Band 5/6 Developmental Occupational Therapist

Job overview

Are you a motivated Occupational Therapist ready to make a meaningful difference in low-secure forensic mental health care?

We are offering a 5/6 OT Development post to join our Therapies Team at Francis Willis Unit. Rated Good overall by the CQC following an unannounced inspection in February 2026, Francis Willis was recognised for strong multidisciplinary working, robust governance, safety, dignity, personalised care, safeguarding, inclusive patient involvement and a positive culture of learning and improvement.

An exciting opportunity to be part of a supportive, recovery-focused team where OT is central to helping people rebuild skills, routines, confidence and meaningful roles. You will deliver creative, person-centred assessments and interventions, including individual and group work focused on daily living skills, community participation, physical wellbeing, social inclusion, motivation and recovery. Interventions may include cooking, gardening, walking, gym, music, Recovery College, volunteering and community-based activity.

We are seeking a compassionate, confident and reflective OT with excellent communication, clinical reasoning and risk assessment skills. You will work collaboratively with service users, carers and the MDT to support safe progression through secure pathways and promote independence, choice and hope.

If you are passionate about occupational therapy, forensic rehabilitation and enabling people to live meaningful lives, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide high-quality occupational therapy within the low secure forensic service, supporting adults with complex mental health needs through recovery-focused assessment, intervention and discharge planning.

Essential duties include:

• Undertake comprehensive OT assessments, formulations and intervention planning.
• Assess occupational performance, functional ability, cognition, motivation, daily living skills, risk and barriers to recovery.
• Deliver evidence-based individual and group interventions to promote independence, meaningful occupation, social inclusion and recovery.
• Contribute to care planning, risk assessment, CPA/review meetings and discharge planning.
• Work collaboratively with service users, carers, the MDT, community services and external agencies.
• Manage a delegated caseload, prioritise referrals and organise workload according to clinical need.
• Promote positive therapeutic relationships while maintaining professional boundaries within a secure setting.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical records in line with HCPC standards, Trust policies and information governance requirements.
• Support clinical governance, audit, service development and quality improvement activity.
• Supervise, delegate to and support junior staff, OT support staff and students as required

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please view the attached job description and person specification document for complete details regarding this post

When completing your application, please demonstrate how you meet the role criteria.

We can also offer you many staff benefits to help support you, which include:

• All our employees have access to Employee Assistance Programme a free online 24/7, 365 days a year confidential counselling and wellbeing support which is open to family as well as staff members.
• Active staff networks
• Competitive annual leave entitlement
• Car leasing schemes
• NHS pension scheme
• Free eye tests
• Money-saving options through our salary sacrifice scheme
• Discounts on major high street retailers and restaurants

Get in touch today:

Our friendly team is here to answer any questions you may have about the role or the ward environment. For more information, please contact

Claire McGrath (OT Clinical lead for inpatient rehab and Low secure - Tel: 01522 309698 or email on claire.mcgrath7@nhs.net, or,

Lauren Gill (Ward Manager) Tel: 01522 309698 or via email

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.