Main area Mental health rehabilitation Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday, including Bank Holidays) Job ref 354-AC-21276
Employer Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site The Bedale Centre Town Bognor Regis Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 03/05/2026 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 HCPC‑registered Occupational Therapist with a passion for working with people experiencing severe mental illness in a recovery‑focused way? Would you like to join a highly supportive service that values teamwork and shared learning?
We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated Occupational Therapist to join the Community Rehabilitation Service – Bognor Regis Hub. You will support people with complex or treatment‑resistant psychosis, or related significant mental illness, in line with NICE rehabilitation guidance. The role involves delivering and developing evidence‑based, recovery‑focused interventions that promote independence and enable people to lead fulfilling lives.
This post includes a Lead Practitioner role on the long‑term pathway, with a reduced caseload, alongside leading the short‑term pathway and overseeing group interventions, supported by an OT Technician.
This vacancy is ideal for a Band 6 Occupational Therapist, although a Band 5–6 development post will be considered for the right candidate. Experience of working with severe and enduring mental health needs is desirable, and we welcome applicants with experience of working with older adults, as the service supports adults of all ages.
The service operates Monday to Friday, 9:00–17:00, with Bank Holiday cover (excluding Christmas Day) on a rota basis.
Informal enquiries and visits are warmly welcomed.
Main duties of the job
As a Lead Practitioner & Senior Occupational Therapist, you will:
* Deliver client‑centred Occupational Therapy and generic interventions, including assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation
* Complete and maintain robust risk assessments to support safe and effective care
* Develop, review and implement recovery‑focused care plans reflecting individual strengths, needs and goals
* Build and maintain strong therapeutic relationships to promote engagement and recovery
* Take a lead role in promoting and developing Occupational Therapy within the service and wider MDT
* Produce high‑quality clinical documentation, including care plans, progress notes and risk assessments
* Work collaboratively within the MDT while demonstrating the ability to work autonomously and exercise professional judgement
* Contribute to service development, quality improvement and reflective practice
We are looking for someone who is:
* Compassionate and client‑focused, with a commitment to recovery‑oriented practice
* Highly organised, flexible and adaptable in a dynamic clinical environment
* Confident in managing complex clinical situations and risk
* A strong team player able to take leadership within their role
* Skilled at building rapport and maintaining therapeutic relationships
* Experienced in clear, accurate and timely documentation
* Passionate about advocating for and developing Occupational Therapy
Working for our organisation
Our service provides inter‑professional community mental health rehabilitation for people who require more intensive support than is available through Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams. We work with individuals in their own homes, NHS sites and community settings, delivering compassionate, person‑centred care to promote recovery. Collaboration sits at the heart of the service, with strong teamwork supporting consistent and responsive care.
The Sussex Community Rehabilitation Service is delivered through locality‑based Hubs across the Trust. In West Sussex there are three Hubs, based in Bognor Regis (this post), Worthing and Horsham. The service offers both short‑ and longer‑term pathways. Short‑term pathways provide time‑limited community rehabilitation support for up to 16 weeks, while longer‑term pathways offer care coordination, typically for a minimum of three years.
Our team‑based model fosters a highly supportive environment for both the people we support and our staff.
What We Offer
* A supportive and collaborative team, including regular supervision and reflective practice
* Opportunities for professional development and leadership growth
* The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to people’s lives
* Quarterly West Sussex CRS CPD days
* Local, divisional and national Occupational Therapy development and networking opportunities
* Encouragement to access the Trust‑wide AHP training offer
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
* To manage a caseload of clients with complex mental health needs with a primary diagnosis of psychosis.
* To provide specialist clinical advice and input for clients with complex problems and needs.
* To ensure Occupational Therapy contribution to the provision of quality clinical care and performance standards.
* To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of occupational therapy and local multi‑professional services.
Person specification
Qualifications
* Degree/ Diploma in Occupational Therapy from a qualifying course for HCPC registration
* Registration with the HCPC as an occupational therapist
* Practice Education training
Knowledge & Experience
* Experience as a qualified occupational therapist in mental health
* Experience of both group and individual work
* Experience in applying a range of assessment tools and a comprehensive knowledge of occupational therapy clinical approaches used in mental health
* Experience in a clinical area related to the post
Skills
* Able to communicate complex condition related information to service users, carers and colleagues
* Develop partnership working with individuals, groups, communities and agencies.
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.
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.
Application numbers
Name Ellen Fenna Job title Team Lead & Occupational Therapist Email address Ellen.Fenna@nhs.net Telephone number 0300 304 0066 Additional information
Alternative contact: Mark Brooks
Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist
Mark.Brooks8@nhs.net
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