Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 7 Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist within the Berkshire West CAMHS Getting More Help Service, covering Reading, Wokingham and Newbury. Based at Erlegh House, University of Reading, this full-time role involves working with children and young people experiencing complex mental health difficulties who require intensive specialist support.

The service delivers responsive, formulation-led interventions through a collaborative approach involving young people, families, education, social care and voluntary sector partners. The successful candidate will provide specialist occupational therapy assessments and evidence-based interventions, developing holistic formulations and needs-led care plans that support positive outcomes.

The post holder will promote and develop the role of Occupational Therapy within the multidisciplinary team, providing consultation, advice and supervision to colleagues and junior staff.

The successful applicant will join a supportive multidisciplinary team, and have access to excellent continuing professional development opportunities. Staff wellbeing is prioritised through reflective practice sessions, team formulation meetings and manageable caseloads.

The ideal candidate will be a team player who is passionate about supporting children, young people and families.

Main duties of the job

• Deliver advanced OT assessments, interventions and outcome measures, using evidence-based, client-centred approaches for adults with complex mental health needs and diverse co-morbidities.
• Provide specialist advice and support to the MDT on occupational therapy and evidence based interventions.
• Promote recovery focused and trauma informed approaches.
• To have a role in the assessment of new patients referred to the service as required.
• To facilitate the involvement of carers and or family members in treatment programmes as indicated.
• Provide mental health rehabilitation and social inclusion through meaningful occupation and vocational engagement.
• Offer supervision and training to junior colleagues.
• Lead on OT service delivery within the CAMHS Getting More Help service.
• Represent and advocate for OT within CAMHS.
• Work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team and within a multi-agency system.
• Work autonomously within professional guidelines and exercise responsibility for the systematic governance of psychological practice.
• Contribute to audit, service development and research, as appropriate.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The “must haves” for this role:

• A Clinical registrable qualification.
• Experience in Children’s Mental Health services.
• The ability to manage complexity.
• To work as part of a team.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification. Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, it’s important that examples and responses given in your supporting statement genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey.

In addition to explaining how you meet the person specification, you must complete your employment history for at least the last five years. Any experience, skills or responsibilities referenced in your supporting statement should be evidenced within your employment history. Applications that do not include sufficient employment history to support the experience claimed may not be shortlisted.

We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Stonewall Proud Employer, Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Christina Subrai on 0118 9046780 or email: christina.subrai@berkshire.nhs.uk who’ll be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

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.