Are you an experienced Occupational Therapist looking for a Band 7 opportunity in mental health? We are a forward-thinking and supportive team, dedicated to clinical leadership, service excellence, and professional growth. The post is based primarily within acute inpatient mental health services on Calnwood Road, Luton, with the opportunity to support additional sites across Luton, Houghton Regis, and Bedford. In this role, you will provide clinical oversight to Occupational Therapists and multidisciplinary teams, deputise for the Head OT, contribute to service development, and play a key role in shaping the future of OT delivery in the acute setting.
You will be responsible for leading groups and workshops, facilitating training, and working closely with statutory and third-sector organisations to achieve positive outcomes for service users. We value effective workload management, strong clinical and leadership skills, and a compassionate, person-centred approach to supporting service users and staff alike.
In return, we offer regular managerial and professional supervision, monthly opportunities to participate in CPD events, and robust ongoing development via specialist training and a dedicated Band 7 Support and Development programme to ensure your continued growth and success within the role.
To provide an Occupational Therapy (OT) assessment and treatment service to clients within inpatient and/or community settings as required. To co-ordinate with other members of the multi-disciplinary and occupational therapy team and provide clinical supervision as required.
To take a lead role in service and staff development within local and wider service. To provide strong leadership and specialist knowledge and skills to ensure robust and evidence based occupational therapy service.
To take a lead on developing and maintaining links with relevant, statutory and non-statutory agencies throughout Luton & Bedfordshire.
To work closely with other professionals and partners in supporting the development and delivery of service user recovery, with the aim of reducing hospital admissions and supporting successful recovery-focused care transitions within the mental health service.
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.
You will receive regular managerial and professional supervision and as a service, we also provide monthly opportunities to participate in OT Service-wide CPD events and peer development groups. Professional development and training are actively encouraged through the appraisal process.
The postholder will use advanced clinical reasoning to assess the impact of clients’ mental health difficulties on their occupational areas and performance. They will apply specialist knowledge to conduct occupational/vocational assessments, one-to-one, and group interventions. The role involves undertaking specialist assessments of daily living skills to determine functional ability, risk factors, and accommodation needs, contributing to discharge planning and community care plans.
The postholder will promote and apply evidence-based practice, keeping updated on developments in adult mental health OT. They will lead clinical effectiveness activities, including audits, research, and contributing to Clinical Interest groups.
Additionally, the postholder will represent the service in meetings in the absence of the Head OT, contribute to service development priorities, and oversee day-to-day management decisions. They will assist with staff recruitment, provide supervision, training, and advice, and support the development of local policies.
In collaboration with the Service Head OTs, the postholder will take a leadership role in the development of the OT service, promote user involvement in service development, and ensure services meet the needs of both users and their carers. They will also contribute to staff inductions, attend relevant MDT and OT service meetings, and act as a role model in clinical practice.
Please see the detailed Job spec and description attached
This advert closes on Thursday 30 Oct 2025