Eligibility
Please note: at this stage, the role is open only to colleagues currently employed within Kent and Medway NHS Trusts, the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Medway Community Healthcare. Nursing vacancies are also open to Student Nurses and Newly Qualified Nurses.
About the Service
South East DriveAbility (SED) is a service provided by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust. The service has a unique business model and is supported by an annual grant from the Department of Transport (DfT) and income generated by referrals from GPs, Allied Health Professionals, Motability, DVLA, Kent Police and private clients.
Position Overview
SED is led by a Head of Service/Consultant Practitioner. Working from the main office at Aylesford and reporting to the Head of Service/Consultant Practitioner, the post holder will provide high-quality occupational therapy input into the driving advice and assessment service to clients referred by the Driver Vehicle & Licensing Agency, Motability, Kent Police, Rehabilitation Companies, Access to Work, Public Carriage Office, Health Professionals and self-referring clients. The assessment process ascertains an individual’s driving ability, vehicle control and vehicle adaptation requirements.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide occupational therapy input into driving assessment and advice for clients referred by various agencies.
* Travel to outreach centres once weekly as required, using SED vehicles (manual or automatic transmissions); respond to extended working hours when necessary.
* Collaborate with driving assessors in a team setting on a pre-arranged basis.
* Support the assessment process, ensuring accurate determination of driving ability, vehicle control, and adaptation needs.
* Maintain accurate records and report as required.
Work Hours & Conditions
Full/part-time clinical professions (Occupational Therapists), driving assessors, admin staff and vehicle maintenance staff operate between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday, with a requirement to work outside core hours to cover outreach services on a regular basis. Overtime will be paid by the KCHFT Bank system.
Requirements
* Qualified Occupational Therapist.
* Evidence of right to work in the United Kingdom; the role does not meet the criteria for skilled worker sponsorship.
* A full UK driving licence (or a full EU driving licence not exchanged from a non-EU country); ability to drive is a requirement of the role.
* Experience working with clients requiring fitness-to-drive assessments is desirable.
* Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.
Additional Information
SED is authorised to provide assessment services to clients residing in Kent & Medway, East and West Sussex, West Surrey, South East London and South East Essex from its main office at Aylesford and through five outreach centres located across the region.
Application Notes
This vacancy does not meet the criteria for skilled worker sponsorship and therefore we are unable to accept applications from candidates that cannot provide documentary evidence of right to work in the United Kingdom. If you are unable to drive due to a disability, please contact the Recruitment Team via kentchft.recruitment@nhs.net, quoting the vacancy reference number, so we can support you further.
Closing Date
This advert closes on Tuesday 5 May 2026.
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