Cygnet Health Care

Occupational Therapy Assistant

The closing date is 12 December 2025

Job summary

We are looking for a confident Occupational Therapy Assistant with a passion for delivering outstanding care.

You'll be working full time, 40 hours a week, making a positive difference to the lives of the people in our care at Cygnet Hospital Colchester

Cygnet Hospital Colchester is a 59 bed service providing a range of intensive support and rehabilitation services for men with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders or mental health needs.

Main duties of the job

At Cygnet, we support our people to grow their careers, gain new skills and keep stepping up. Apply now to enjoy excellent career prospects while reaping the rewards of making a difference to others every day. Cygnet Hospital Colchester is a 59 bed service providing a range of intensive support and rehabilitation services for men with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders or mental health needs.

About us

Cygnet Health Care was established in 1988. Since then we have developed a wide range of services for individuals with mental health needs, autism and learning disabilities within the UK.

We have built a reputation for delivering pioneering services and outstanding outcomes for the people in our care.

Our expert and highly dedicated care team of 10 000 employees empower 2864 individuals across 150 services to consistently make a positive difference to their lives, through service-user focused care and rehabilitation.

Details

Date posted

12 November 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£28,612 a year increasing to £29137.5 a year following probation

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

VP4F5A3409

Job locations

Colchester

CO4 5HF


Job description

Job responsibilities

Would you like to explore a rewarding career experience as an Occupational Therapy Assistant?

About Us

Cygnet Health Care was established in 1988 as an independent provider of health and social care services in England, Scotland and Wales.

  • Your Role:Occupational Therapist Assistant
  • Working hours:40 Hours per week
  • Salary: £28,612.50, post probation £29,137.50 and at 18 months £ 29,662.50.
  • Service Line:Learning Disability Mental Health
  • Location:Cygnet Hospital Colchester, Boxted Rd, Mile End, Colchester CO4 5HF
  • Responsible to:Head of Occupational Therapy and Regional Lead Occupational Therapist

Summary of the site

Cygnet Hospital Colchester is a 59 bed service providing a range of intensive support and rehabilitation services for men with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders or mental health needs.

The aim of our services is assessment, stabilisation, treatment and engagement, with a view to supporting service users in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their needs. Our services are recovery-focused, with the aim of preparing individuals for a move to rehabilitation or step-down services, and ultimately, back into the community wherever possible.

The team at Colchester consists of nurses, psychologists, psychology assistants, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and psychiatrists as well as 24/7 support from the nursing team. This means that we are able to meet the changing needs of our service users as they progress through their care pathway, while ensuring their safety is maintained and their independence supported.

Main duties of the job

The Occupational Therapy Assistant role involves planning and implementing therapeutic activities appropriate to the needs, choices and interests of individuals in our care, under the supervision and guidance of a qualified Occupational Therapist.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant will also be working with the in-house MDT which is designed to support the individual in our care throughout their journey with us.

Occupational Therapy Directorate

Under the leadership of our occupational therapy directors we support over 150 Occupational Therapists and over 160 OT support staff. Working together as a large team we provide support to each other across the group, with the opportunity to be part of specialist interest groups & become involved in service development.

Every service line has a clinical lead occupational therapist to lead and develop evidence based practice and agreed occupational therapy pathway.

We ensure our occupational therapy team members have a voice through participating in service model development, utilising the expertise and support of our clinical lead occupational therapists.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Preceptorship & Induction:

Starting a new job can be daunting, which is why we have a robust induction process that enables you to shadow staff, discuss your learning and receive expert support to develop into your role. We offer an Occupational Therapy Assistant preceptorship programme in your first12 months to support and consolidate core skills. We also offer regular, virtual Q&A sessions with our clinical lead OT and networking with other OT Assistants and Activity Coordinators in your service line.

5 reasons why you should make an application today

  1. We care about people in our services
  2. Expert clinical supervision with an occupational therapist
  3. Induction & service line training in area of specialism
  4. Dedicated CPD time for peer support, skill development and specialist training
  5. We support and develop you to build skills and confidence for the next level in your career.

Cygnet Health Care Benefits

  • Free parking
  • Free meals for staff on duty
  • Relocation package available
  • Group pension plan helping you save for your future
  • NHS Discount Cards & Blue Light Card (includes big brand discounts)
  • Wellbeing centre with exercises, recipes, financial and mental health advice.
  • Plus much more

A career at Cygnet comes with excellent benefits. Whether its saving you money on the high street, with healthcare, holidays & leisure or securing your future with professional development and a pension

Job description

Job responsibilities

Would you like to explore a rewarding career experience as an Occupational Therapy Assistant?

About Us

Cygnet Health Care was established in 1988 as an independent provider of health and social care services in England, Scotland and Wales.

  • Your Role:Occupational Therapist Assistant
  • Working hours:40 Hours per week
  • Salary: £28,612.50, post probation £29,137.50 and at 18 months £ 29,662.50.
  • Service Line:Learning Disability Mental Health
  • Location:Cygnet Hospital Colchester, Boxted Rd, Mile End, Colchester CO4 5HF
  • Responsible to:Head of Occupational Therapy and Regional Lead Occupational Therapist

Summary of the site

Cygnet Hospital Colchester is a 59 bed service providing a range of intensive support and rehabilitation services for men with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders or mental health needs.

The aim of our services is assessment, stabilisation, treatment and engagement, with a view to supporting service users in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their needs. Our services are recovery-focused, with the aim of preparing individuals for a move to rehabilitation or step-down services, and ultimately, back into the community wherever possible.

The team at Colchester consists of nurses, psychologists, psychology assistants, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and psychiatrists as well as 24/7 support from the nursing team. This means that we are able to meet the changing needs of our service users as they progress through their care pathway, while ensuring their safety is maintained and their independence supported.

Main duties of the job

The Occupational Therapy Assistant role involves planning and implementing therapeutic activities appropriate to the needs, choices and interests of individuals in our care, under the supervision and guidance of a qualified Occupational Therapist.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant will also be working with the in-house MDT which is designed to support the individual in our care throughout their journey with us.

Occupational Therapy Directorate

Under the leadership of our occupational therapy directors we support over 150 Occupational Therapists and over 160 OT support staff. Working together as a large team we provide support to each other across the group, with the opportunity to be part of specialist interest groups & become involved in service development.

Every service line has a clinical lead occupational therapist to lead and develop evidence based practice and agreed occupational therapy pathway.

We ensure our occupational therapy team members have a voice through participating in service model development, utilising the expertise and support of our clinical lead occupational therapists.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Preceptorship & Induction:

Starting a new job can be daunting, which is why we have a robust induction process that enables you to shadow staff, discuss your learning and receive expert support to develop into your role. We offer an Occupational Therapy Assistant preceptorship programme in your first12 months to support and consolidate core skills. We also offer regular, virtual Q&A sessions with our clinical lead OT and networking with other OT Assistants and Activity Coordinators in your service line.

5 reasons why you should make an application today

  1. We care about people in our services
  2. Expert clinical supervision with an occupational therapist
  3. Induction & service line training in area of specialism
  4. Dedicated CPD time for peer support, skill development and specialist training
  5. We support and develop you to build skills and confidence for the next level in your career.

Cygnet Health Care Benefits

  • Free parking
  • Free meals for staff on duty
  • Relocation package available
  • Group pension plan helping you save for your future
  • NHS Discount Cards & Blue Light Card (includes big brand discounts)
  • Wellbeing centre with exercises, recipes, financial and mental health advice.
  • Plus much more

A career at Cygnet comes with excellent benefits. Whether its saving you money on the high street, with healthcare, holidays & leisure or securing your future with professional development and a pension

Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

  • Please refer to job description above

Desirable

  • Please refer to job description above
Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

  • Please refer to job description above

Desirable

  • Please refer to job description above

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Cygnet Health Care

Address

Colchester

CO4 5HF


Employer's website

https://www.cygnethealth.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Cygnet Health Care

Address

Colchester

CO4 5HF


Employer's website

https://www.cygnethealth.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Recruiter

Hannah Dunlop

VP4F5A3409.1286@vacancyposter.com

01217288111

Details

Date posted

12 November 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£28,612 a year increasing to £29137.5 a year following probation

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

VP4F5A3409

Job locations

Colchester

CO4 5HF


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