Job overview
An exciting opportunity is available to work within the Adult Forensic Secure Mental Health setting, providing a quality service to service users who are deemed to have complex and challenging mental health needs.
You would work alongside a large established team of Occupational Therapists and support staff to deliver a clinical programme of individual and group work.
The Occupational Therapy service has a wide range of resources that support the patient journey towards discharge. These include a dedicated skills and education centre, a fully equipped gymnasium and sports hall and access to the unit Recovery Academy.
The department is committed to staff wellbeing and progression. Regular supervision, the appraisal process and continuing development opportunities are established and welcomed.
Applicants should note that an enhanced disclosure check via the DBS will be required before appointment.
Main duties of the job
To work with Occupational Therapists to address the following in groups and in one to one sessions:-
1. Motivation for Occupation - To support, motivate and encourage patients to engage in Occupational Therapy interventions.
2. Pattern of Occupation - To support patients to address their Activities of Daily Living needs and work towards an organised and productive daily routine.
3. Communication and Interaction Skills - To work with patients to develop and improve all aspects of their communication skills to enable them to function in all aspects of their daily lives.
4. Process Skills – To support patients to develop skills in organisation, problem solving, concentration and memory.
5. Motor Skills – To support patients to develop the necessary physical skills which will enable them to function independently
6. Environment – To enable patients to function as independently as possible, maximise opportunities to learn new or maintain existing skills and minimise the impact of the restrictive environment.
Working for our organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7,000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.
Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.
Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
See attached detailed job description and person specification:
Staff benefits
7. 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
8. Excellent pension
9. Cycle to work scheme
10. Salary sacrifice car scheme
11. Wellbeing programme
Person specification
Understanding of Occupational Therapy
Essential criteria
12. Knowledge of mental health disorders
Desirable criteria
13. Experience of working in a secure mental health setting
14. Experience of group facilitation
Experience
Essential criteria
15. Computer literacy
The Trust mandates all post holders who require a DBS for their role to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration throughout your employment with GMMH.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.
The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications
A candidate may utilise the help of AI when writing job application. The assessment of an application is made on its entirety and most times AI-generated content does not fully grasp the context and requirements of the job one applies for thus producing inaccurate and misleading information, especially in the supporting statement section of an application that can lack real life examples of one’s achievements, success and challenges.
We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored. GMMH reserves the right to follow up with a candidate at the interview on specific responses and those examples used in the supporting statement to explore it further.
Sponsorship
We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government’s website – click .
If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.
The Home Office introduces new changes from 22/07/2025 that impact the health and care sector, you may wish to familiarise with it.
Do you have experience outside the NHS?
We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities.
We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment.