Occupational Therapist Secure CAMHS
The closing date is 24 March 2026
Im James, Team Manager for Secure CAMHS, looking for adedicated Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join our team at Aldine House SCH. We operate within a trauma-informed framework to support young people withcomplex needs, and this role is pivotal in shaping our therapeuticenvironment.
In this exciting position, you will develop and implementthe OT process and pathway within the home. Youll manage a caseload focused onindividual assessment and intervention, evaluating mental health and risk whilebuilding strong therapeutic relationships. Your mission is to assessoccupational performance, provide holistic interventions that promoteindependence, skill development, and engagement in truly meaningfulactivities.
Collaboration is key. You will provide expert consultationand liaison with partner agencies to ensure robust, holistic care plans. Working within a multi-disciplinary team, youll support the Mental HealthPractitioners to ensure service delivery. Youll benefit from a supportiveleadership team and regular clinical supervision under a professionalstructure.
We are committed to your growth, offering access toprofessional networks, specialist training, and clear career progression. Youll have the opportunity to engage in CPD tailored to your interests; wespecifically seek candidates with SensoryIntegration/Sensory awareness training.
The service operates MondayFriday, 8am5pm, with shared on-call duties across the secure estate.
Main duties of the job
Aldine house, a 10-beddedsecure childrens home, for young people aged 10-18, accommodated for their ownwelfare.
This role is a uniqueopportunity to drive change across a setting that provides care for the mostdisenfranchised young people in the UK. The role links closely with ResidentialSupport Workers who provide care for the young people residing within the home. Highlighting the importance of integration across the service, with this rolebeing vital in supporting and educating other team members on traumaexperienced by our young people. You will use your professional specific skillsto identify barriers to engagement in meaningful and purposeful occupation anddevelop appropriate plans to facilitate engagement and inclusion.
The role requires a values-ledpractitioner, who is truly curious and motivated to work across systemicbarriers through inter-agency working.
Part of your role will be tooffer screening assessments for young people who have arrived at the home, andyou will attend a variety of meetings held by the home regarding the youngpeople.
You will provideperson-centred holistic assessment of their mental health needs and risk, inaddition your expertise will feed into the neurodevelopmental pathwayby way of supporting reports, OT screening checklists and being part ofconsensus meetings. You will be part ofa supportive multidisciplinary team.
About us
Weare a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental healthand learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale,Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and arethe lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.
Our mission isto help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do thisby providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employstaff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make adifference to the lives of service users, families and carers.
We encourageand welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we valuediversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.
Beinga foundation Trust means were accountable to ourmembers, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people(including staff) are members of our Trust.
Joinus and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improvingthe mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet andhelp each year.
Weare committedto safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people andvulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share thiscommitment.
We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.
Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
The post holder will be part of a cohesive and enthusiastic multi-disciplinary team. You will be involved in providing specialist occupationaltherapy assessment and treatment for individuals receiving in-patient care enabling service users to engage in a wide range of individual and group based treatment activities. You will be actively involved in the promotion of occupational therapy within the service area.
Thepost holder will be part of a well recognised service that places emphasis ofstaff support and professional development and you will be expected toparticipate in staff training and supervision.
KEY RESULT AREAS:
Clinical
1. To manage an individual caseload, providing Occupational Therapy assessments for service users receiving in-patient care and within the community, prioritising clinical needs and providing an effective service.
2. To work with service users to identify Occupational Therapy goals as part of the overall care plan, using occupational therapy assessment tools based on current evidence based best practice.
3. To plan and implement a client‑centred Occupational Therapy treatment programme on an individual and/or group basis, using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals.
4. To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
5. To demonstrate a broad level of understanding of the effect of disability and provide training and advice on lifestyles changes and adaptations to the clients social and physical environment.
6. To be responsible for providing Occupational Therapy advice in the multidisciplinary team assessment of service users and carers to ensure that an integrated approach to assessment and treatment is achieved and maintained.
7. To work proactively alongside ward staff, community agencies and voluntary agencies to provide a seamless service for service users.
8. To maintain an effective communication network within the team, and to liaise with other agencies and disciplines from the voluntary and statutory sectors to ensure that service user needs are met.
9. To maintain up to date service user records and activity data in accordance with professional and Trust standards.
10. To provide an Occupational Therapy perspective in multi‑disciplinary team meetings, ward rounds, clinics and case conferences as required.
11. To provide Occupational Therapy reports (as required) on assessment and treatment by written and verbal reports to Consultants, GP's and other agencies involved, and to ensure that all correspondence relating to caseload is dealt with promptly.
12. To empower families and carers to support individuals with mental health problems.
13. To involve clients in all aspects of assessment, treatment and evaluation of treatment programmes.
14. To promote the positive health and well being of the individual.
Managerial
1. To manage own caseload and day-to-day activities.
2. To co‑ordinate the day-to-day activities of junior staff in the service area.
3. To provide effective guidance and supervision for junior staff.
4. To take responsibility for risk management within the areas of occupational therapy practice.
5. To co‑ordinate statistical collections in line with Trust policies.
6. To ensure responsible management of petty cash.
7. To participate in the recruitment, appointment and induction of staff, ensuring that practice in these areas are anti‑discriminatory.
For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.
We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. Over reliance on AI-generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged and we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.
All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.
At the time of advertising, this role does meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. We look forward to receiving your application.
Person Specification
Experience
* Substantial post registration experience working in mental health/learning disabilities.
* Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team.
* Supervision of staff and students.
* Experience of a range of mental health/learning disabilities settings.
Personal Attributes
* Enthusiastic, motivated, professional, resourceful, flexible and adaptable.
* Able to self direct and have good time management skills.
* Able to use tact/diplomacy and common sense.
* Committed to team working and providing the best possible patient care.
* Able to adapt to change and lead others as a positive change agent.
* Act as a positive role model to other members of the team.
* Able to provide leadership to the team and encourage reflection on practice.
* Ability to travel around the Trust as appropriate to the role.
Special Knowledge & Skills
* Specialist knowledge and application of Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions relevant to mental health/learning disabilities.
* Extensive clinical practice skills including individual and group work
* Understanding of occupational therapy outcome measure.
* Detailed knowledge of current legislation/guidance e.g. CPA Care Programme Approach, Risk assessment and management.
* Able to work as part of a MDT and independently.
* Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues.
* Supervisory / appraisal skills.
* Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
* Ability to organise and respond efficiently to complex information.
* Ability to build effective working relationships.
* Detailed knowledge of clinical governance and its application.
Training
* Practice placement educators certificate (or to achieve within 12 months).
* Clinical supervisors training (or willingness to complete).
* To be willing to undertake post graduate training to further skills, knowledge and expertise relevant to clinical area.
* Post graduate training relevant to mental health/learning disabilities.
Physical Attributes
* Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
Qualifications
* COT Diploma, BSc/BA, MA Occupational Therapy.
* HCPC State Registration.
* Leadership / first line management certificate.
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.
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
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