Job overview

Are you keen to work a fascinating and ever-changing environment? 

Are you curious, creative and always looking for new learning opportunities and ways to implement this into practice?

We have a Band 4 Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor vacancy in our Occupational Therapy team at the Hellingly Centre, a medium secure inpatient service for male and female service users.

Forensic mental healthcare is a unique and fascinating field which provides both challenge and opportunity in abundance.

At the Hellingly Centre, we specialise in the assessment and treatment of people with complex and enduring mental health needs, who have had contact with the criminal justice system.

You will be working with service users who have committed criminal offences, but have also often been victims themselves. Service users regularly experience stigma for both mental health and offending history, so our role is to develop trusting and safe relationships which balance being compassionate, collaborative and supportive with sound risk assessment and management skills

Main duties of the job

Occupational Therapy Technical Instructors (OT TIs) are highly valued members of our workforce. As an OT TI, you will play a pivotal role in supporting service users to enhance their health and wellbeing, through participating in a range of meaningful activities and establishing helpful routines, positive relationships and fulfilling roles.

Working with Occupational Therapists (OTs), you will have the opportunity to assist with planning and delivering individual and group sessions, across various domains, including: nature-based - at the on-site allotment, ward gardens and in the community, the Recovery Through Activity programme, education, other vocational roles, e.g. the on-site shop, cooking and baking, music, sensory exploration and modulation, physical activity, art and creativity and service user co-production and participation opportunities (Expert by Experience work). 

You will also be involved in contributing to completing assessments with the aim of supporting service users to identify their strengths and any support needs have and to consider their short-term goals and longer-term aspirations. Alongside OTs and other multidisciplinary team (MDT) colleagues, you will have the opportunity to provide feedback and contribute to holistic care plans, aiding service users' recovery and journey through secure services.

Working for our organisation

The Hellingly Centre is a modern purpose built medium secure unit specialising in the assessment and treatment of people with complex and enduring mental health needs, who have had contact with the criminal justice system. 

There are 4 specialist wards (3 male medium secure wards – Oak, Ash and Cedar) and 1 female blended secure ward – Blossom, each with a strong multi-disciplinary team.

We have a range of therapy facilities within the centre including: a gym, shop, music, woodwork and art rooms and Badger’s Café and allotment space on-site. 

The centre is situated within the beautiful Hellingly Country Park and the Cuckoo Trail is also very close by. The local town, Hailsham is under 10 minutes away by car. There is a direct bus link to Eastbourne. 

There is a small gym on-site which is available for staff to use. Badger's Cafe is on site and sells a good selection of hot drinks, meals and snacks. There is a large car park and parking is free.