Job Overview
Are you a passionate and experienced Band 7 Occupational Therapist seeking a fresh and rewarding challenge? Or perhaps you're a Band 6 OT ready to take the next step in your career? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Your work will be part of an exciting opportunity to join our multi‑disciplinary team within a Psychologically Informed Planned Environment (PIPE) at HMP High Down. This role is ideal for a practitioner who is passionate about delivering trauma‑informed care in a prison setting and is committed to supporting individuals with complex psychological needs and learning difficulties. You will work closely with service users and staff to create a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment that fosters personal growth, rehabilitation, and relational security. You’ll be part of a supportive, multidisciplinary team where reflective practice, relational working, and psychological safety are central to our approach. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a supportive and innovative environment, while developing your clinical and leadership skills.
Main Duties of the Job
Work as an independent OT practitioner with women presenting with complex and challenging needs who reside on the PIPE units, engaging in the PIPE Outreach service and those where referral to PIPE may be considered.
Working within the MDT to provide a comprehensive service to women with personality disorder resident on the PIPE units and to contribute to ensuring the PIPE is a successful environment. Working as part of a team supporting women in their own location through the PIPE Outreach service.
Lead on the planning and delivery of enrichment activities and a therapeutic social setting to an Enabling Environment as defined by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. The Progression PIPE is an established Enabling Environment currently and continues to work towards maintaining its award.
Work with the wider OPD Pathway to integrate careful selection of assessment tools and interventions with personal recovery principles which will engage individuals in activities and occupation, encouraging the development of "surviving and thriving" skills and knowledge.
Apply a high level of understanding of the impact of mental and physical health conditions, providing training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations.
Work with the Clinical Lead to continue to develop and deliver a comprehensive OT Service within a preparation and progression PIPE, including assessment, intervention and evaluation which is underpinned by an evidence base and personal recovery principles.
Working for Our Organisation
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust offers its staff ongoing career progression through:
* Monthly supervision
* Annual personal development plans and appraisals
* Access to exciting internal and external training opportunities
Excellent progression through various career pathway opportunities such as but not limited to:
* Preceptorship Programme
* Support and guidance with Revalidation
* Hidden Gem and annual award ceremonies
Excellent staff benefits, our benefit packages are amongst the best in London and include:
* Health and wellbeing services
* Season ticket loans
* Cycle to work scheme
* Relocation package subject to meeting criteria
The trust also values its staff and you are entitled to become a member of MyTrustBenefits. MyTrustBenefits is an online portal for CNWL staff, their families and friends, offering over 1400 discounts at hundreds of retailers nationwide. Save money on weekly food shops, toiletries, cosmetics, cinema, meals out, holidays, travel and entertainment. You can also access free online courses on a variety of professional and personal topics, from business management to languages, law and teaching.
All of our sites in Surrey offer free use of onsite leisure facilities and free parking for staff.
Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities
Please see attached JD & PS for full details of duties and responsibilities.
Clinical
* To provide specialist, culturally appropriate, evidence‑based occupational therapy assessments for individuals within the prison setting to establish and meet their occupational needs. Select and use validated standardised assessment tools routinely and in practice, exhibiting clinical reasoning skills; include the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) assessments.
* To apply clinical knowledge and skills to carry out evidence‑based occupational therapy interventions, both individual and in groups, underpinned by relevant theoretical approaches.
* To plan, implement and review individually tailored programmes of intervention using individual and group work approaches with prisoners within the PIPE unit.
* To support service users and colleagues to ensure that care plans are developed in partnership with the individual and reflect recovery goals that are strengths‑based and oriented towards reinforcing a positive identity and developing valued social roles.
* To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions against clear aims, objectives and outcome measures in line with evidence‑based practice and in conjunction with service users, carers and other professionals.
* To work collaboratively with all professionals within the PIPE unit to develop care plans and risk assessments for prisoners.
* To support individuals to develop skills and knowledge and engage with community partner agencies to facilitate successful transitions from the prison environment to the community.
* To proactively undertake and ensure rigorous risk assessment and risk management strategies are applied. Ensure maximum risk tolerance facilitates the individual's recovery in line with risk policies and local guidelines.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential Criteria
* Registered Practitioner Occupational Therapist (HPCP)
* Mentorship or supervisor qualification
* Evidence of professional development since registration
Desirable Criteria
* Post registration qualification that enhances clinical work: CBT, DBT, Dual Diagnosis, etc.
Previous Experience
Essential Criteria
* Relevant post registration experience
* Experience of working as part of a multi‑disciplinary team
* Experience of working with complex clients
* Experience of running a group program
* Experience of leading and or developing a service or component of a service
Desirable Criteria
* Experience of working in a Prison or forensic environment
Skills and Knowledge
Essential Criteria
* Risk assessment and management skills
* Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
* Knowledge of CPA, Mental Health Act, MAPPA, legislation and policies relevant to prison mental health
Other
Essential Criteria
* To conduct self in accordance with relevant code of conduct and practice for registration
* Full clearance via the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS), and ability to achieve enhanced Prison Clearance (vetting)
Attitudes, Aptitudes, Personal Characteristics
Essential Criteria
* Motivated to maintain the highest standards possible in the service
* Able to accept constructive feedback
* Able to ask for support where required
* Compassionate and non‑judgmental approach
* Flexible
Skills and Knowledge
Essential Criteria
* Expert in engaging with people with mental health problems, assessing their needs, designing and delivering appropriate interventions and evaluating the effectiveness of the process
* Excellent IT skills
* Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently as appropriate
* To use supervision positively and effectively
* Proven ability to work with patients to increase their level of self‑determination and resilience
* Effective time management
* Knowledge of the needs and rights of patients
* Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks
* Problem solving, stress management and conflict resolution skills
* Ability to engage in evidence based practice, with an understanding of care quality (clinical governance)
* Knowledge of current challenges and developments in prison health
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