Job overview
We have an opportunity for a keen and motivated Occupational Therapist to join our friendly Adults of Working Age Specialist Community Mental Health Team in Wigan. We are looking for someone who has existing experience as a Band 5 working in mental health and are looking to develop their knowledge, skills and experience in a supportive environment. We also welcome applicants who are already practicing at Band 6 level but are looking for something new and exciting.
You will join the established multi-disciplinary Specialist Community Mental Health Team (SCMHT), based at Claire House in Ince and covering the wigan and leigh area. You will work with a small team of Occupational Therapists and support staff, but be part of the wider team.
We welcome applicants with diverse, innovative and creative ideas, which would support the continued development of this service. We are keen to support your commitment to professional development, through 1-1 support, peer support, local, divisional and Trust wide CPD and training.
Please note, interviews will be face to face for this vacancy.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will case manage a caseload of service users whose needs are around Occupational identity, performance and participation. They will provide assessment and intervention aimed at improving these areas in order for the service users to live the lives they want and need. The role may involve care co-ordination / case management and may involve duty work as the service needs dictate.
It is an exciting time to join the team as the Trust is developing its Occupational Therapy pathways in line with forward thinking Community Transformation plans, which support our professionals to practice in a way which closely aligns to their professional training and backgrounds.
You will provide active support to learners, including student and apprentice placements and support.
You will be provided with a full range of mandatory training and CPD opportunities with a particular emphasis on developing skills within the Model of Human Occupation.
Working for our organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 6,400 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 160 locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.
Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.
Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification
Staff benefits
1. Pay Enhancements
2. 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
3. Excellent pension
4. Cycle to work scheme
5. Salary sacrifice car scheme
6. Wellbeing programme
7. fuelGenie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles)
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
8. Demonstrable experience of working as a qualified Occupational Therapist
9. Providing Occupational Therapy in a mental health setting
10. Using a variety of Occupational vocational assessments
11. Identifying barriers to goal achievement
12. Planning and carrying out evidence based interventions
Desirable criteria
13. Experience of working in a range of mental health settings
14. Personal experience of mental health issues
15. Experience of working in a community setting.
16. Experience of supervising support staff
Education
Essential criteria
17. Diploma/Degree In Occupational Therapy
18. Registration with HCPC
Desirable criteria
19. AMPS Training
20. Model of Human Occupation training
21. Care Programme Approach Training
22. Equality Diversity Awareness Training
Knowledge
Essential criteria
23. Social inclusion and recovery models
24. Evidence based Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions relevant to mental health
25. Mental health legislation
26. Reflective practice
27. Knowledge of the CPA process
28. Risk assessment and safeguarding
Skills
Essential criteria
29. To apply models of human occupation
30. To use a variety of Occupational assessments
31. To develop case formulation from assessment
32. To plan and implement evidence based interventions aimed at achieving user goals
33. To use effective evidence based communication skills
The Trust mandates all post holders who require a DBS for their role to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration throughout your employment with GMMH.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.
The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications
A candidate may utilise the help of AI when writing job application. The assessment of an application is made on its entirety and most times AI-generated content does not fully grasp the context and requirements of the job one applies for thus producing inaccurate and misleading information, especially in the supporting statement section of an application that can lack real life examples of one’s achievements, success and challenges.
We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored. GMMH reserves the right to follow up with a candidate at the interview on specific responses and those examples used in the supporting statement to explore it further.
Sponsorship
We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government’s website – click .
If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.
The Home Office introduces new changes from 22/07/2025 that impact the health and care sector, you may wish to familiarise with it.
Do you have experience outside the NHS?
We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities.
We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment.