
Job requirements
Essential
14 listedRequirements 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.
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