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Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity for a Band 5 to join our dynamic team and take the role of CAMHS Inpatient Occupational Therapist.
Lavender Walk is a busy and friendly service which welcomes new skills and new ideas. It is part of Central & North West London (CNWL) Foundation Mental Health Trust and is situated in Kensington & Chelsea (South Kensington and Chelsea Mental Health Centre, 1 Nightingale Place, London, SW10 9NG) with close transport links and local amenities.
We are a 12 bed General Adolescent Unit (GAU) that cares for young people between the ages of 13-18 years old, with complex mental health needs and emotional difficulties. We serve young people from Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham and Hounslow.
The team is made up of two Consultant Psychiatrists (one of which is the Clinical Lead), Consultant Clinical Psychologist (Therapies Lead), Matron (Clinical Unit Manager), Ward Manager, Qualified Nurses, Nurse Associates, Health Care Assistants, Speciality Doctors, Junior Doctors, Lead Occupational Therapist, Art Therapist, , Clinical Psychologists, Systemic Family Psychotherapists, Social Worker, Activity Coordinator, Fitness Instructor and Teaching staff.
To find out more about working in CAMHS please CLICK HERE for the video.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a motivated individual who is enthusiastic, forward thinking, and adaptable to work within our well established and welcoming multi-disciplinary team. In your role you will provide individual Occupational Therapy interventions and group work, using assessment tools and trauma informed recovery principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate treatment. You will work closely with the Lead Occupational Therapist to facilitate and help innovate the unit’s therapeutic and activity programme. You will also have development opportunities which include, providing supervision to both fieldwork placements to Occupational Therapy students and Activity Coordinators. There are established links and network meetings with other Occupational Therapists within the CAMHS Service Line and CNWL, with opportunities for continued professional development.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The detailed job description has been attached. Please refer to this for specific job description and main responsibilities
Person specification
Other
Essential
- The post holder must have the ability to understand and implement National Policies, Equal Opportunities and the Code of Ethics at level appropriate to the job.
- Willingness to work adjusted hours relative to the needs of the patient group (e.g. earlier starts/later finishes to optimise group delivery)
Desirable
- Membership of BAOT and Specialist Sections.
Education/Knowledge
Essential
- Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy
- Health Professionals Council (HPC) registered Occupational Therapist.* *or eligible for/awaiting registration
Desirable
- Evidence of CPD and self-directed learning
Previous Experience
Essential
- Undergraduate experience in mental health
- Experience in /knowledge of using a range of standardised OT assessment
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team.
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment.
- Demonstrate ability to be an effective and flexible member of a team.
Desirable
- Experience in working with children and young people
- Experience of using a range of OT Assessments
- Experience in acute mental health.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES
Essential
- Individual and group work skills
- Clear concept of Occupational Therapy and models of practice.
- Able to work creatively to engage patients.
- Able to build constructive relationships with warmth and empathy, using good communication skill
- Ability to treat service users with respect and dignity at all times, adopting a culturally sensitive approach that considers the needs of the whole person.
- Demonstrate an understanding of clinical audit, and evidence based practice in mental health
- Patient centred approach to service delivery.
- Timely reporting and record keeping.
- Good communication skills within various networks of disciplines.
- Experience of promoting recovery and social inclusion
- Ability to make constructive suggestions as to how services can be improved.
- An awareness of the CQC (Care Quality Commission) and it's function
- Able to prioritise workload and use initiative
Desirable
- Knowledge of child and adolescent development
- Ability to carry out physical assessments and intervention to address patients’ physical needs when necessary
- Research and development at undergraduate level.
ATTITUDE, APTITUDES, PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Essential
- Excellent communication skills, written, verbal, listening and use of up to date systems of communication i.e. IT systems, e-mail, telephone etc.
- High level of personal motivation.
- Flexible in approach in the running/activities of the unit/ward (within the clients/patients abilities)
- Demonstrate self-awareness and an ability to use initiative.
- Demonstrate the ability to reflect on own practice and take responsibility for own personal development
- Ability to work in a team setting i.e. collaborating/facilitating/directing and understanding diversity.
- Good organisational skills and ability to delegate effectively.
- Ability to encourage client participation and support delivery of best practice.
- Ability to manage conflict constructively within the staff and client setting.
- Flexible approach to service needs and ability to adapt to change
- . Understanding of the role of therapeutic boundaries and ability to implement and maintain these in work with children and young people
Desirable
- Experience in reflective practice
- Experience of promoting equality and diversity
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Band 5 Occupational Therapist with Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust in London, London, England. It is listed as a Band 5 Occupational Therapist role. The advertised salary is £38,488 - £46,852 per annum inc HCAS (pro rata if P/T). The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 12 Jul 2026.
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