Central & North West London NHS Foundation Trust is a Top Employer Award Winner & works in partnership to provide responsive & dependable primary care, mental health, intellectual disability & substance misuse services to the diverse & culturally rich communities we serve.

In our quest to deliver patient-focused, quality care we are looking to recruit two highly motivated, innovative and enthusiastic Occupational Therapists to join our forward thinking, friendly and expanding Health & Justice teams . These brand new posts will be split across two sites, with flexibility around how this is implemented to be agreed upon appointment.

By joining our Prisons Health Care Team, you will have a real impact on promoting health & well-being of those in custody. As an Occupational Therapist you will provide a valued and uniquely contribute to a multi-disciplined approach to care.

Our motto is 'Caring not Judging'. By working in partnership with the criminal justice system & other agencies, we provide effective & responsive care for those who may have a history of offending and may be at risk of reoffending in the future. The opportunity of engagement in custody means we can enable people to improve their wellbeing, supporting better outcomes in the future.

Main duties of the job

The Occupational Therapist (OT) will oversee the development and implementation of occupational therapy within the mental health services. They will be supported by a Band 7 OT who will be overseeing the growth of OT in our Surrey prisons.

They will manage a caseload of people in each prison with complex, severe and enduring mental health needs, providing interventions which support and promote improved health. The caseload will be OT specific work, utilising an effective referral process. They will also provide input into the Neurodiverse pathway of care.

The post holder will work in conjunction with the multi-disciplined team to promote the understanding of the OT perspective and its application to working with this client group.

The post holder will work along side senior staff in the MDT to support the development of services. They will also support directorate wide development of OT as part of a supportive and friendly Health and Justice OT network.

The post holder will provide an Occupational Therapy perspective whilst engaging and contributing to professional meetings such as CPA, multi-agency case reviews, risk management meetings, and any other meetings related to the care and treatment of the prisoners in our care.

The post holder will also act as an educator to students on practice placement, as part of the AHP fair share agreement.

About us

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust offers its staff ongoing career progression through:

• Monthly supervision
• Annual personal development plans/appraisals
• Access to exciting internal and external training opportunities.

Excellent progression through various career pathway opportunities such as but not limited to:

• Preceptorship Programme
• Support and guidance with Revalidation
• Hidden Gem and annual award ceremonies

Excellent staff benefits, our benefit packages are amongst the best in London and include:

• Health and wellbeing services
• Season ticket loans
• Cycle to work scheme
• Relocation package

The trust alsovalues its staff and you are entitled to become a member of MyTrustBenefits. MyTrustBenefits is an online portal for all CNWL staff, as well as their family and friends. It offers over 1400 discounts at hundreds of retailers nationwide. Save money on your weekly food shops, toiletries, cosmetics, cinema, meals out, holidays, travel and entertainment. You can also access free online courses on a variety of topics, professional and personal, ranging from business management, languages, law and teaching.

All of our sites in Surrey offer free use of the onsite leisure facilities and free parking for staff.

As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide specialist OT clinical knowledge in the assessment, treatment and evaluation of people within prison. Applying an understanding of the effects of multiple, enduring and complex mental health needs on occupational performance.

To carry out mental health and risk assessment, for a caseload of service users and offer regular monitoring of mental state.

To work autonomously, within an MDT providing clinical professional judgement in clinical cases and referring to team members when necessary.

To contribute in the development of specialist individual and group programmes, supporting service users in achieving valued goals and satisfactory occupational performance outcome. Providing advice and support on lifestyle changes and adaptations where necessary.

To facilitate smooth transitions for service users between prisons and different service settings (i.e. prison to community). Establishing links and working in collaboration with partner agencies in order to contribute and manage aspects of an individuals care plan.

To provide specialist OT input into the Neurodiverse pathway, working alongside CNWL colleagues and HMPPS Neurodiverse Service Manager for each site.

To demonstrate excellent communication skills with service users, forming positive therapeutic relationships, using warmth and empathy, enabling service user empowerment.

To contribute, as part of the MDT to new initiatives and service development.

To provide learning placement for Student OTs as part of the fair share agreement

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy
• Registered Occupational Therapist (HCPC)

Desirable

• Post graduate training specific to mental health
• Qualifications/training in specialist skills eg. therapeutic/sensory interventions
• Practice placement educators course

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES

Essential

• Ability to deal with sensitivities and complexities, using interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication skills i.e. written, verbal, listening and proficient use of up to date systems of communication i.e. IT systems, e-mail, fax, telephone etc.
• Clear concept of Occupational Therapy and models of practice
• Ability to work autonomously, on own initiative and under pressure to meet deadlines & to make and action decisions independently within agreed time frames
• Ability to maintain effective partnership working with resources both internal and external to the Trust
• Ability to determine the impact of mental and physical conditions on a service user's functional ability and undertake assessment/make recommendations with regards to the provision of equipment/aids and adaptations
• Ability to recognise and articulate own values and principles , understanding how these may different from those of others

Desirable

• Delivery of formal presentations and teaching sessions

ATTITUDES, APTITUDES PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Essential

• Committed to working as part of an MDT
• Able to work flexibly
• Able to utilise supervision effectively
• Demonstrates a commitment to personal development
• Demonstrates an enthusiasm for the post
• Ability to work independently and is self motivated

Experience

Essential

• Post qualification experience working in mental health services
• Experience in participating in audit / research projects
• Experience in developing service activities
• Experience in using a range of standardised OT assessments
• Experience in managing resources
• Experience of effective partnership working, with external providers, in promoting socially inclusive opportunities for service users
• Experience in completing Risk Assessment Tools

Desirable

• Experience in prison and/or secure settings
• Experience of supervising students/junior staff

Employer details

Employer name

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

HMP Downview

Sutton, Surrey

SM2 5PJ

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

333-D-HJ-1351-C