Apprentice Occupational Therapist

Job overview

Saxmundham and North East Integrated Neighbourhood Team (INT) have an exciting opportunity for someone to join our integrated therapy team to embark on their journey to becoming an Occupational Therapist, through an apprenticeship.

We are seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking individual to join our team, based within Leiston, delivering support to those living within the community, on a full-time basis. The programme will lead to a BSc Occupational Therapy and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration, with studies completed whilst being an ESNEFT employee.

Saxmundham and North East INT is a partnership across health, social care, primary care networks, councils and the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector, working together to deliver services to meet the health and wellbeing needs of local residents. We cover areas including Aldeburgh, Framlingham, Leiston and Saxmundham. The integrated therapy team support individuals in the community and within clinic settings and work closely with our district nursing and adult social care team, who are co-located in the Waterloo Centre in Leiston.

Main duties of the job

You will join the team as an Apprentice Assistant Practitioner, working at band 3 level, where they will begin to develop their knowledge and skills in integrated therapy working. An interview will be required with the University of Essex for the Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship, which is a programme of 2 years’ duration. Please note that successful interview with ESNEFT does not guarantee enrolment on the 2025 cohort. Offers of employment will be conditional, based upon a successful interview with the University of Essex. Upon successful completion of the Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship, the successful candidate will be enrolled on to the two-year Occupational Therapy Apprenticeship programme, where they will be working at band 4 level.

The apprenticeship programmes will allow the candidate to combine working in practice with our team, with university studies, which is based at the University of Essex’ Colchester Campus. Apprentices will also have placement periods, where they gain experience in other practice areas.

In order to be considered for this role, candidates must possess the following qualifications:

• Level 2 Maths, English and Science (GSCE grade A*-C or 4-9 or level 2 functional skills)
• Level 3 qualification (e.g. NVQ 3, A-levels) in a science-related subject

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Occupational therapists support individuals in fulfilling their occupations. Occupations are activities that we need or choose to do to live and to look after our overall health. Within our team, occupational therapists work as part of an integrated service, meaning that they work in close partnership with our physiotherapy workforce, drawing upon shared skillsets and learning from each other’s professional expertise, to ensure joined-up and timely input.

You will be a trainee in Occupational Therapy and will complete a BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy as a level 6 apprentice which will encompass teaching blocks at University, Clinical placements (within different services in order to gain a range of clinical experience across different health and social care settings) and in the Workplace.

You will continuously develop your skills and ability as you progress through the degree programme so that on completion they can manage and be responsible for a caseload, with supervision from a Senior Occupational Therapist/Team Lead, providing effective Occupational Therapy to people experiencing difficulties with occupational performance.

You will assess needs, agree goals, implement intervention plans and evaluate progress in partnership with the patient.

It is essential that the successful candidate has their own means of transport, as they will be required to be able to attend university, placements, and fulfil their patient care visits, via their own means.

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.