Job overview
Westminster Recovery House is a newly established unit providing short-term, intensive support for individuals discharged from acute mental health inpatient settings and those from the homeless population requiring additional support.
As a Band 7 Specialist Occupational Therapist, you will lead and deliver the Recovery Pathway in close collaboration with the Lead Nurse, who oversees the joint homeless team pathway. Your role will focus on designing and implementing occupational therapy within a trauma-informed, recovery-focused environment, helping individuals maximise independence and reduce the risk of readmission. This is an exciting opportunity to shape a new service and make a real difference.
Main duties of the job
1. Lead the development and implementation of the recovery pathway.
2. To manage and triage referrals to the recovery pathway.
3. Manage a complex caseload using evidence-based, person-centred principles.
4. Complete robust risk assessments and management plans for all residents.
5. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across the system, supported accommodation, social care and voluntary sector partners.
6. Provide clinical leadership and supervision to support staff.
7. Participate in quality improvement, audit, and research projects.
8. Undertake Open Dialogue training and contribute to its implementation within the Recovery House.
Who We Are Looking For
We are seeking a compassionate, experienced Occupational Therapist who is passionate about recovery-focused practice and trauma-informed care.
You should have:
9. Significant post-qualification experience in adult mental health across acute and community settings.
10. Expertise in managing complex caseloads and delivering specialist OT interventions.
11. Strong leadership, mentoring, and communication skills.
12. Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
13. Experience in service development and audit.
Working for our organisation
Come and join us and be one of the friendly and supportive 300 Occupational Therapists (OTs) in CNWL. We work in many different teams in both physical and mental health, as well as a number of specialist areas.
OT in CNWL is very fortunate in having a long-established professional structure and this includes an AHP director, Trust wide Professional Head of OT, borough and specialist Head OTs. This has the huge benefit of ensuring representation of our profession at all levels - both strategically and operationally.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
14. Lead the design and implementation of the recovery pathway with an emphasis on rehabilitation and core activities of daily living.
15. To manage and triage referrals to the recovery pathway.
16. Manage a complex caseload, using evidence-based, person-centred approaches to assessment, planning, and intervention.
17. Complete robust risk assessments and management plans for all residents.
18. Work in close partnership with the lead nurse for the Joint Homelessness Pathway and provide cross-cover as needed.
19. Provide clinical leadership and supervision to support staff within the Recovery House.
20. Collaborate with acute, community and rehab teams, supported accommodation, voluntary sector partners, and statutory agencies to ensure continuity of care and effective transitions.
21. Deliver training and education to occupational therapists and other professionals, and mentor OT apprentices and students on placement.
22. Participate in quality improvement, audit, and research projects, and contribute to the development of the Discharge to Assess model.
Key relationships include residents, carers/ supporters, the multidisciplinary teams (across acute and community settings), adult social care, voluntary organisations, and senior managers across Westminster Mental Health Services.
For a full breakdown of duties, essential criteria, and person specification, please refer to the job description and person specification documents.
Vaccination
The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.
23. Due to the high response levels we receive for some vacancies, we may expire any of them prior to the advertised closing date and advise you to submit your application as soon as possible.
24. Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Before submitting your application and to avoid disappointment please check that you are eligible under the
25. Our Agenda for Change employment contracts are subject to a contractual 13 week probationary period.