We are recruiting two Band 6 Occupational Therapists for a 2‑year fixed term contract to join an expanding small multidisciplinary team providing intensive support for autistic people accessing mental health services across Norfolk and Waveney.
As a Band 6 OT, you will provide specialist functional, sensory, and environmental assessments, and deliver tailored interventions. You will be working clinically with a small caseload of autistic service users (18+ years) who are open to NHS mental health teams and presenting frequently within our urgent and emergency care pathways.
The overarching aims of the Autism Intensive Support (AIS) team are to reduce the number of and length of stay for autistic people in acute inpatient settings. The AIS team provide an intensive recovery‑oriented, trauma‑informed and autism‑friendly approach, directly supporting service users and undertaking supervision, training and consultation of NHS staff to improve autism‑informed care.
The AIS team are based at the Weaver’s Centre at Hellesdon Hospital, alongside the central locality crisis and home treatment team.
Main duties of the job
This is a new team working with a small cohort of service users and we will be evaluating its impact. This will include feeding back to our commissioners in terms of clinical and social recovery outcomes for the service users and measuring the impact of the interventions in terms of service utilisation data.
This post will suit someone who has a passion for working with autistic people, is excited about the prospect of doing something new and different, and has confidence in handling data and producing reports.
You will be well supported and supervised by an experienced Principal AHP (Occupational Therapist background). You will also benefit from AHP leadership support.
Key responsibilities
* Undertake Occupational Therapy prioritisation and deliver short‑term interventions, identifying clear recommendations for community teams.
* Complete specialist functional, sensory, and environmental assessments.
* Develop occupation‑focused intervention plans and crisis support strategies.
* Provide sensory modulation, daily living skill development, and structured routine support.
* Promote meaningful participation and enable recovery in the least restrictive setting.
* Contribute to MDT formulation, risk management, and community alternatives to admission.
* Support families and carers using autism‑informed practice and environmental adaptations.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* BSc / MSc or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
* HCPC registration
Experience
* Post‑registration experience in mental health.
* Experience in MDT working.
* Ability to work both independently and under supervision.
* Experience working in a mental health setting and/or with autistic people.
Skills
* Ability to deliver OT assessment / treatment with designated client group.
* Ability to work under pressure, manage own caseload and prioritise.
* Strong verbal and written communication skills.
* Skilled in delivering Occupational Therapy interventions within a mental health setting.
Other
* Ability to travel independently across Norfolk and Waveney, hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle. Public transport is not acceptable for this role.
Knowledge
* Specialist knowledge of Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions relevant to this client group.
* Understanding of the principles and application of the recovery model and social inclusion.
* Demonstrates reflective practice.
* Up to date with evidence‑based research for specialist area.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and, as such, a Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) will be required to check for any previous criminal convictions.
£39,959 to £48,117 a year gross per annum / pro rata
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