Occupational Therapy Assistant
Closing date: 15 March 2026
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Mental Health Recovery Service on the Isle of Wight in a full‑time, permanent role. As part of a supportive multidisciplinary team, you will work alongside Occupational Therapy staff to deliver a range of therapeutic and recovery focused activities for adults living with psychiatric disorders in the community.
You will contribute to the day‑to‑day running of the service by supporting group and individual interventions, helping service users develop daily living skills, and promoting independence and wellbeing. This role is ideal for someone who is compassionate, motivated, and keen to make a meaningful difference in people's lives.
Main duties of the job
Work as part of the Mental Health Recovery Service, assisting Occupational Therapy staff to carry out a range of therapeutic activities within the community as part of the multi‑disciplinary treatment for adults with psychiatric disorders. Identify and promote meaningful activity as a means of maintaining good mental and physical health.
About us
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides joined‑up mental and physical healthcare for around two million people across our communities. With over 13,000 staff working in the community and local hospitals, we deliver care at every stage of life, helping people live their best and healthiest lives.
Our mental health services include community‑based support and early intervention in psychosis (EIP) for both adults and young people, alongside a network of specialist inpatient wards covering forensic, learning disability, eating disorder and older person’s care.
We deliver extensive physical health services too, from urgent community response teams helping frail and older patients remain safely at home, to hospitals at home teams providing acute‑level care in familiar surroundings. Our neurological services offer rehabilitation and treatment for conditions including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Motor Neurone Disease, Head Injury, Cerebral Palsy and Stroke. Across Hampshire, our community hospitals provide inpatient rehabilitation as a step down from acute care, and our dedicated teams also staff Treetops Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Portsmouth, offering expert, compassionate support.
Everything we do is underpinned by our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect and excellence.
Job responsibilities
Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification documents attached. We are committed to an accessible and inclusive recruitment process. If you have concerns that a person specification may prevent or restrict your application because of unintentional barriers on the grounds of sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religion or disability, please contact the Trust’s Recruitment team prior to applying. The Trust will seek to resolve any such issues wherever possible.
We welcome discussions about flexible working – all requests can be considered as part of the interview process.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Minimum of 4 GCSEs or equivalent (Grade C or above)
Experience
* Must hold a full driving licence.
* Occasionally there will be a requirement to exert moderate physical effort for short periods during the working day.
* May be required to undertake PI training.
* Knowledge of major psychological disorders.
* Skilled and competent in ICT.
* Basic knowledge of relevant MHA assessment and treatment orders.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission for Disclosure will be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer name
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
£24,937 to £26,598 a year (based on full‑time hours)
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