate.
To manage a caseload of clients.
To provide specialist clinical advice and input for clients with complex problems and needs.
To ensure occupational therapy contribution to the provision of quality clinical care and performance standards.
To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of occupational therapy and local multi-professional services.
Main duties of the job
- As an occupational therapist in our team you will provide specialist occupational therapy assessments and interventions for people referred to the service as well as contributing to the core tasks of the team.
- Contributing to the management of a caseload of individuals with complex needs, you will assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions, which will be delivered in a variety of community settings, including family homes, residential and supported living services, day services and community facilities.
You will have the flexibility to manage your workload in the community, however you will be expected to spend some time working from the central team base in Eastbourne.
This post will be based in Eastbourne and will primarily cover the Eastbourne area. The capacity to work from home remotely where applicable and in agreement with your line manager.
Full time hours are available, but part time hours will also be considered – Minimum 30 hrs per week.
The successful candidate will have a passion for improving the lives of adults living with mental health difficulties, collaborating with colleagues and across services to deliver results, and be passionate about developing their own skills and those of colleagues. You will need to be able to manage your own diary with the ability to adapt and be flexible to suit the needs of the service.
Working for our organisation
With easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow and excellent railway links across the UK there is plenty of opportunity for adventure
We’d love you to join our organisation that is rated ‘good’ overall and ‘outstanding’ for caring by the Care Quality Commission. Our staff agree, with 82% of people in our recent staff survey telling us that they recognise that care for patients is our top priority.
Other key staff survey results include:
· 70% highlighting flexible working opportunities as a key point for satisfaction at work
· 79% reporting feeling able to make suggestions to improve the work within their team
· 77% identifying the opportunities to show initiative in their roles
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
MAIN DUTIES
· To provide occupational therapy interventions for referred clients using evidence based, client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions
- To manage an appropriate complex clinical caseload
- To complete initial assessments on behalf of the team
- To act as a lead practitioner for designated clients
- To contribute to the development of multi-disciplinary best practice clinical guidelines and protocols.
- To contribute to the provision of high-quality practice placements
- To promote evidenced based practice in Occupational therapy.
Staff and Training
Supervise occupational therapy staff and ensure all staff receive a performance review and personal development plan on an annual basis in conjunction with operational managers.
To participate in the annual training analysis for occupational therapy staff in the locality care group.
To contribute to the occupational therapy development plan
To contribute to regular speciality away days
To contribute to the provision of high quality practice placements in liaison with the Practice Education Coordinators.
To provide training to others in line with service training agenda.
To ensure that staff adhere to Health and Safety guidelines and maintain safe environments and working practices.
Research and Development
Contribute and participate in occupational therapy research and development, working with clinical specialist therapist and education providers and in line with Trust and service area research priorities.
Engage actively in practice development, evaluation, audit and research activities relevant to occupational therapy and the directorate
We have a diverse workforce and one that reflects the population we serve. Our workforce is currently under-represented from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic and disabled communities and we would greatly welcome applications from these communities.
Please apply using the link in this advert, or for more information contact:
[email protected] phone 07484 709909
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Degree/Diploma in occupational therapy
- Registration with the HPC as an occupational therapist
Knowledge/Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of multidisciplinary working
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Lauren Ellis
- Job title
- Clinical OT Specialist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07484 709909
- Additional information
Sussex Partnership Trust
Assessment and Treatment Centre
2nd floor St Mary’s House
52 St Leonards Road
Eastbourne
BN21 3UU
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