Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 16 November 2025

Job summary

Arnold Lodge is a Medium Secure hospital for adult men and women with severe mental illnesses or personality disorders.

We are offering an exciting opportunity for a creative and forward-thinking Occupational Therapist. to join our service. You will be working within an innovative and well-respected Therapy Services Team.

The Senior Occupational Therapist post is for the male Personality Disorder service where you will have a dedicated caseload within a multi-disciplinary team.

You will lead in producing a high-quality Occupational Therapy service for the patients on the 2 wards within the personality pathway. You will supervise a team of Occupational Therapists and together provide a comprehensive treatment programme based on individual needs analysis. Your work will be assisted by Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioners and Occupational Therapy Support Workers. You will work alongside professionals from other disciplines to deliver a programme of psychologically informed treatment. You will be expected to contribute to the evolving strategy and philosophy of the male personality disorder service.

We will offer you regular supervision and excellent opportunities for training and professional development.

We are looking for an HCPC registered Occupational Therapist with experience of Mental Health Practice. Experience of working in a secure setting would be preferred but not essential.

Main duties of the job

To develop and provide effective programmes of specialist occupational therapy for an identified patient group and contribute to the overall development of the Therapy Services Department.

To develop and provide a variety of specialist individual and group occupational therapy interventions to an identified caseload within a specific care stream.

To be responsible for the development, provision and regular review of a needs led therapy services programme to an identified care stream.

To be responsible for the clinical and managerial supervision, appraisals and support provided to identified Therapy Services staff.

To ensure the clinical quality monitoring requirements are recorded for OT within a designated pathway.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £26.40 (standard) or £54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.

You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies.

About us

#TeamNottsHC comprises over 11,000 dedicated colleagues who #MakeADifference every day. We deliver intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic, and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire. Our care is provided from over 200 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings, and secure environments, including prisons.

We are one of the largest mental health and community Trusts in the East Midlands and one of Nottinghamshire's biggest employers. We also host national and regional services, such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.

We offer a variety of employee-led staff networks, including Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) groups, the Green Champions network, the Freedom to Speak Up network, the Health and Wellbeing Champions network, and the Menopause Champions network. These networks play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.

The health and wellbeing of colleagues is a top priority. We invest significantly in this through our in-house occupational health and staff counselling services, supported by a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team.

The Trust is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, with a specialised Energy and Environmental team working to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, enhance our environmental performance, and achieve our net-zero commitment.

Details

Date posted

03 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum (pro rata for part time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

186-1304-25-GH

Job locations

Arnold Lodge

Cordelia Close

Leicester

LE5 0LE


Job description

Job responsibilities

Develop and provide a patient needs led specialist occupational therapy programme using a range of assessments, treatment approaches and evaluation based on best available evidence to an identified patient group.

Be actively involved in the clinical risk assessment and development of risk management plans for patients and adhere to these.

Effectively manage a nominated caseload.

Adhere to Royal College of Occupational Therapists Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, and Royal College of Occupational Therapists Professional Standards for Occupational Therapy Practice.

Lead on specific developments and initiatives as required.

To make professional judgements regarding occupational therapy interventions required.

Attend and contribute to relevant courses, workshops and conferences.

Participate in the Trusts Annual Review process.

Continually update and develop skills, utilise CPD opportunities and maintain own professional portfolio.

Complete all essential training.

Engage in regular clinical and managerial supervision.

To be professionally responsible for all aspects of work, ensuring high standards are achieved and maintained.

To undertake any other duties that would be a reasonable expectation of the role, e.g. session cover.

Assesses, develops and implements occupational therapy programmes within an identified care stream, i.e. Male Mental Illness, Male Personality Disorder or the Womens Service.

Engage with patients to meet their occupational therapy treatment needs where possible.

Demonstrate ability to evaluate interventions and ensure effective outcomes.

Demonstrate an understanding of the need to integrate security requirements within all Therapy Services activities and interventions.

Ability to maintain clear professional boundaries when working with a challenging patient group.

To be able to develop, deliver and report on programmes of occupational therapy for individuals and groups.

To be aware of and adhere to individual patient risk management plans, including any risk or access changes identified on a day to day basis.

To produce timely and informative reports about patient progress for the care programme approach (CPA) review meetings.

To demonstrate the ability to set treatment goals in partnership with patients and the clinical team.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Develop and provide a patient needs led specialist occupational therapy programme using a range of assessments, treatment approaches and evaluation based on best available evidence to an identified patient group.

Be actively involved in the clinical risk assessment and development of risk management plans for patients and adhere to these.

Effectively manage a nominated caseload.

Adhere to Royal College of Occupational Therapists Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, and Royal College of Occupational Therapists Professional Standards for Occupational Therapy Practice.

Lead on specific developments and initiatives as required.

To make professional judgements regarding occupational therapy interventions required.

Attend and contribute to relevant courses, workshops and conferences.

Participate in the Trusts Annual Review process.

Continually update and develop skills, utilise CPD opportunities and maintain own professional portfolio.

Complete all essential training.

Engage in regular clinical and managerial supervision.

To be professionally responsible for all aspects of work, ensuring high standards are achieved and maintained.

To undertake any other duties that would be a reasonable expectation of the role, e.g. session cover.

Assesses, develops and implements occupational therapy programmes within an identified care stream, i.e. Male Mental Illness, Male Personality Disorder or the Womens Service.

Engage with patients to meet their occupational therapy treatment needs where possible.

Demonstrate ability to evaluate interventions and ensure effective outcomes.

Demonstrate an understanding of the need to integrate security requirements within all Therapy Services activities and interventions.

Ability to maintain clear professional boundaries when working with a challenging patient group.

To be able to develop, deliver and report on programmes of occupational therapy for individuals and groups.

To be aware of and adhere to individual patient risk management plans, including any risk or access changes identified on a day to day basis.

To produce timely and informative reports about patient progress for the care programme approach (CPA) review meetings.

To demonstrate the ability to set treatment goals in partnership with patients and the clinical team.

Person Specification

Values and Behaviours

Essential

  • oAll colleagues are expected to demonstrate that they act in line with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Values: Trust Honesty Respect Compassion Teamwork
  • oAll colleagues are expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and how it applies to their role. The Trust's expectations are highlighted within our EDI Policy, and associated EDI and Human Rights legislation

Physical Requirements

Essential

  • Able to undertake and complete annual training in physical interventions, i.e. PMVA, PSPT and Hospital Life Support.

Qualifications - Academic / Craft / Professional

Essential

  • Degree in Occupational Therapy or equivalent
  • Current Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registration
  • Additional Postgraduate qualifications to Diploma or equivalent level as relevant to the post
  • Fieldwork Educators qualification and APPLE accredited/prepared to undertake training as necessary

Desirable

  • Clinical Leadership qualification
  • Supervision and appraisal training
  • Additional training as relevant to the post
  • Accredited training in standardised OT assessments and outcome measures

Training

Essential

  • Training in standardized assessment / outcome measures

Desirable

  • Other training relevant to the post
  • Sensory integration training

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience in occupational therapy assessment, treatment planning, delivery and evaluation in a mental health setting with minimal supervision
  • Significant experience of planning and facilitating a variety of individual and group occupational therapy interventions in a variety of environments
  • Experience of supervising OT students as well as qualified and unqualified staff
  • Experience of maintaining high quality written records and producing reports

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a secure setting, e.g. prison, young offenders institution or forensic unit
  • Experience of research and/or clinical audit
  • Experience of service development and/or leading on clinical initiatives

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge and application of occupational therapy evidence based practice and outcome measures.
  • Detailed knowledge of treatment models and approaches used in mental health and personality disorder services
  • Knowledge of patient focused approaches and user/carer involvement initiatives
  • Knowledge of health and safety and clinical risk issues relating to forensic practice

Desirable

  • Knowledge and understanding of the Mental Health Act and other relevant legislation
  • Knowledge of Arnold Lodge and its purpose

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to motivate patients and staff
  • Ability to work independently and prioritise own workload
  • Good communication, negotiation and liaison skills (both oral and written)
  • Ability to function effectively within a multi-professional team and develop cohesive working relationships
  • Ability to maintain clear professional boundaries when working with a challenging patient group
  • Skilled in applying evidence to practice

Desirable

  • Presentation and training skills

Contractual Requirements

Essential

  • Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service, including occasional evenings and weekends on a rotational basis.
Person Specification

Values and Behaviours

Essential

  • oAll colleagues are expected to demonstrate that they act in line with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Values: Trust Honesty Respect Compassion Teamwork
  • oAll colleagues are expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and how it applies to their role. The Trust's expectations are highlighted within our EDI Policy, and associated EDI and Human Rights legislation

Physical Requirements

Essential

  • Able to undertake and complete annual training in physical interventions, i.e. PMVA, PSPT and Hospital Life Support.

Qualifications - Academic / Craft / Professional

Essential

  • Degree in Occupational Therapy or equivalent
  • Current Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registration
  • Additional Postgraduate qualifications to Diploma or equivalent level as relevant to the post
  • Fieldwork Educators qualification and APPLE accredited/prepared to undertake training as necessary

Desirable

  • Clinical Leadership qualification
  • Supervision and appraisal training
  • Additional training as relevant to the post
  • Accredited training in standardised OT assessments and outcome measures

Training

Essential

  • Training in standardized assessment / outcome measures

Desirable

  • Other training relevant to the post
  • Sensory integration training

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience in occupational therapy assessment, treatment planning, delivery and evaluation in a mental health setting with minimal supervision
  • Significant experience of planning and facilitating a variety of individual and group occupational therapy interventions in a variety of environments
  • Experience of supervising OT students as well as qualified and unqualified staff
  • Experience of maintaining high quality written records and producing reports

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a secure setting, e.g. prison, young offenders institution or forensic unit
  • Experience of research and/or clinical audit
  • Experience of service development and/or leading on clinical initiatives

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge and application of occupational therapy evidence based practice and outcome measures.
  • Detailed knowledge of treatment models and approaches used in mental health and personality disorder services
  • Knowledge of patient focused approaches and user/carer involvement initiatives
  • Knowledge of health and safety and clinical risk issues relating to forensic practice

Desirable

  • Knowledge and understanding of the Mental Health Act and other relevant legislation
  • Knowledge of Arnold Lodge and its purpose

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to motivate patients and staff
  • Ability to work independently and prioritise own workload
  • Good communication, negotiation and liaison skills (both oral and written)
  • Ability to function effectively within a multi-professional team and develop cohesive working relationships
  • Ability to maintain clear professional boundaries when working with a challenging patient group
  • Skilled in applying evidence to practice

Desirable

  • Presentation and training skills

Contractual Requirements

Essential

  • Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service, including occasional evenings and weekends on a rotational basis.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Arnold Lodge

Cordelia Close

Leicester

LE5 0LE


Employer's website

https://www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Arnold Lodge

Cordelia Close

Leicester

LE5 0LE


Employer's website

https://www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist

Alison Rimmington

alison.rimmington@nottshc.nhs.uk

01162077862

Details

Date posted

03 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum (pro rata for part time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

186-1304-25-GH

Job locations

Arnold Lodge

Cordelia Close

Leicester

LE5 0LE


Supporting documents

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