Job summary
Are you an inspiring, forward-thinking leader with a passion for mental health and multidisciplinary collaboration? We are seeking a Senior Occupational Therapist providing expert clinical leadership in occupational therapy and serving as the strategic Lead for Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) across the organisation. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of AHP services within a Trust that places innovation, recovery, and person-centred care at the heart of what we do. You will:
Provide strategic direction and professional leadership for all AHPs (OTs, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, and others) across our adult, CAMHS, and specialist mental health services.
Champion the role of Occupational Therapy in mental health, ensuring high standards of care, evidence-based practice, and meaningful outcomes for service users.
Represent the Trust at regional and national forums, contributing to wider NHS improvement initiatives.
Lead on clinical governance, research, and quality improvement across AHP services.
We look forward to welcoming you to our ambitious, values-led Trust committed to excellence, equality, and compassion.
Main duties of the job
- Provide strategic and professional leadership for the Occupational Therapy staff within the Trust and enable strategic development of the profession in accordance with national and local NHS guidance.
- Provide expert level occupational therapy advice, lead on and be responsible for a range of Trust wide policy development and implementation for the delivery of high quality clinical care, services and developing occupational therapy and allied health profession practice to meet service user and carer's needs and operational requirements.
- Operate independently and be accountable for the professional and clinical performance of Occupational Therapy staff and to perform a representative and advisory role within the Trust for matters relating to the profession.
- Offer advice and guidance to the Chief Nurse, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Medical Officer and Service Directors and inform the Trust Board on the occupational therapy and allied health professions roles, staffing levels and skill mix within service developments for the organisation.
- To lead trust wide practice development and improvement projects as may be required.
- To meet all internal and external reporting requirements.
- To work with the Directorates and corporate teams to deliver the Trust's clinical and business plan and priorities.
About us
By coming to work at SLaM, you will gain experience of being part of an organisation with a rich history and international reputation in mental health care. You will have access to professional development and learning opportunities, and have the chance to work alongside people who are world leaders in their field. SLaM delivered more than 14,000 training experiences in 2014; providing an extensive range of learning opportunities for staff at all levels. In addition, our working relationship with King's Health Partners allows those working at the Trust to get involved in academic research.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will provide strategic leadership and operational management for Occupational Therapy and Allied Health services across the Trust. They will be responsible for service development, workforce planning, and ensuring high-quality patient care and clinical standards aligned with national and local health strategies. The role includes professional leadership, budget management, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to drive innovation and efficiency.
They are responsible for working with the Chief Nurse, Deputy Directors of Nursing, Chief Operating Officer, Service Directors and Clinical Directors and the Heads of Nursing to establish high quality occupational therapy and allied health professions practice and care throughout the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
The post will line manage the Bethlem occupational therapy department, the AHP workforce development lead, the practice placement lead, occupational therapy services and development manager and the corporate dietetic and physiotherapy services.
The post holder will ensure that all the directorate Lead occupational therapists operate within a robust framework which ensures professional leadership for occupational therapy staff, timely interpretation of national and local policies, ensuring systematic and appropriate governance of occupational therapy practice within the directorates. To also ensure that systems for effective professional supervision and support are established and maintained across all occupational therapy services within the directorates including systems for effective recruitment and retention, professional knowledge and skills development and the identification of continued professional development needs and training.
The post holder will be responsible for the operational line management of the Trust wide volunteering services and work with the Maudsley Charity to support the oversight, governance and development of the volunteer services.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will provide strategic leadership and operational management for Occupational Therapy and Allied Health services across the Trust. They will be responsible for service development, workforce planning, and ensuring high-quality patient care and clinical standards aligned with national and local health strategies. The role includes professional leadership, budget management, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to drive innovation and efficiency.
They are responsible for working with the Chief Nurse, Deputy Directors of Nursing, Chief Operating Officer, Service Directors and Clinical Directors and the Heads of Nursing to establish high quality occupational therapy and allied health professions practice and care throughout the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
The post will line manage the Bethlem occupational therapy department, the AHP workforce development lead, the practice placement lead, occupational therapy services and development manager and the corporate dietetic and physiotherapy services.
The post holder will ensure that all the directorate Lead occupational therapists operate within a robust framework which ensures professional leadership for occupational therapy staff, timely interpretation of national and local policies, ensuring systematic and appropriate governance of occupational therapy practice within the directorates. To also ensure that systems for effective professional supervision and support are established and maintained across all occupational therapy services within the directorates including systems for effective recruitment and retention, professional knowledge and skills development and the identification of continued professional development needs and training.
The post holder will be responsible for the operational line management of the Trust wide volunteering services and work with the Maudsley Charity to support the oversight, governance and development of the volunteer services.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma/BSc/Masters in Occupational Therapy.
- Current occupational therapy HCPC registration and Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
- Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).
- Qualification / Training in management and/or clinical leadership.
Desirable
- Advanced Post graduate clinical / management Qualifications
- Masters level achievement MSc/MA/MPhil or Doctoral Qualification
Experience
Essential
- Highly developed specialist knowledge, skills and experience in the mental health field and Significant post qualification experience in senior role/s.
- Experience of working as a registered practitioner in at least two differing specialist areas (mental health / physical health services)
- Experience of leading project, change and people management and Experience in a senior leadership or management role
- Proven experience of effective communication with patients, carers, staff, managers & external agencies
- Service development work including: 1. Formulating and implementing policies & procedures 2. Formulating, implementing and monitoring standards 3. Formulating, setting & managing Budgets
Desirable
- An understanding of the current and possible future applications of IT in respect of communications and information management
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma/BSc/Masters in Occupational Therapy.
- Current occupational therapy HCPC registration and Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
- Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).
- Qualification / Training in management and/or clinical leadership.
Desirable
- Advanced Post graduate clinical / management Qualifications
- Masters level achievement MSc/MA/MPhil or Doctoral Qualification
Experience
Essential
- Highly developed specialist knowledge, skills and experience in the mental health field and Significant post qualification experience in senior role/s.
- Experience of working as a registered practitioner in at least two differing specialist areas (mental health / physical health services)
- Experience of leading project, change and people management and Experience in a senior leadership or management role
- Proven experience of effective communication with patients, carers, staff, managers & external agencies
- Service development work including: 1. Formulating and implementing policies & procedures 2. Formulating, implementing and monitoring standards 3. Formulating, setting & managing Budgets
Desirable
- An understanding of the current and possible future applications of IT in respect of communications and information management
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).
