Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist (Band 7)

Job summary

Are you an experienced Occupational Therapist ready to take the next step in your career and make a meaningful difference within specialist residential services?

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Occupational Therapist to provide specialist occupational therapy input across three of our residential homes.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop and deliver high quality, person centred occupational therapy for individuals within learning disabilities and autism.You will work collaboratively with the people we support, their families and the wider multi-disciplinary teams to promote independence, meaningful engagement and quality of life.

Post: Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist - Band 7 Equivalent

Salary: £50,632 per annum

Hours: 40 Hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Darlington, Bishop Auckland and Hexham

Service Line: Learning Disability and Autism (Residential Services)

You will be supported in the role by a part time Occupational Therapy Assistant, alongside clinical supervision and professional support from Cygnets wider Occupational Therapy Directorate.

Experience or training in sensory integration would be desirable but it is not essential. Formal, recognised training will be provided to support the successful candidates development and the delivery of sensory informed practice across the services.

About us

The successful candidate will work across three residential services in County Durham and Northumberland, providing specialist occupational therapy input to residents who have internally funded multidisciplinary team provision.

The current OT caseload is approximately 22 residents across the three services:

Cygnet Hollyhurst: 11 residents

Cygnet Thornfield Grange: 5 residents

Cygnet Oaklands: 6 residents

Caseload allocation may change in response to residents needs and future commissioned MDT provision.

Details

• Date posted: 25 August 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £50,632 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: VPC734F724
• Job locations: Darlington, DL3 9LN, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Cygnet Hollyhurst- Darlington, County Durham

Hollyhurst is a 22-bed specialist residential service with nursing, supporting adults with learning disabilities, complex needs and associated mental or physical health needs. Its combination of communal and self-contained accommodation enables individuals to develop independence at a level appropriate to their needs. The service also has a dedicated Activity Coordinator supporting personalised activity planning, meaningful routines and community participation.

Cygnet Thornfield Grange Bishop Auckland, County Durham

Thornfield Grange supports adults with autism, learning disabilities and complex needs, including individuals who may experience significant barriers to social engagement. The service comprises a six-bedroom main house and three single-occupancy flats, offering different levels of support and independence. Facilities include an activities of daily living kitchen, sensory room, allotment and sensory garden.

Cygnet Oaklands Hexham, Northumberland

Oaklands is a specialist residential service with nursing for adults with learning disabilities, complex needs and associated health or behavioural needs. It offers a mixture of shared accommodation and seven self-contained flats, providing opportunities to support independence, daily living skills and meaningful occupation. Facilities include a sensory room, cafe area, conservatory and extensive gardens.

Occupational Therapy Directorate

Our Occupational Therapy Directorate supports a network of more than 185 Occupational Therapists across Cygnet. Working together as a large team we provide support to each other across the group, with the opportunity to be part of specialist interest groups and become involved in service development.

Every service line has a clinical lead occupational therapist to lead and develop evidence based practice and agreed occupational therapy pathway.

We ensure our occupational therapists have a voice through participating in service model development, utilising the expertise and support of our clinical lead occupational therapists.

5 reasons why you should make an application today

• We care about people in our services
• Expert clinical supervision and protected time for a weekly 1:1 with your clinical supervisor
• Induction & service line training in area of specialism
• Dedicated CPD time for peer support, skill development and specialist training
• We support and develop you to build skills and confidence for the next level in your career.

Cygnet Health Care Benefits

• Free parking
• Free meals for staff on duty
• Relocation package available
• Group pension plan helping you save for your future
• NHS Discount Cards & Blue Light Card (includes big brand discounts)
• Wellbeing centre with exercises, recipes, financial and mental health advice.
• Plus much more

A career at Cygnet comes with excellent benefits. Whether its saving you money on the high street, with healthcare, holidays & leisure or securing your future with professional development and a pension we support you to be happy both in & out of work.

Apply now to enjoy excellent career prospects while reaping the rewards of making a difference to others every day.

If you would like to discuss this role or arrange an informal visit to the services, please contact our Specialist Recruitment Consultant (Katie Dixon): KatieDixon@cygnethealth.co.uk

Requirements

The successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS and reference check and an offer of employment will be subject to successful clearance.

*Recruitment agencies please note: Speculative emails are not to be sent directly to our clinical staff, these need to go via our internal recruitment team. If speculative candidates are sent directly to a member of the clinical team, we will consider these candidates as our own*

What next?

If you care about making a difference we want to talk to you.

Click the button to apply