Job responsibilities
The starting salary for this role is £42,239 per annum, working 36 hours per week. This role is based in Woking with a view to county coverage as part of the Enabling Independence Team. Surrey offer agile working where you will be able to work flexibly from both the office and home. The Mental Health Service is seeking to appoint an Occupational Therapist to join the Enabling Independence Team. Applications from newly qualified OTs are welcomed for this post and will be provided with full professional development support. Our Offer to You
26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' serviceOption to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leaveA generous local government salary related pension Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year Paternity, adoption and dependents leaveAn Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resourcesWellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shoppingA chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents. About the Team Surrey County Council is committed to transforming the way it delivers adult social care. As part of this transformation, a new Occupational Therapist role has been created within the Enabling Independence Team (EIT). The primary focus of EIT is to support individuals living with mental health conditions and/or substance misuse issues that have resulted in social care needs. The support we offer is grounded in strengths-based, goal-oriented practice. We believe that by exploring people's goals and aspirations-and recognising the strengths they already have or can access-we can help individuals stay independent for longer and remain connected to their communities. This new role reflects our belief that the occupational therapy approach aligns closely with the EIT model and that the addition of an OT will enhance the service's ability to support people holistically and creatively. You'll be joining a multi-skilled team that includes Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, a Senior Occupational Therapist, AMHPs, reablement workers, Assistant Social Care Practitioners, and an Occupational Therapy Assistant Team Manager. About the Role As an Occupational Therapist within our team, you'll work directly with individuals to assess their strengths, needs, and aspirations, while managing the impact of physical and mental health conditions on their daily lives through proportionate assessments. You'll help clients build routines, manage their home environments, and gain confidence in everyday tasks, using occupational therapy approaches to foster independence, reduce isolation, and connect them with meaningful community resources. You'll also provide clinical insight and practical strategies to colleagues handling complex cases, contribute to the development of skills gain programmes, and support team learning through reflective practice and informal training. Your role will involve applying key legislation, including conducting mental capacity assessments, best interest decisions, and specialist mental health evaluations. You'll carry out moving and handling risk assessments, recommend equipment and major adaptations, and deliver rehabilitation interventions that empower individuals to live fulfilling lives. Safeguarding responsibilities will be part of your remit, ensuring the wellbeing of those in your care. You'll collaborate across health, social care, and voluntary sectors to coordinate community support, including safe hospital discharge planning. Managing a caseload of adults, you'll uphold high standards of person-centred care, engage in supervision and performance reviews, and support innovation through the integration of digital tools like Microsoft Copilot to enhance client engagement and streamline practice. Shortlisting Criteria In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
Professional qualification in Occupational Therapy and current registration with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)Experience of working within a social care, health or community focused multi-disciplinary setting with evidence of a good mental health working perspectiveAbility to complete person centred and proportionate OT assessments, familiarity with moving and handling equipment such as hoists and stand aidsKnowledge of current legislation, including the Care Act and the Mental Capacity Act and its application to practice in a social care setting. Knowledge of physical and mental health conditions and the likely impact on the individual, carer and family with a good understanding of and ability to assess and manage risk Surrey has both urban and rural areas and locality based social care workers will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK and access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. The closing date for this advert is 05/10/2025 with interviews to follow. We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit. An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role. Local Government Reorganisation Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to new unitary councils in April 2027. Your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of these new councils, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities. Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Our Commitment We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.