Community Occupational Therapist Team Lead

Job overview

Community Mental Health Services are undergoing widespread, innovative transformation. The North London Foundation Trust are at the forefront of this transformation, developing a more holistic, recovery oriented, biopsychosocial approach to supporting people with mental illnesses, in partnership with primary care, other community NHS providers and the voluntary sector. The aim is to build support systems that reach the mental health population with a focus on prevention and sustained recovery delivered by multi-agency collaboration. Each population unit is based on the footprint of Primary Care Networks, bringing together NHS, voluntary sector, peer support and community organisations. These relationships is central to the community mental health model.

This is an advanced Occupational Therapist post working across statutory and non-statutory boundaries in Camden and is central to the success of the development of the new Service Teams. This is a high profile, outward facing post focusing on supporting colleagues across health and social care services to provide a whole systems, integrated and enhanced primary care approach to clients experiencing mental health issues.

Main duties of the job

Main duties

• To hold a clinical occupational therapy case load
• To support the team and offer advise and consultation regarding occupational therapy and clinical needs of service users
• To be the leader for Occupational Therapy with Camden Mental Health Teams
• To supervise junior staff and students
• To support OT and other Junior staff in their professional development
• To be an active member of the AHP community across the Community Care Group and wider Trust

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Senior Occupational Therapist (Mental Health)

The Senior Occupational Therapist is a specialist clinical and leadership role responsible for delivering high-quality, evidence-based occupational therapy services to individuals with complex mental health needs, including those with co‑morbid physical health conditions. The post holder works autonomously within a multidisciplinary team (MDT) environment and plays a key role in supporting integrated care across primary, community, and secondary mental health services.

The role includes responsibility for managing a complex caseload, contributing to service development, and providing professional leadership and supervision to occupational therapy staff. The post holder will collaborate with internal colleagues and external partners such as GP practices, social care, and voluntary sector organisations to ensure coordinated, person-centred, and trauma-informed care.

The role also involves contributing to the strategic development of occupational therapy services, ensuring compliance with governance standards, and promoting recovery-focused interventions that improve service user outcomes and experiences.

• Manage a specialist and complex caseload of service users with severe and enduring mental illness, including those with physical health comorbidities and complex psychosocial needs.
• Conduct comprehensive occupational therapy assessments, identifying functional needs, risks, and goals.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate evidence-based, person-centred interventions aimed at promoting recovery, independence, and wellbeing.
• Deliver both individual and group interventions, using graded activity and therapeutic approaches to achieve meaningful outcomes.
• Monitor, review, and adapt care plans to ensure interventions remain effective, safe, and responsive to changing needs.
• Support service users to navigate and access appropriate services, including primary care, community mental health teams, and specialist services.
• Apply advanced clinical reasoning to support managed risk-taking, enabling individuals to engage in meaningful occupations safely.
• Promote a recovery-oriented and trauma-informed approach, recognising the impact of trauma, inequality, and social determinants on mental health.

• Provide clinical leadership for occupational therapy across designated service teams, ensuring high standards of practice.
• Offer supervision, mentorship, and professional guidance to occupational therapists and other team members.
• Participate in recruitment, selection, and retention of staff and contribute to workforce development.
• Represent occupational therapy within MDT meetings, ensuring the profession’s contribution is clearly articulated and integrated into care planning.
• Support decision-making processes and contribute to care programme planning and risk management discussions.
• Deputise for senior occupational therapy leadership as required and contribute to service leadership meetings.

• Contribute to the planning, delivery, and ongoing development of services, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and local priorities.
• Lead or participate in quality improvement initiatives, audits, and service evaluations, using outcomes to inform practice development.
• Support the implementation of new models of care, including the integration of services across primary and secondary care.
• Assist in developing and reviewing clinical pathways, protocols, and occupational therapy policies to enhance service delivery.
• Contribute to complaints handling, investigations, and service improvements where required.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with multidisciplinary colleagues, service managers, and senior leaders.
• Work collaboratively with external partners, including: GP practices and primary care networks Adult social care services Voluntary and community organisations Other NHS providers
• GP practices and primary care networks
• Adult social care services
• Voluntary and community organisations
• Other NHS providers
• Communicate complex and sensitive information clearly and appropriately to service users, families, carers, and professionals.
• Promote integrated, coordinated care pathways, ensuring smooth transitions between services.

• Contribute to a population health approach by supporting early intervention and prevention strategies for individuals with mental health needs.
• Promote collaboration between services to improve outcomes across communities and reduce inequalities.
• Act as a visible presence in primary care settings, supporting liaison and collaboration between teams.
• Participate in local and regional initiatives to enhance community-based mental health care provision.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date clinical records and activity data in line with Trust and professional standards.
• Ensure compliance with: CQC standards and regulatory requirements Safeguarding policies and procedures Confidentiality and information governance frameworks
• CQC standards and regulatory requirements
• Safeguarding policies and procedures
• Confidentiality and information governance frameworks
• Use clinical information systems and digital tools effectively to support clinical practice and service delivery.
• Adhere to financial policies regarding purchasing and resource use where applicable.

• Maintain registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and comply with the RCOT Code of Ethics.
• Engage in regular supervision, annual appraisal, and continuing professional development (CPD) activities.
• Keep up to date with mental health legislation, policy developments, and evidence-based practice.
• Contribute to the training and supervision of students and staff, supporting learning and development within the team.
• Promote a culture of respect, inclusivity, and professionalism in all interactions with service users, carers, and colleagues.

• Deliver care in line with the Trust’s trauma-informed approach, recognising the impact of past trauma and adversity on mental and physical health.
• Work to create environments that promote safety, empowerment, and recovery, reducing the risk of re-traumatisation.