Main area Forensic Healthcare Services Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Fixed term: 12 months (end date 18.9.26) Hours Part time - 22.5 hours per week Job ref 354-FH-20562-A
Employer Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Hellingly Centre Town Hellingly Salary £38,682 - £46,580 pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 09/12/2025 23:59
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
Are you an experienced occupational therapist who is curious and creative, looking for new learning opportunities and ways to implement this into practice?
We have a Band 6 Senior Occupational Therapist vacancy in our central therapies team at the Hellingly Centre. This is a part time, fixed term role to support our current vocational and education provision.
Forensic mental healthcare is unique and fascinating which provides both challenge and opportunity in abundance.
The Hellingly Centre is a secure mental health hospital where we specialise in the assessment and treatment of people with complex and enduring mental health needs, who may have had contact with the criminal justice system.
Service users regularly experience stigma for mental health and / or offending history and 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
This is a temporary Senior Occupational Therapist role in our central therapies team. With a focus on vocation and education, you will play a pivotal role in supporting service users to enhance their health and wellbeing, develop valuable life skills and prepare for the next steps in their recovery. You will additionally support the ward based OT team by carrying our vocational and other occupational assessments and interventions.
You will:
* Deliver the Hellingly Centre's vocation and education service, supported by the Clinical specialist OT. This includes an on site shop and a shop, café and allotment in the grounds of the Hellingly Centre.
* Provide evidence based occupational assessments and interventions, aiding service users' recovery and journey through secure services.
* Have the opportunity to work alongside colleagues within SPFT forensic healthcare services, and the provider collaborative as well as external agencies.
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 may have had contact with the criminal justice system.
There are 4 specialist wards, 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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Previous experience of working with people with mental health difficulties is essential. Previous experience of working in Forensic Healthcare Service is desirable as are relevant qualifications that may support with the delivery of vocation and education interventions. There will be access to regular supervision, reflective practice and training and development opportunities, including attendance to communities of practice.
This role is part time (22.5 hours), typically across Monday - Friday. Flexible working requests will be considered.
Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details of the role and requirements.
Please apply using the link in this advert. For any further information or if you have any questions regarding the role, please contact Janet Woodhouse, Professional Lead AHP, at (janet.woodhouse4@nhs.net )
Person specification
Qualifications
* Degree/Diploma in occupational therapy
* Evidence of post graduate level study/training
* Registration with the HPC as an occupational therapist
* Management/Leadership training
* Training in the use of standardised occupational therapy assessment tools
Knowledge/Experience
* Experience as a qualified occupational therapist in mental health
* Broad experience of working with clients with a range of mental health problems
* Experience of both group and individual work
* Experience of multidisciplinary working
* Experience of supervising staff and students
* Experience as a Care Coordinator
* Experience in a clinical area related to the post
* Experience in applying a range of assessment tools and a comprehensive knowledge of occupational therapy clinical approaches used in mental health
SPFT is committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We particularly welcome applications from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and from disabled candidates, as these groups are currently underrepresented.
Successful candidates are normally appointed to the bottom of the pay scale unless previous NHS experience in a similar role can be evidenced.
SPFT takes its responsibilities for safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk very seriously. We expect all staff and bank workers to share this commitment and complete the relevant safeguarding training for their role.
If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful. However, we’ll always do our best to keep you informed as we know how much time and care goes into applying for a role.
In the event of a high number of applications, we may close this vacancy early.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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.
Name Janet Woodhouse
Job title Professional Lead Allied Health Professions
Email address janet.woodhouse4@nhs.net
Telephone number 0300 304 3218
Emily Barnard, Clinical Specialist OT
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