South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Occupational Therapist - Band 5

The closing date is 11 September 2025

Job summary

1 x 37.5 hours per week - internal only

Hello, my name is Jo Harrison and I am the Occupational Therapy Team Manager for Barnsley and Wakefield Acute Inpatients. The Barnsley Inpatient Occupational Therapy team have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic Band 5 Occupational Therapist to join the team.

The successful applicant will be responsible for providing specialist assessments and therapeutic interventions for service users currently in receipt of in-patient mental health care.

The post holder will work alongside a dedicated multidisciplinary team, comprising consultant psychiatrists, psychologists, nursing staff and physiotherapists.

We pride ourselves on being an open and honest Trust, providing the best possible care to our service users across our sites. You will be well supported and encouraged to develop your clinical and professional competencies within a stimulating learning environment. The Trust is committed to staff health and wellbeing, and you will be encouraged to learn, develop, and grow.

The organisation has a well-established professional leadership structure led by a Chief AHP, with access to strong professional networks and a wide range of profession specific training and career progression opportunities available.

At the time of advertising, this role does meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. We look forward to receiving your application.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a highly motivated, innovative and caring Occupational Therapist who can demonstrate excellent communication and interaction skills, as well as sound clinical decision making. You will have your own caseload providing specialist assessments and therapeutic interventions for service users and will be responsible for supporting others through supervision.

The team (comprised of a Band 7 team manager, Band 6 OT, x2 Band 5 OTs and x3 Occupational Therapy Assistants), plays an important role in facilitating the safe and effective discharge of our service users and is a valued part of our inpatient adult and older peoples services provision.

We adopt a recovery-based approach, using evidence-based interventions and professional models (e.g MOHO) to inform our practice. A range of 1:1 interventions and therapeutic groups are provided.

We are committed to providing holistic care and you will gain experience of working with a wide range of conditions. You will have opportunity to work closely with the MDT and external providers to meet the needs of our service users. Professional networking is actively encouraged, and we have well established links with our local partners.

We actively welcome any prospective applicants to make contact to discuss the role further.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Date posted

28 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9378-B2197

Job locations

Kendray Hospital

Doncaster Road

Barnsley

S Yorkshire

S70 3RD

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will be required to work as an integral part of the multi-disciplinary team, providing occupational therapy assessment and treatment for service users in receipt of in-patient care. Enabling service users to engage in a range of in-patient and community based treatment activities and supporting safe and effective discharge. You will be actively involved in the promotion of occupational therapy within the service area. The post holder will be required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and the client group, and this will include weekends and evening working.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

Core Functions

1. Clinical

1.1 To provide occupational therapy assessments for people accessing the service, prioritising on the nature, complexity and urgency of each individual case.

1.2 To plan and implement an occupational therapy treatment programme on an individual and/or group basis, using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals.

1.3 To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.

1.4 To adopt a client centred and sensitive approach to therapy, collaborating with clients (and / or carer(s) where appropriate) in all aspects of the therapy process.

1.5 To select and conduct occupational therapy assessments, addressing the physical, psychosocial, behavioural, perceptual, cognitive, sensory and environmental needs of clients.

1.6 To demonstrate a broad knowledge of the impact of disability, and to provide training and advice on lifestyles changes and adaptations to the clients psychosocial and physical environment, making referrals where appropriate.

1.7 To work proactively alongside other staff and clients in meeting their needs and to assist each individual to integrate within the local community as fully as possible, using practical and creative problem solving approaches to gain the active participation of services users.

1.8 To participate in the discharge process identifying appropriate resources and/or support in order to facilitate effective discharge

1.9 To provide occupational therapy reports on assessment and treatment by written and verbal reports to Consultants, GPs and other agencies involved, and to ensure that all correspondence relating to caseload is dealt with promptly.

1.10 To provide occupational therapy perspective in multi-disciplinary team meetings, ward rounds, clinics and case conferences as required.

1.11 To work to the standards and comply with professional ethics for occupational therapy practitioners as laid down by The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT 2015), relevant DoH and other local and national standards.

1.12 To ensure that up to date records and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional and Trust standards and policies.

2. Management and Leadership

2.1 To manage your own caseload and day to day activities.

2.2 To assist in the co-ordination of day to day activities of unqualified staff in the service area.

2.3 To work effectively as a team member, operating flexibly to meet the needs of the service and collaborating with other team members.

2.4 Ensure the Team Manager is kept informed of all aspects of the work, especially the development needs of the service.

2.5 To participate in service development.

3. Communication

3.1 To contribute and receive information as part of a multi-disciplinary/multi-agency team to provide a co-ordinated and effective service to clients and carers.

3.2 To communicate accurate and sensitive information to clients and carers using an appropriate and accessible medium, taking into consideration relevant factors such as background, culture, gender, age and any physical, sensory or learning difficulties, adopting an empathic approach at all time.

3.3 To provide advice and information regarding occupational therapy and communicate clinical skills and knowledge to others.

3.4 To promote and understanding of the role of occupational therapy within the specialist area, negotiating priorities as appropriate.

4. Personal and Professional Development

4.1 To review and reflect on own practice through effective use of professional and operational supervisions.

4.2 To demonstrate ongoing professional development through reflective practice and participation in internal and external development opportunities as evidenced in a Continuing Professional Development portfolio.

4.3 To participate in the Trusts appraisal process and ensure that agreed objectives are achieved, taking responsibility for directing own learning and development activities (eg private study, e-learning).

4.4 To develop and apply clinical practice skills, knowledge and values within the service area.

4.5 To participate in continuing professional development within your service area.

4.6 To be involved in provision of supervision and review of unqualified occupation therapy staff within the team.

4.7 To provide clinical training placements for occupational therapy students as required within the area of work.

5. Quality

5.1 To apply skills and knowledge in order to establish professional competence and fitness to practise.

5.2 To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, recording learning outcomes in a portfolio.

5.3 To participate in the development of the best practice and governance agenda and in the development of a culture that improves quality.

5.4 To work within national and local policy guidance and adhere to the current legal framework relevant to specific client group and their carers.

5.5 To utilise standardised assessments and outcome measures that are based on the best available evidence and maintain up to date knowledge of developments in the evidence base related to area of practice.

5.6 To contribute to service related audit to contribute to evidence-based practice in the specialist area.

6 Health Safety and Security

6.1 To adhere to national and local policy and work within a legal framework (eg child protection, health and safety at work, moving and handling, data protection).

6.2 To be responsible for the health and safety of self and others in the work place, monitoring work areas and practices of self and other staff and ensuring safe and appropriate provision of equipment and appliances.

6.3 To take timely and appropriate action where hazards and risks are identified in line with Trust guidelines.

6.4 To undertake risk assessments as appropriate and to inform the Team Leader of the risk areas as appropriate.

6.5 To contribute to improvement in health, safety and security by sharing learning from incidents.

7 Equality and Diversity

7.1 To work within the legal, ethical and Trust policy framework, adopting an anti-discriminatory approach that promotes equality and values diversity.

7.2 To contribute to the development of anti-discriminatory practice and values within the occupational therapy service.

7.3 To adhere to the Sex Discrimination Act (1975 as amended), the Race Relations Act (1976, as amended) and the Disabled Persons Employment Act (1994, 1998).

For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.

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