Job summary
We are seeking to recruit two 1.0 WTE Band 6 Occupational Therapists for a 2-year fixed term contractto join an expanding small and enthusiastic multidisciplinary team providing intensive support for autistic people accessing NSFT mental health services across Norfolk and Waveney.
As a Band 6 OT, you will provide specialist functional, sensory, and environmental assessments, and deliver tailored interventions. Within this service you will be working clinically with a small caseload of autistic service users (18 and above) who are open to NSFT mental health teams and presenting frequently within our urgent and emergency care pathways.
The overarching aims of the Autism Intensive Support (AIS) team are to reduce the number of and length of stay for autistic people in acute inpatient settings. The AIS team provide an intensive recovery-oriented approach, which is trauma-informed and autism-friendly to autistic service users directly and undertake consultation, supervision, and training of NSFT colleagues to improve the confidence and skill of mainstream mental health community and ward staff to deliver autism informed care.
The AIS team are based at the Weaver's Centre at Hellesdon Hospital, alongside the central locality crisis and home treatment team.
Main duties of the job
This is a new team working with a small cohort of service users and we will be evaluating its impact. This will include feeding back to our commissioners in terms of clinical and social recovery outcomes for the service users. We will also be measuring the impact of the interventions in terms of service utilisation data.
This post will suit someone who has a passion for working with autistic people, is excited about the prospect of doing something new and different and has confidence in handling data and producing reports.
You would be well supported and supervised by an experienced Principal AHP (Occupational Therapist by background). You will also benefit from AHP leadership support.
Key responsibilities:
- Undertake Occupational Therapy prioritisation and deliver short term interventions, identifying clear recommendations for community teams.
- Complete specialist functional, sensory, and environmental assessments.
- Develop occupation-focused intervention plans and crisis support strategies.
- Provide sensory modulation, daily living skill development, and structured routine support.
- Promote meaningful participation and enable recovery in the least restrictive setting
- Contribute to MDT formulation, risk management, and community alternatives to admission.
- Support families and carers using autism-informed practice and environmental adaptations
About us
Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.
Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.
Why Norfolk and Suffolk? The people here are warm and welcoming, you'll never be far from the beautiful coastline or Broads National Park. We're an hour and a half away from London and have an international airport in Norwich too. Our villages, towns and cities are packed full of history, independent cafes, shops and theatres. We have excellent shopping, eating out, top ranking schooling and affordable house prices too.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The successful post holder will be supported with regular supervision with a Principal AHP (with an Occupational Therapy background), a yearly appraisal and CPD opportunities including in-house training, peer support sessions, and ongoing learning opportunities.
As this team covers a large geographical area, this role requires the ability to travel independently across Norfolk and Waveney to meet strict time deadlines for home visits, meetings, and appointments within community and inpatient services. You will therefore need to hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle. There may be the option of using NSFT pool cars. You cannot use public transport for this role as this is not a reliable form of transport and will not allow you to meet service needs.Please confirm in your application that you meet these specified criteria.
Please find attached our Job Description and Person Specification for more detail on your Key Accountabilities, then if you feel you have what it takes to make a difference in your local communities, click APPLY!
Job description
Job responsibilities
The successful post holder will be supported with regular supervision with a Principal AHP (with an Occupational Therapy background), a yearly appraisal and CPD opportunities including in-house training, peer support sessions, and ongoing learning opportunities.
As this team covers a large geographical area, this role requires the ability to travel independently across Norfolk and Waveney to meet strict time deadlines for home visits, meetings, and appointments within community and inpatient services. You will therefore need to hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle. There may be the option of using NSFT pool cars. You cannot use public transport for this role as this is not a reliable form of transport and will not allow you to meet service needs.Please confirm in your application that you meet these specified criteria.
Please find attached our Job Description and Person Specification for more detail on your Key Accountabilities, then if you feel you have what it takes to make a difference in your local communities, click APPLY!
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Bsc/Msc or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
- HCPC registration
Desirable
- Relevant post graduate training courses
Experience
Essential
- Post registration experience in mental health.
- Experience of MDT working
- Ability to work both independently and under supervision
Desirable
- Experience working in a mental health setting and/or with autistic people
Skills
Essential
- Ability to deliver OT assessment / treatment with designated client group.
- Ability to work under pressure, manage own caseload and prioritise.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
Desirable
- Skilled in delivering Occupational Therapy interventions within a mental health setting
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel independently.
Knowledge
Essential
- Specialist knowledge of Occupational therapy assessments and interventions relevant to this client group
- Understanding of the principles and application of the recovery model and social inclusion
- Demonstrates reflective practice
Desirable
- Up to date with evidence-based research for specialist area
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Bsc/Msc or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
- HCPC registration
Desirable
- Relevant post graduate training courses
Experience
Essential
- Post registration experience in mental health.
- Experience of MDT working
- Ability to work both independently and under supervision
Desirable
- Experience working in a mental health setting and/or with autistic people
Skills
Essential
- Ability to deliver OT assessment / treatment with designated client group.
- Ability to work under pressure, manage own caseload and prioritise.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
Desirable
- Skilled in delivering Occupational Therapy interventions within a mental health setting
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel independently.
Knowledge
Essential
- Specialist knowledge of Occupational therapy assessments and interventions relevant to this client group
- Understanding of the principles and application of the recovery model and social inclusion
- Demonstrates reflective practice
Desirable
- Up to date with evidence-based research for specialist area
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.
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.
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).
