Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist


Location
Haywards Heath, England
Salary
£49,387 - £56,515 pro rata per annum
Profession
Occupational Therapist
Grade
Band 7
Deadline
15 Oct 2026
Contract Type
Permanent
Posted Date
01 Oct 2026
Medical Protection — the side of locally employed doctors from £83

Job requirements

Essential

14 listed

Requirements the employer expects applicants to meet.

  • Qualifications

    Degree/Diploma in occupational therapy

  • Qualifications

    Evidence of post qualification study

  • Qualifications

    Registration with the HPC as an occupational therapist

  • Qualifications

    Practice Education training

  • Qualifications

    Training in the use of standardised occupational therapy assessment tools

  • Knowledge/Experience

    Extensive experience as a qualified occupational therapist in mental health

  • Knowledge/Experience

    Broad experience of working with clients with a range of mental health problems

  • Knowledge/Experience

    Experience of both group and individual work

  • Knowledge/Experience

    Experience of multidisciplinary working

  • Knowledge/Experience

    Experience of supervising staff and students

  • Knowledge/Experience

    Experience as a Care Coordinator

  • Knowledge/Experience

    Experience in a clinical area related to the post

  • Knowledge/Experience

    Leadership experience

  • Knowledge/Experience

    Experience in applying a range of assessment tools and a comprehensive knowledge of occupational therapy clinical approaches used in mental health

Desirable

Not listed in the available specification.

Job overview

Are you an experienced Occupational Therapist and inspirational and compassionate leader who is curious, creative and looking for a new opportunity to lead a team of occupational therapists, OT technical instructors and peer support specialists?

We have a Band 7 Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist vacancy at The Chichester Centre.

The Occupational Therapy and Peer Support Team consists of registered occupational therapists, occupational therapy technicians and peer support specialists who are highly valued members of the multi-disciplinary team. We work alongside out allied health professional colleagues in medium secure inpatient service and community forensic healthcare services. The Chichester Centre team place an emphasis on partnership working.

The Chichester Centre specialises in the assessment and treatment of people with complex and enduring mental health needs, who may have had contact with the criminal justice system.

Service users regularly experience stigma for mental health and / or offending history and our role is to develop trusting and safe relationships which balance being compassionate, collaborative and supportive with sound risk assessment and management skills.

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job

With a focus on recovery, risk assessment, vocation and education, you will lead the occupational therapy and peer support team to support service users to enhance their health and wellbeing, develop valuable life skills and prepare for the next steps in their recovery.

You will:

  • Lead the OT and peer support team and be a member of the Chichester Centre local leadership team.
  • Lead on service developments, continuous quality improvement projects and report on OT and peer support performance.
  • Coordinate the OT therapeutic programme
  • Offer a variety of group and individual intervention to enable accurate risk assessment and development and maintenance of service users' skills
  • Work alongside colleagues within SPFT forensic healthcare services, the provider collaborative and oversee partnership working with external agencies.
  • Develop opportunities for risk assessed engagement in a variety of vocational, educational and recreational - enabling greater opportunities for positive experiences of social inclusion.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Previous experience of working with people with mental health difficulties is essential. Previous experience of working in Forensic Healthcare Services is desirable as are relevant qualifications that may support with the delivery of vocation and education interventions. There will be access to regular supervision, reflective practice and training and development opportunities, including attendance to communities of practice.

This role is part time, typically working across Monday - Friday.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details of the role and requirements.

For further information or to arrange a visit, please contact Janet Woodhouse, Professional Lead AHP, Forensic Healthcare services at janet.woodhouse4@nhs.net

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.

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Applying for this NHS job

This advert is for Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in Haywards Heath, England. It is listed as a Band 7 Occupational Therapist role. The advertised salary is £49,387 - £56,515 pro rata per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 15 Oct 2026.

Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (01 Oct 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHSjob search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.

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