• Job Description

  Req#: C9342-25-0610?language=en&page=442&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  We are looking for a dynamic; forward thinking Occupational Therapist Support worker to join our Occupational Therapy Team in Swindon. You will be based on the Rehab ward for adults of working age with MH needs.

  We promote recovery through engaging in meaningful activities to maintain or improve the service user's level of functioning and quality of life. Much emphasis is placed on providing service users with the opportunity to develop or adapt life skills. We aim to empower each individual to fulfil their maximum potential and independence, physically, psychologically and socially. We deliver a comprehensive programme of activities to inspire, encourage and support individuals who have mental health needs on their journey to recovery. As part of the team you will plan and deliver 1:1 or group sessions under the supervision of occupational therapists.

  Please note:

  This position does not offer sponsorship. Previous applicants need not apply for this post.

  Main duties of the job

  You will be involved in supporting our Occupational Therapists in assessment and treatment of identified occupational needs. We access occupational needs around volition, habituation and performance; our intervention strategies are activity focused and involve 1:1 work as well as group work.

  This job is highly rewarding as we strive to improve the quality of life of our service users who are better equipped to engage in self-care, leisure as well as work pursuits as a result of our interventions.

  High levels of professionalism, flexibility and excellent communication skills are required to work effectively in this role. Previous experience in mental health and running groups would be desirable

  About us

  We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust): a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.

  We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

  Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

  At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

  Details

  Date posted

  26 June 2025

  Pay scheme

  Agenda for change

  Band

  Band 4

  Salary

  £26,530 to £29,114 a year (pay award pending)

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Full-time

  Reference number

  342-SWN049-0625

  Job locations

  Sandalwood Court

  Highworth Road

  Swindon

  SN3 4WF

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  Clinical Practice

  1. Work in a collaborative and cooperative manner with service users, theirfamilies/carers and other health and social care professionals. Recognise and respect their involvement in the planning and delivery of care.

  2. Assist in the maintenance of a safe therapeutic environment beneficial to the needs of the service users, relatives carers and others.

  3. Contribute to the team approach, providing accurate and relevant feedback to registered staff: participate in team discussions and meetings regarding care of service users.

  4. Develop a therapeutic relationship with service users to encourage and maximise their interest and participation in therapeutic activity.

  5. Organise day to day activities for groups and individual therapy programmes including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation under the supervision of the mental health professionals.

  6. Play a part in preparation of risk assessments; CPA/SAP.

  Education & Health Promotion

  1. To keep up to date with changing practices and attend relevant trainingappropriate to the role as directed.

  2. Promote positive attitudes towards mental health.

  3. Attend regular statutory training and updates.

  4. Participate in appraisal and supervision processes from identified SeniorPractitioner.

  5. Contribute to the learning environment of staff/students

  Finance and Workforce

  6. To play a role in making best use of available workforce and material resources and contributing to provision of best therapy possible.

  7. Follow Trust and Service Policies relating to the security of the building/clients, to ensure safe practice and protection of clients, staff, visitors and members of the general public.

  8. Play a part in the service provision that is both safe and therapeutic within span of knowledge.

  9. Develop effective time management skills.

  10. Record Keeping and Administration

  11. To maintain standards of record keeping and associated administration in accordance with AWP Trust Policy and local joint arrangements and professional guidelines. This will include the upkeep of contemporaneous, chronological and accurate mental health records in accordance with relevant COT Guidelines and Trust Policy. Practice Development & Clinical Audit

  12. To participate with support in clinical audit

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  Clinical Practice

  1. Work in a collaborative and cooperative manner with service users, theirfamilies/carers and other health and social care professionals. Recognise and respect their involvement in the planning and delivery of care.

  2. Assist in the maintenance of a safe therapeutic environment beneficial to the needs of the service users, relatives carers and others.

  3. Contribute to the team approach, providing accurate and relevant feedback to registered staff: participate in team discussions and meetings regarding care of service users.

  4. Develop a therapeutic relationship with service users to encourage and maximise their interest and participation in therapeutic activity.

  5. Organise day to day activities for groups and individual therapy programmes including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation under the supervision of the mental health professionals.

  6. Play a part in preparation of risk assessments; CPA/SAP.

  Education & Health Promotion

  1. To keep up to date with changing practices and attend relevant trainingappropriate to the role as directed.

  2. Promote positive attitudes towards mental health.

  3. Attend regular statutory training and updates.

  4. Participate in appraisal and supervision processes from identified SeniorPractitioner.

  5. Contribute to the learning environment of staff/students

  Finance and Workforce

  6. To play a role in making best use of available workforce and material resources and contributing to provision of best therapy possible.

  7. Follow Trust and Service Policies relating to the security of the building/clients, to ensure safe practice and protection of clients, staff, visitors and members of the general public.

  8. Play a part in the service provision that is both safe and therapeutic within span of knowledge.

  9. Develop effective time management skills.

  10. Record Keeping and Administration

  11. To maintain standards of record keeping and associated administration in accordance with AWP Trust Policy and local joint arrangements and professional guidelines. This will include the upkeep of contemporaneous, chronological and accurate mental health records in accordance with relevant COT Guidelines and Trust Policy. Practice Development & Clinical Audit

  12. To participate with support in clinical audit

  Person Specification

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • NVQ level 3 in a relevant subject or substantial equivalent experience gained in a role supporting people with significant health or social care needs
  • NVQ Level 3 or above in Health & Social Care (or equivalent)

  Skills

  Essential

  • Numerate and literate
  • Demonstrates good written/verbal skills, empathy, tact, and diplomacy
  • IT Skills basic keyboard and word processing

  Knowledge

  Essential

  • Demonstrates an understanding of how mental health needs can affect people's occupational performance and engagement

  Relevant Experience

  Essential

  • Mental health, OT, or rehab experience

  OT Understanding

  Essential

  • Demonstrates understanding of OT principles and activity focused & recovery-oriented care

  Therapeutic Activity Skills

  Essential

  • Experience facilitating groups or individual therapeutic activities

  Teamwork & Supervision

  Essential

  • Ability to work within MDTs and/or supervise junior staff

  Person Specification

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • NVQ level 3 in a relevant subject or substantial equivalent experience gained in a role supporting people with significant health or social care needs
  • NVQ Level 3 or above in Health & Social Care (or equivalent)

  Skills

  Essential

  • Numerate and literate
  • Demonstrates good written/verbal skills, empathy, tact, and diplomacy
  • IT Skills basic keyboard and word processing

  Knowledge

  Essential

  • Demonstrates an understanding of how mental health needs can affect people's occupational performance and engagement

  Relevant Experience

  Essential

  • Mental health, OT, or rehab experience

  OT Understanding

  Essential

  • Demonstrates understanding of OT principles and activity focused & recovery-oriented care

  Therapeutic Activity Skills

  Essential

  • Experience facilitating groups or individual therapeutic activities

  Teamwork & Supervision

  Essential

  • Ability to work within MDTs and/or supervise junior staff

  Disclosure and Barring Service Check

  This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

  Address

  Sandalwood Court

  Highworth Road

  Swindon

  SN3 4WF

  
  

  Employer's website

  http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

  Address

  Sandalwood Court

  Highworth Road

  Swindon

  SN3 4WF

  
  

  Employer's website

  http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

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