Senior Occupational Therapist – Community Mental Health Team


Location
Salary
£39,959 – £48,117 Per annum
Profession
Occupational Therapist
Grade
Band 6
Deadline
18 Oct 2026
Contract Type
Permanent
Posted Date
29 Sep 2026
Medical Protection — the side of locally employed doctors from £83

Job requirements

Essential

11 listed

Requirements the employer expects applicants to meet.

  • Other

    Commitment to client-centred, non-discriminatory practice

  • Knowledge

    Application of the Occupational Therapy process with designated client group

  • Knowledge

    Assessment and planning of therapy intervention

  • Knowledge

    Ability to manage own workload and determine priorities

  • Knowledge

    Ability to work effectively under pressure

  • Knowledge

    Ability to work as part of a team

  • Knowledge

    Effective written and oral communication skills

  • Experience

    2 years post registration experience as an OT

  • Experience

    Post registration experience relevant to clinical area as an Occupational Therapist

  • Qualifications

    Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy

  • Qualifications

    HCPC registration

Desirable

2 listed

Additional qualities the employer would prefer.

  • Knowledge

    Knowledge of the principles of Clinical Governance

  • Experience

    Supervision of junior staff and/or students

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to join our friendly, supportive, highly skilled Community Mental Health Team.

You should have experience of working with adults with complex mental health needs, ideally in a community-based setting. You will need to possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, be highly organised and able to work both independently and as part of the wider team.

This is a varied and rewarding role, that involves undertaking detailed assessments and delivering a range of person-centred, occupational and vocational interventions. You will also be required to undertake the role of Named Worker, as appropriate.

There is a strong emphasis on multi-disciplinary teamwork, in a service that includes Nurses, Social Workers, Support Workers, Peer Recovery workers, Employment and Education Workers, Psychiatrists and Talking Therapies staff. We value the unique contribution each different profession brings to the team, and you would be supported within this role to utilise your specialist skills. In return for your dedication, we offer a range of training opportunities to help you develop your clinical skills and progress your career.

If you are hardworking, forward thinking and committed to continued professional development; if you share our passion for empowering people in Sheffield to live healthy and fulfilling lives within their communities, this could be the ideal next role for you.

Main duties of the job

  • To manage a defined caseload of community based clients, using evidence-based, strengths focused, client-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.
  • To participate in the development and evaluation of Occupational Therapy Services within a designated team, under the supervision of the Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist.
  • To regularly supervise Occupational Therapy students on practice placement.
  • To provide leadership for junior staff, as delegated by supervisor.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

DomainDuties/Responsibilities
ClinicalTo select and apply Occupational Therapy Assessments for a designated caseload, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits, enabling the client in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure. To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of work. To undertake the OT assessment of clients using investigative and analytical skills to formulate individual treatment plans. To accept clinical responsibility under supervision for a designated caseload some with complex presentations, prioritising need and taking on the role of Named Worker, where relevant. To plan and implement client-centred, individual and group interventions, using clinical reasoning and a range of treatment interventions to achieve therapeutic goals. To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment for clients in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of interventions. To demonstrate an understanding of the effect of disability and recommend adaptations to the client’s social and physical environment. To provide occupational therapy services in working conditions which may be hazardous e.g exposure to body fluids, aggressive persons, visits to high risk areas and associated travel risks To assess capacity gain valid informed consent and work within a legal framework with clients who lack capacity to consent to treatment. To work with clients, carers and relatives who may have distressing social/clinical circumstances. To act as advocate for clients, working in community facilities/organisations, enabling clients to access and participate in community activities.
CommunicationTo demonstrate effective communication skills with service users and carers, team members, Occupational Therapy colleagues and other agencies. To develop presentation skills in a variety of settings To develop skills in communicating complex sensitive and contentious information to clients and carers as appropriate. To promote awareness of the role of Occupational Therapy within the team and other agencies
DocumentationTo ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards To provide Occupational Therapy specific reports when appropriate
Professional ethicsTo comply with the COT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and national and local policies and procedures To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of clients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs
Leadership supervision & appraisalTo review and reflect on own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision, appraisal and Continuing Professional Development. To undertake the supervision and appraisal of junior staff as required. To provide professional advice and mentoring to therapy colleagues and other staff To take a lead on designated projects within the service area
Training staff & studentsTo plan and implement the induction, training and education of students and to participate in the planning and implementation of the education and training of other staff and volunteers To be regularly responsible for the supervision and written assessment of Occupational Therapy students on practice placement within the Trust
Service development & deliveryTo participate in the planning, evaluation, and audit of practice, clinical pathways and protocols in the service area. To participate in the delivery of the Occupational Therapy /AHP Development plan.
Professional developmentTo apply skills and knowledge which reflect competence and fitness to practice as a Senior Occupational Therapist To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, recording learning outcomes in a portfolio.
Clinical governance, quality, standardsTo contribute to the Trust's clinical governance arrangements To demonstrate understanding of national guidelines and legislation relating to health and social care in mental health service provision. To adhere to the principles of clinical governance and risk management and apply to the work situation.
ManagementTo exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance. To co-ordinate day-to-day activities of junior staff/volunteers/Occupational Therapy students where applicable. To be actively involved in the collation of appropriate data and statistics to inform team governance. To deputise for the Clinical Lead OT as required
Research & practice developmentTo demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate current research, apply to practice and disseminate findings at a local level. To participate in local audit and research projects.

The post holder will be required:

To undertake any other duties which may be allocated by the Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist in agreement with the Team Manager/Operational Manager within the general scope of the post and appropriate to the grade.

  • To maintain existing skills and attend training in new skills as required, in order to develop and carry out the work of the Trust.
  • It is the responsibility of all Trust employees to ensure that all duties are carried out in accordance with ‘best practice’ risk management.
  • All employees are expected to observe the Trust’s Equal Opportunities Policy in their behaviour to clients, patients, the public and colleagues.

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 Senior Occupational Therapist – Community Mental Health Team with Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust in Sheffield, England. It is listed as a Band 6 Occupational Therapist role. The advertised salary is £39,959 – £48,117 Per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 18 Oct 2026.

Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (29 Sep 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHSjob search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.

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