Job summary
We are excited to offer a newly created band 7 Lead Occupational Therapy post for Westminster Adult Community Mental Health Hubs. The post is based in the Queens Park & Paddington Community Mental Health hub & will provide supervision, and professional development to the 5.0wte band 6 OTs across the Westminster Community Mental health hubs. The post holder will hold an OT caseload & lead the Westminster OTs in further developing & delivering the occupational therapy psychosocial interventions in the community. Professional supervision is provided by the borough Head OT. They will represent OT within the local senior team & attend borough wide meetings supported by the Head OT.
Our Band 7 staff enrich teams and the service with their managerial and clinical expertise. We recognise this & therefore view them as staff we are committed to fully supporting in their clinical & managerial development. There will be opportunities to lead on trust wide projects, shadow senior managers & become a clinical specialist through an ACP programme or advanced training.
We are looking for someone who is passionate about OT & ready to take the next step into leadership & service development.
The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage & support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients & service users when working on our healthcare settings.
Main duties of the job
The role will support and be professionally responsible for the OT's within the community Westminster hubs. The hub OT's will be line managed locally and will provide a service in line with the principles and ethos of recovery and social inclusion. The postholder will contribute their specialist knowledge and expertise in supporting this approach.
To be involved with the development and implementation of psychosocial pathway for Westminster community adults, including facilitation of local groups and managing a caseload related to OT in the community hub.
To work effectively in partnership with a range of agencies and community providers that support service users in their recovery
To work in conjunction with the Borough Head OT and other Lead OTs in the Trust to support the development of and promote evidence-based OT within the community roles.
To be an active participant of the Westminster community hubs management team and support the management teams in the community hubs with OT issues as needed.
To provide training and education to occupational therapists and other professionals with regard to how occupational therapy may assist the recovery of service users across community services.
To jointly work with other Lead OTs in community services in CNWL to develop services including specific projects, audit and research
To act as an educator to students on practice placement & as mentor for OT apprenticeship as required
About us
Come and join us and be one of the friendly and supportive 1500 Therapists / AHP's in CNWL. We work in many different teams in physical and mental health, as well as a number of specialist areas. You could have a career for life with us and maintain your dual skills.
CNWL is very fortunate in having a long-established professional structure. This includes a Head of Therapies, an AHP associate director, Trust wide Professional Leads for all professional groups and borough and specialist professional leadership. This has the huge benefit of ensuring representation of our profession and therapies as a whole at all levels - both strategically and operationally.
Personal and professional development is a high priority as this enables us to invest in the development of our staff by providing excellent internal training as well as commissioning specialised external training and providing quality supervision. This ensures all our therapists / AHP's reach their full potential at every stage of their career. Our commitment to research, audit and evidence-based practice is made possible by our strong links with local universities and our CNWL AHP Research Network.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are a priority for us in CNWL we expect staff to be culturally competent, reflective and open to culturally diverse CPD opportunities. We are working hard support the recruitment and development of staff from all protected characteristics and welcome applications from any interested applicants
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main responsibilities:
- To provide professional OT leadership and supervision to the Occupational Therapists within the community hubs across Westminster.
- To support in the management, training and recruitment of Occupational Therapy staff.
- To assume responsibility for ensuring that all OT staff are capable practitioners, are compliant with all statutory and mandatory training and participate in annual appraisals.
- To lead on the strategic development of the Occupational therapy service within the community hubs, in partnership with the Borough Head Occupational Therapist and other B7 specialists.
- To provide highly specialist, culturally competent practice in all interactions with patients and in the preparation and design of all clinical interventions in order to practice evidence based occupational therapy for service users to establish and meet their occupational needs
- Ensure clinical practice supports inclusion for patients from all protected characteristics
- To apply highly specialist clinical knowledge and skills to undertake and evaluate evidence based interventions, both individual and in groups, which support service users in their recovery
- To provide occupational therapy for a caseload of service users in the community hub who require specialist OT assessment and intervention
- Promote the empowerment and education of service users in relation to their health, incorporating health promotion, relapse prevention and social inclusion principles
- Promote and apply equal opportunities policies and legislation and anti-discriminatory interventions that respect the cultural and spiritual customs and values of service users and carers at all times. Work alongside the community in The Community Hub to coproduce services and interventions for service users.
- To apply a high level of understanding of the effects of trauma and use a trauma informed approach.
- To provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to the service users social and physical environment that supports them to maintain recovery
1. Clinical1.1 To provide highly specialist, culturally competent practice in all interactions with patients and in the preparation and design of all clinical interventions in order to practice evidence based occupational therapy for service users to establish and meet their occupational needs.1.2 Ensure clinical practice supports inclusion for patients from all protected characteristics1.3 To apply highly specialist clinical knowledge and skills to undertake and evaluate evidence -based interventions, both individual and in groups, which support service users in their recovery1.4 To provide occupational therapy for a caseload of service users in the community hub who require specialist OT assessment and intervention1.5 Promote the empowerment and education of service users in relation to their health, incorporating health promotion, relapse prevention and social inclusion principles.1.6 Promote and apply equal opportunities policies and legislation and anti-discriminatory interventions that respect the cultural and spiritual customs and values of service users and carers at all times. Work alongside the community in The Community Hub to coproduce services and interventions for service users.1.7 To apply a high level of understanding of the effects of trauma and use a trauma informed approach.1.8 To provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to the service users social and physical environment that supports them to maintain recovery
2 Management and Leadership2.1 To provide professional OT leadership and supervision to the Occupational Therapists within the community hubs across Westminster.2.2 To support in the management, training and recruitment of Occupational Therapy staff. This will include managing and addressing of performance within the probationary, capability and sickness absence management guidelines and policies.2.3 To assume responsibility for ensuring that all OT staff are capable practitioners, are compliant with all statutory and mandatory training and participate in annual appraisals.2.4 To lead on the strategic development of the Occupational therapy service within the community hubs, in partnership with the Borough Head Occupational Therapist and other B7 specialists.2.5 To manage financial resources for the service; and respond to the request for, and delivery of, service efficiencies.2.6 To work in partnership with the psychologists, psychotherapists, other clinicians and service user representatives to develop the services.2.7 To work in partnership with senior managers in the MDT including the team managers, team leaders, service manager, consultant psychiatrists to support the management and development of services.2.8 To work in conjunction with the Borough Head OT and other Lead OTs in the Trust to support the development of and promote OT within community services.2.9 To work in conjunction with the Borough Head OT with regard to the development of OT within Westminster and to deputise as required.2.10 To work in conjunction with other teams and mental health services in Westminster Mental Health Services and CIS.2.11 To ensure staff adhere to Health and Safety guidelines and maintain safe environments and working practices2.12 To take part in an on-call system to offer telephone contact for the service users and volunteers out of hours, should this be decided upon in the future.2.13 To lead on investigations e.g. complaints, SUIs, RCAs etc. as directed by the Senior Management Team.
3 Communication
3.1 To establish and maintain effective communication networks with service users, carers and other health and social care workers; and agencies.3.2 To promote the role of OT within the service; negotiating and agreeing priorities with the Head Occupational Therapist and Service Manager in both boroughs.3.3 To develop and maintain effective professional communication structures3.4 To participate in OT, multi-disciplinary, clinical and operational management meetings.3.5 To develop effective working networks and partnerships with community agencies to support service users occupational and vocational participating in their environments of choice3.6 To ensure timely response to emails and requests for information.
4. Professional Development4.1 To keep abreast of changing clinical practice, new developments, evidence based practice and research4.2 To comply with and implement relevant legislation, policies and guidelines; taking a lead on translating such documents into Occupational Therapy practice.4.3 To undertake activities of Continuous Professional Development including identifying own learning needs and recording learning outcomes in a portfolio.4.4 To participate in national mental health specialist area activities that promote and contribute to the building of knowledge and evidence base for the benefit of the professional body of Occupational Therapy4.5 Participate in the promotion of the profession through visiting schools and colleges to expand the profession and encourage increased applications for training from those in protected characteristics.4.6 Engage in regular reflection regarding equality, diversity and inclusion issues related to clinical practice and attend culturally diverse CPD opportunities
5. Supervision and Appraisal5.1 To review and reflect on own practice and performance; and that of others, through effective use of supervision, reflective practice, operational management supervision, CPD and appraisal 5.2 To participate in the Trusts supervision and appraisal systems in conjunction with service managers/Head Occupational Therapist, ensuring that relevant training needs are identified and met through timely access/delivery.5.3 To provide and document clinical supervision to junior staff ensuring implementation of their appraisal objectives. The role will be professional responsible for all OT staff in all Westminster community teams and will directly supervise the Band 6 community OTs in Westminster.5.4 During appraisal engage in reflection about equality, diversity and inclusion issues relevant to clinical practice, the profession or the team.
5.5 Be part of a supportive staff culture of inclusion; recognising the needs and backgrounds of colleagues and playing their part in positively embracing difference within the team5.6 To offer consultation to other professionals with regard to occupation, and other OT specialist skills5.7 To be an educator for OT students on practice placement, in line with local guidelines, ensuring that practice placement educators facilitate placements for the required number of weeks. In addition to promote student placements with all Westminster community OTs and ensure all staff are taking adequate students in line with trust guidance.5.8 To provide clinical and managerial supervision to OT and support staff5.9 To act as mentor and provide guidance to OT apprenticeships5.10 To identify the training needs of junior staff and lead in the development and delivery of training initiatives; ensuring that all occupational therapy staff remain compliant with statutory and mandatory training requirements5.11 To facilitate and contribute to multi-disciplinary training initiatives.
6 Clinical Governance6.1 To work in partnership with the Management Team to implement the Clinical Governance and quality agendas6.2 To comply with and implement relevant legislation and social inclusion requirements6.3 To apply national and Trustwide guidelines/standards of practice in line with Trust and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists standards and guidelines6.4 To be directly accountable for own clinical practice6.5 To maintain and observe confidentiality of all information relating to service users as laid down in the Confidentiality Policy and Caldicott Principles.6.6 To ensure that the OT Team comply with relevant guidelines and policies e.g. safety and risk, Care Act, Mental health Act etc.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main responsibilities:
- To provide professional OT leadership and supervision to the Occupational Therapists within the community hubs across Westminster.
- To support in the management, training and recruitment of Occupational Therapy staff.
- To assume responsibility for ensuring that all OT staff are capable practitioners, are compliant with all statutory and mandatory training and participate in annual appraisals.
- To lead on the strategic development of the Occupational therapy service within the community hubs, in partnership with the Borough Head Occupational Therapist and other B7 specialists.
- To provide highly specialist, culturally competent practice in all interactions with patients and in the preparation and design of all clinical interventions in order to practice evidence based occupational therapy for service users to establish and meet their occupational needs
- Ensure clinical practice supports inclusion for patients from all protected characteristics
- To apply highly specialist clinical knowledge and skills to undertake and evaluate evidence based interventions, both individual and in groups, which support service users in their recovery
- To provide occupational therapy for a caseload of service users in the community hub who require specialist OT assessment and intervention
- Promote the empowerment and education of service users in relation to their health, incorporating health promotion, relapse prevention and social inclusion principles
- Promote and apply equal opportunities policies and legislation and anti-discriminatory interventions that respect the cultural and spiritual customs and values of service users and carers at all times. Work alongside the community in The Community Hub to coproduce services and interventions for service users.
- To apply a high level of understanding of the effects of trauma and use a trauma informed approach.
- To provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to the service users social and physical environment that supports them to maintain recovery
1. Clinical1.1 To provide highly specialist, culturally competent practice in all interactions with patients and in the preparation and design of all clinical interventions in order to practice evidence based occupational therapy for service users to establish and meet their occupational needs.1.2 Ensure clinical practice supports inclusion for patients from all protected characteristics1.3 To apply highly specialist clinical knowledge and skills to undertake and evaluate evidence -based interventions, both individual and in groups, which support service users in their recovery1.4 To provide occupational therapy for a caseload of service users in the community hub who require specialist OT assessment and intervention1.5 Promote the empowerment and education of service users in relation to their health, incorporating health promotion, relapse prevention and social inclusion principles.1.6 Promote and apply equal opportunities policies and legislation and anti-discriminatory interventions that respect the cultural and spiritual customs and values of service users and carers at all times. Work alongside the community in The Community Hub to coproduce services and interventions for service users.1.7 To apply a high level of understanding of the effects of trauma and use a trauma informed approach.1.8 To provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to the service users social and physical environment that supports them to maintain recovery
2 Management and Leadership2.1 To provide professional OT leadership and supervision to the Occupational Therapists within the community hubs across Westminster.2.2 To support in the management, training and recruitment of Occupational Therapy staff. This will include managing and addressing of performance within the probationary, capability and sickness absence management guidelines and policies.2.3 To assume responsibility for ensuring that all OT staff are capable practitioners, are compliant with all statutory and mandatory training and participate in annual appraisals.2.4 To lead on the strategic development of the Occupational therapy service within the community hubs, in partnership with the Borough Head Occupational Therapist and other B7 specialists.2.5 To manage financial resources for the service; and respond to the request for, and delivery of, service efficiencies.2.6 To work in partnership with the psychologists, psychotherapists, other clinicians and service user representatives to develop the services.2.7 To work in partnership with senior managers in the MDT including the team managers, team leaders, service manager, consultant psychiatrists to support the management and development of services.2.8 To work in conjunction with the Borough Head OT and other Lead OTs in the Trust to support the development of and promote OT within community services.2.9 To work in conjunction with the Borough Head OT with regard to the development of OT within Westminster and to deputise as required.2.10 To work in conjunction with other teams and mental health services in Westminster Mental Health Services and CIS.2.11 To ensure staff adhere to Health and Safety guidelines and maintain safe environments and working practices2.12 To take part in an on-call system to offer telephone contact for the service users and volunteers out of hours, should this be decided upon in the future.2.13 To lead on investigations e.g. complaints, SUIs, RCAs etc. as directed by the Senior Management Team.
3 Communication
3.1 To establish and maintain effective communication networks with service users, carers and other health and social care workers; and agencies.3.2 To promote the role of OT within the service; negotiating and agreeing priorities with the Head Occupational Therapist and Service Manager in both boroughs.3.3 To develop and maintain effective professional communication structures3.4 To participate in OT, multi-disciplinary, clinical and operational management meetings.3.5 To develop effective working networks and partnerships with community agencies to support service users occupational and vocational participating in their environments of choice3.6 To ensure timely response to emails and requests for information.
4. Professional Development4.1 To keep abreast of changing clinical practice, new developments, evidence based practice and research4.2 To comply with and implement relevant legislation, policies and guidelines; taking a lead on translating such documents into Occupational Therapy practice.4.3 To undertake activities of Continuous Professional Development including identifying own learning needs and recording learning outcomes in a portfolio.4.4 To participate in national mental health specialist area activities that promote and contribute to the building of knowledge and evidence base for the benefit of the professional body of Occupational Therapy4.5 Participate in the promotion of the profession through visiting schools and colleges to expand the profession and encourage increased applications for training from those in protected characteristics.4.6 Engage in regular reflection regarding equality, diversity and inclusion issues related to clinical practice and attend culturally diverse CPD opportunities
5. Supervision and Appraisal5.1 To review and reflect on own practice and performance; and that of others, through effective use of supervision, reflective practice, operational management supervision, CPD and appraisal 5.2 To participate in the Trusts supervision and appraisal systems in conjunction with service managers/Head Occupational Therapist, ensuring that relevant training needs are identified and met through timely access/delivery.5.3 To provide and document clinical supervision to junior staff ensuring implementation of their appraisal objectives. The role will be professional responsible for all OT staff in all Westminster community teams and will directly supervise the Band 6 community OTs in Westminster.5.4 During appraisal engage in reflection about equality, diversity and inclusion issues relevant to clinical practice, the profession or the team.
5.5 Be part of a supportive staff culture of inclusion; recognising the needs and backgrounds of colleagues and playing their part in positively embracing difference within the team5.6 To offer consultation to other professionals with regard to occupation, and other OT specialist skills5.7 To be an educator for OT students on practice placement, in line with local guidelines, ensuring that practice placement educators facilitate placements for the required number of weeks. In addition to promote student placements with all Westminster community OTs and ensure all staff are taking adequate students in line with trust guidance.5.8 To provide clinical and managerial supervision to OT and support staff5.9 To act as mentor and provide guidance to OT apprenticeships5.10 To identify the training needs of junior staff and lead in the development and delivery of training initiatives; ensuring that all occupational therapy staff remain compliant with statutory and mandatory training requirements5.11 To facilitate and contribute to multi-disciplinary training initiatives.
6 Clinical Governance6.1 To work in partnership with the Management Team to implement the Clinical Governance and quality agendas6.2 To comply with and implement relevant legislation and social inclusion requirements6.3 To apply national and Trustwide guidelines/standards of practice in line with Trust and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists standards and guidelines6.4 To be directly accountable for own clinical practice6.5 To maintain and observe confidentiality of all information relating to service users as laid down in the Confidentiality Policy and Caldicott Principles.6.6 To ensure that the OT Team comply with relevant guidelines and policies e.g. safety and risk, Care Act, Mental health Act etc.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
- Degree/diploma in Occupational Therapy
- HCPC registration
- Practice Placement Educator's Course.
- Mental health specific workshops and short courses
Desirable
- Post graduate training specific to clinical specialty
- RCA Training.
- Management & Leadership training.
Previous experience
Essential
- significant post qualification experience working in mental health services
- experience of working within adult mental health
- experience of supervising staff/students
- Experience in participating in audit / research projects.
- Experience in leading and/or developing a service/component of a service
- Experience in using a range of standardised OT assessments including MOHO assessments
- Experience in managing resources e.g. financial, stock, equipment etc
- Experience of effective partnership working, with external providers, in promoting socially inclusive opportunities for service users.
- Experience in completing Risk Assessment Tools.
- Experience in partnership working with external agencies.
- Experience in managing a complex caseload
Desirable
- Experience in completing Root Cause Analysis investigations
- experience in a variety of mental health settings
- Experience in managing complex HR issues with staff e.g. the management of performance / long term sickness.
Skills, Knowledge and abilities
Essential
- Individual and group work assessment and intervention skills
Desirable
- experience of leading on projects
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
- Degree/diploma in Occupational Therapy
- HCPC registration
- Practice Placement Educator's Course.
- Mental health specific workshops and short courses
Desirable
- Post graduate training specific to clinical specialty
- RCA Training.
- Management & Leadership training.
Previous experience
Essential
- significant post qualification experience working in mental health services
- experience of working within adult mental health
- experience of supervising staff/students
- Experience in participating in audit / research projects.
- Experience in leading and/or developing a service/component of a service
- Experience in using a range of standardised OT assessments including MOHO assessments
- Experience in managing resources e.g. financial, stock, equipment etc
- Experience of effective partnership working, with external providers, in promoting socially inclusive opportunities for service users.
- Experience in completing Risk Assessment Tools.
- Experience in partnership working with external agencies.
- Experience in managing a complex caseload
Desirable
- Experience in completing Root Cause Analysis investigations
- experience in a variety of mental health settings
- Experience in managing complex HR issues with staff e.g. the management of performance / long term sickness.
Skills, Knowledge and abilities
Essential
- Individual and group work assessment and intervention skills
Desirable
- experience of leading on projects
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
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).
