Occupational Therapist

Job overview

Are you looking for a role where you can develop your occupational therapy skills whilst making a genuine difference to people’s lives?

Do you want the opportunity to work creatively with individuals with complex mental health needs, supporting recovery, independence, and successful community living?

We are looking for a compassionate, motivated, and recovery-focused Occupational Therapist to join our innovative Forensic Outreach and Liaison Service.

This is an exciting opportunity to work within a supportive multidisciplinary team alongside experienced Occupational Therapists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, and medical colleagues, helping individuals with forensic histories and complex mental health needs progress through their recovery journey and reintegrate into community life.

No two days are the same in this role. You will work closely with service users to understand what matters to them, identify barriers to independence, and develop creative, person-centred interventions that support meaningful and sustainable recovery.

This is your opportunity to join a service committed to innovation, recovery, and compassionate care. If you are looking for a rewarding role where you can grow professionally whilst helping people build safer, more independent, and meaningful lives, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and help support recovery beyond secure care.

Main duties of the job

As a Band 5 Occupational Therapist within FOLS, you will:

• Carry out occupational therapy assessments and interventions with support from senior Occupational Therapy colleagues
• Work collaboratively with the Band 6 Occupational Therapist and wider MDT to support recovery-focused rehabilitation plans
• Support service users to develop the practical skills needed for successful community living and increased independence
• Build therapeutic relationships with individuals who may present with complex mental health needs, forensic histories, trauma, and occupational disruption
• Support positive risk management and person-centred care planning
• Work alongside inpatient secure unit teams to support continuity of care and successful discharge into the community
• Contribute ideas and creativity to individual interventions and therapeutic approaches
• Deliver interventions focused on: Daily living skills and routines Community access and social inclusion Confidence building and emotional wellbeing Digital literacy and use of technology Financial management and budgeting skills Vocational interests, education, and meaningful activity
• Daily living skills and routines
• Community access and social inclusion
• Confidence building and emotional wellbeing
• Digital literacy and use of technology
• Financial management and budgeting skills
• Vocational interests, education, and meaningful activity

You will be encouraged to develop your professional identity as an Occupational Therapist within forensic services whilst receiving structured supervision and support to grow your confidence and clinical skills.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description for full details and main responsibilities of the role.

This is more than a traditional Band 5 role. It is an opportunity to:

• Develop specialist skills within forensic and community mental health services
• Work creatively and therapeutically with individuals with highly complex needs
• Gain experience supporting rehabilitation and discharge pathways from secure services into the community
• Deliver meaningful occupational interventions that promote independence and social inclusion
• Receive structured support, supervision, and professional development from experienced Occupational Therapists
• Build confidence in risk assessment, formulation, and trauma-informed practice
• Be part of a supportive and innovative multidisciplinary team committed to recovery focused care

Whether you are newly qualified or looking to broaden your experience within mental health services, we would love to hear from you.

Please note, whilst you will be based at the Trevor Gibbens Unit in Maidstone, this is a Community role where you will be required to travel regularly.

The post holder must hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car/vehicle to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010)

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.