Job summary
We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to join our Senior Management Leadership team for the newly formed Older Adults, Rehabilitation and Learning Disabilities Care group in NLFT. Working with the Managing Director and our Associate Directors of nursing and psychology you will be responsible for both strategic leadership and operational management of our Allied health Professionals in these clinical areas, contributing to the modernisation and transformation of services.
You will be part of our dynamic and supportive AHP and Head Occupational Therapy leadership group, who strive to provide the best, evidence clinical care to our diverse population across five boroughs. Evidence of significant post registration development, professional and strategic leadership and management experience is essential.
This senior leadership role provides strategic, professional and clinical leadership for Occupational Therapy and wider Allied Health Professional (AHP) services across the Care Group.
The postholder is responsible for ensuring high-quality, evidence-based and outcome-focused care through strong clinical governance, performance management and continuous service improvement.
Working collaboratively with senior leaders and multidisciplinary teams, the role drives innovation, workforce development and sustainable service models, while promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.
Main duties of the job
The postholder provides professional strategic leadership for AHPs, provides professional accountability for staff and resources, ensures service users and Experts by Experience are actively involved in the design, delivery and evaluation of services.
Provide strategic, professional, and clinical leadership across the Care Group to Occupational Therapists and other AHP professions including Art Therapists, Music Therapists, Drama Therapists, Dieticians, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists.
To work as an integral member of the senior leadership team, contributing to quality, safety, and governance across the care group. Having a key role in the development of the governance agenda by ensuring AHP contribution to the provision of quality clinical care and performance standards.
To undertake recruitment, operational management of occupational therapy and other AHP staff across the Care Group; hold and manage a budget
To assume responsibility for ensuring that all Therapies staff working in the Care Group provide effective assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care that meets professional and organisational quality standards.
To set and monitor standards and policies ensuring a high standard of care is delivered in accordance with agreed protocols and evidence-based practice.
Job responsibilities
Provide senior clinical, professional and strategic leadership for Occupational Therapy and Allied Health Professional (AHP) services across the Care Group, ensuring high-quality, evidence-based and outcome-focused care.
Lead the development, delivery and continuous improvement of innovative AHP services, embedding NICE guidance, national policy, quality improvement and clinical governance standards.
Ensure robust clinical oversight and governance, contributing to PSIRF processes, MDT working, reviews and Trust quality and safety forums, and providing expert AHP clinical advice.
Set, monitor and assure performance against agreed standards and KPIs, developing improvement and contingency plans in collaboration with the senior leadership team.
Promote equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring services and employment practices are equitable, culturally responsive and meet the needs of people with protected characteristics.
Act as a professional role model and ambassador for AHPs, communicating complex and sensitive information effectively and representing AHPs at Trust, regional and external forums.
Hold overall accountability for the professional leadership, management and development of AHP staff, including recruitment, induction, supervision, appraisal, CPD, professional registration and mandatory training.
Lead workforce planning for AHP services, ensuring sustainable staffing models, appropriate skill mix, career pathways, succession planning and effective use of employment planning.
Support education and training through student placements and the development of staff capability, ensuring compliance with professional and Trust requirements.
Contribute to strategic service development, articulating the value and impact of AHPs, designing new models of care and supporting integrated pathways across the Trust and with external partners.
Ensure service users and Experts by Experience are actively involved in service design, delivery, evaluation and improvement, embedding feedback into practice.
Provide professional accountability for the planning and delivery of AHP services, responding effectively to operational pressures, workforce challenges and competing priorities.
Manage delegated AHP budgets and resources, supporting cost improvement programmes, productivity initiatives and effective use of equipment and physical resources while maintaining quality and safety.
Lead and contribute to research, audit, evaluation and quality improvement activity, identifying priorities for AHP research and disseminating learning across services.
Person Specification
Qualifications / Registration Essential
* Diploma / degree in Occupational Therapy
* HCPC registration
* Evidence of continued professional development to master's level or equivalent (or working towards this)
Desirable
* Member of professional body
* Quality improvement training
* Sensory Integration qualification
Personal Qualities Essential
* Enthusiasm for a broad range of AHP interventions, an interest in service delivery and the ability to articulate the added value of AHP services.
* Able to demonstrate high level of personal professional accountability and autonomy attitude to change
* Ability to work autonomously at a senior level
Other Essential
* Ability to move across the borough by car or public transport
* Able to work in a hot desk environment across multiple sites depending on the needs of the service.
Skills / Abilities Essential
* Ability to communicate complex condition related information to service users, carers, and colleagues
* High level skills in clinical supervision
* Ability to evaluate research and implement best practice in the clinical setting
* Ability to articulate clearly the role of AHPs and the benefits they bring to service user care
* Lead others in the development of knowledge, ideas and work practices including policies and strategies
* Ability to influence, negotiate and persuade regarding complex or sensitive issues
Experience / Knowledge Essential
* Significant post registration professional experience in mental health
* Experience of team management and leadership
* Working knowledge of the practice of different AHP services
* Experience of multiagency / integrated working
* Experience of staff recruitment, selection, and retention
* Knowledge of national and local health care developments
* Demonstrable experience of managing services within health/social care including service delivery, quality, performance, and staff
Desirable
* Experience of representing the Occupational Therapy profession or service at local or national forums
Our Five-Year Strategy
* We will provide consistently high-quality care closer to home.
* With our partners in North London and each borough we will ensure equity of outcome for all
* We will offer great places to work, providing staff with supportive environment to deliver outstanding care.
* We will be more effective as an organisation by pioneering research, quality improvement and technology.
Why NLFT?
* We develop and retain our staff through leadership behaviours and managers programme and many more opportunities.
* We promote flexible working and support staff with a range of health and wellbeing initiatives.
* NHS Discounts, generous annual leave and NHS pension scheme
* Excellent internal staff network
Values
* We Are Kind
* We Are Respectful
* We Work Together
* We Keep Things Simple
* We Empower
* We Are Proudly Diverse
Job locations
St Ann's Hospital
St Ann's Road
Haringey, London
N15 3TH
Details
Date posted: 25 March 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8b
Salary: £70,396 to £80,837 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 455‑NLFT‑0687‑A
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
North London NHS Foundation Trust
St Ann's Hospital
St Ann's Road
Haringey, London
N15 3TH
Employer's website
https://www.northlondonmentalhealth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
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