Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Practitioner (Occupational Therapy)

The closing date is 28 October 2025

Job summary

Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner (Community Children and Young Peoples Service)

Location: Newcastle/Gateshead Band/Salary: Band 4

Full time: 37.5 hours per week

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Occupational TherapyAssistant Practitioner to join the Newcastle/Gateshead Children and Young Peoples Service. If you are someone who loves variety, thrives on being busy, and is experienced at managing competing demands then this is the job for you!

The service provides specialist mental health assessment and intervention for children and young people with complex and enduring mental health problems including those with learning disabilities and neurodiversity.

You will work within a multi-disciplinary team under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist and carry out client-centred therapeutic interventions in order to enhance occupational performance and participation. You will work with both individuals and groups, and with children, young people and their families.

You will also be involved in the development, organisation and running of online webinars and therefore need to be very confident and comfortable with technology.

The service is based between Benton House, Sandyford Road, Newcastle and Bensham Hospital, Gateshead but a large part of your work will be in community settings such as schools.

The service operates from 8.00am to 8.00pm Monday to Friday and some work on Saturdays as necessary.

Main duties of the job

The Occupational Therapists and Assistant Practitioners work closely together to carry out therapy directed work, meaningful activities, and accessing local community to build skills. The Assistant Practitioners will have a level of autonomy, with regular clinical and management supervision.

You will assist the therapist to engage young people; identify their skills and abilities; plan therapy and intervention activities, and deliver 1:1 and group interventions. You will also monitoring their progress and making minor adaptations as required within sessions.

You will also run psychoeducation courses for children and young people, and parents/carers on a range of topics. These will be both face to face and webinars online. Being comfortable using technology will be essential in this post.

About us

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

Date posted

14 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

263-CCG25-350-HN

Job locations

Benton House

136 Sandyford Road

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE2 1QE

Job description

Job responsibilities

We would like you to write approx. 200 words in the personal statement about why you would like to join the Occupational Therapy team and how occupation helps our mental health.

Only people who have completed this and met the essential criteria will be shortlisted for interview.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Please find attached job description for full details.

Advertising date : 14th October 2025

Closing date : 28th October 2025

We welcome your application.

Please note - this vacancy may close early once a suitable number of applications are received.

Job description

Job responsibilities

We would like you to write approx. 200 words in the personal statement about why you would like to join the Occupational Therapy team and how occupation helps our mental health.

Only people who have completed this and met the essential criteria will be shortlisted for interview.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Please find attached job description for full details.

Advertising date : 14th October 2025

Closing date : 28th October 2025

We welcome your application.

Please note - this vacancy may close early once a suitable number of applications are received.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

Foundation degree in applied social studies or alternative (NVQ/BTEC/QCF) with additional training to diploma level equivalent in the speciality field.
GCSE A-C in Maths and English
Significant experience working in a relevant clinical service

Desirable

Experience working as an Assistant Practitioner within a relevant clinical service

Knowledge and experience

Essential

Experience of working in an appropriate care setting
Able to follow instructions recognising the boundaries of own competency.
Experience of supervising/teaching individuals

Desirable

Previous experience of working in Occupational Therapy
Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary setting
Previous experience working in a community setting
Experience providing online training
Experience working with people who are neurodiverse

Skills and competencies

Essential

Ability to establish a rapport with service users and carers
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Desirable

Audit and Evaluation

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

Foundation degree in applied social studies or alternative (NVQ/BTEC/QCF) with additional training to diploma level equivalent in the speciality field.
GCSE A-C in Maths and English
Significant experience working in a relevant clinical service

Desirable

Experience working as an Assistant Practitioner within a relevant clinical service

Knowledge and experience

Essential

Experience of working in an appropriate care setting
Able to follow instructions recognising the boundaries of own competency.
Experience of supervising/teaching individuals

Desirable

Previous experience of working in Occupational Therapy
Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary setting
Previous experience working in a community setting
Experience providing online training
Experience working with people who are neurodiverse

Skills and competencies

Essential

Ability to establish a rapport with service users and carers
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Desirable

Audit and Evaluation

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.