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Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

About

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) is one of the largest trusts in the UK, caring for people with a wide range of physical and mental health needs. We have approximately 7,000 staff who provide healthcare to a third of London's population and across wider geographical areas, including Milton Keynes, Kent, Surrey and Hampshire.

As a Foundation Trust we involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run and our future development. If you are interested in becoming a member of our Foundation Trust please visit: www.cnwl.nhs.uk

(source: Central and North West London NHS Foundation NHS Trust website)

Contact

Address: 350 Euston Road; Regent's Place; London; London; NW1 3AX
Contact Number: 02032145700

Find out more

Jobs Website

Open

Ref: 333-D-HJ-1996 Vacancy ID: 7891629

Forensic Occupational Therapist - ReFoCuS Team

Accepting applications until: 08-Apr-2026 23:59

Vacancy status: Open

Accepting applications until: 08-Apr-2026 23:59

Location

Site: Hathaway House
Address: 7F Woodfield Road
Town: London
Postcode: W9 2BA
Major / Minor Region: London

Contract type & working pattern

Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Health & Justice Services work to a 7 day working model)

Salary

Salary: £46,419 - £55,046 per annum plus HCAS (pro rata if P/T)
Salary period: Yearly
Grade: (NHS AfC: Band 6)

Specialty

Main area: Health & Justice Services

CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) has almost 8,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London's population, Milton Keynes and areas beyond. We involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run.

Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation. We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference. We’re proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME and people with disabilities to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.

We are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. We aim to employ only the best people, and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.

We offer a generous relocation package (subject to eligibility assessment) and flexible working options, including bank assignments for most roles. For more information on these and other benefits of working for us, see our Benefits, Reward and Wellbeing page

Become part of our team. We care for you as much as you care for others.

CNWL NHS Foundation Trust are committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices to protect children and vulnerable adults.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Overview of Main Responsibilities:

To manage a caseload of clients, in close collaboration with other members of the Multi-disciplinary team, within the CPA framework and to agreed local and national standards.
To provide OT assessments and intervention for clients within the team, applying specialist knowledge of Model of Human Occupation.
To provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to the clients social and physical environment
To provide a comprehensive, culturally appropriate, evidence based assessments for clients to establish their occupational needs through standardised and specialist OT assessment tools.
To act as a vocational lead within the team, ensuring that the occupational and employment needs are met.
To ensure that continuity of care is maintained and that appropriate and timely plans are made for the discharge of clients from the inpatient faculties incorporating Section 117 and CPA responsibilities are discharged.
To act as a social supervisor for restricted patients, providing high quality and timely reports to the Ministry of Justice as requested.
To provide facilitation of groups including health promotion, wellbeing and those designed to address the offending needs of service users.
To provide joint assessments and ongoing joint work with generic mental health teams where there is a forensic component to the service user’s presentation.
Ensure effective and timely review of all placements and out of area treatment packages in line with current performance management requirements,
To ensure that the views and wishes of service users and carers are central to the care planning process and that their participation is maximised.
To ensure that the needs of carers are fully assessed and that information and support is readily available
To ensure that the caseload work of the team is managed in accordance the revised Care Programme Approach (CPA) policy and that reviews are undertaken regularly and within agreed timescales. This will include robust crisis and contingency plans
To work within Child Protection and Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policies at all times, promoting the wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults and contributing to professional meetings as required
Providing assessment and intervention for service users with substance misuse needs, including close working with other services and treatment agencies
To ensure that robust clinical assessment and management systems are in place and that all documentation including electronic records are up to date
To ensure that the team delivers services which maximises the choice and independence of service users, promotes social inclusion and ensures that individualised budgets and direct payments are fully utilised by service users and carers.
To ensure that effective links are developed with relevant organisational partners including statutory, voluntary and private providers as well as community groups and networks.
To provide specialist forensic assessment and intervention to other Mental Health Teams and Criminal Justice Agencies as requested
To support clients and carers in their contact with the Criminal Justice System including acting as an Appropriate Adult within police custody
To participate in the Forensic Team out of hours and on call rota’s providing a service at weekends and on Bank Holiday’s

Communication:

To demonstrate excellent communication skills and to be able to develop a positive therapeutic relationship with service users and carers who may be at times in crisis or in emotional distress.
To liaise closely with colleagues in other mental health teams, criminal justice agencies, primary care, families and carers, always maintaining high professional standards.
To ensure that information of a confidential nature is used, stored and transported according to Caldicott principles and Trust policy,
To ensure that all written reports and communication is to a high standard and in accordance with professional and Trust guidelines.

Training:

To be responsible for the supervision and written assessment of students on practice placement
To attend all professional and practice forums and as directed by the Team Manager
Participate in special projects, research and audit related to the clinical area and as directed by the Team Manager
Support the development of a learning culture and provide supervision to students, learners and more junior members of staff.
To participate in the Trust’s appraisal system in conjunction with the Lead OT, ensuring that training and development needs are identified and met

Policy and/or Service Development:

To use own clinical expertise to contribute to service development in conjunction with other members of the multi-disciplinary team
To contribute to the development and review of clinical systems and care pathways as directed by the Team Manager
To assist with the promotion of the service to service users, carers, CMHT’s and external agencies
To participate in the delivery of OT annual objectives and R & D strategy

Management of Resources:

To be responsible for the ordering and management of physical needs resources and adaptations
To utilise all available resources efficiently and being aware of the team’s financial and budgetary constraints
To ensure that all activity is recorded on the Trusts information systems in an accurate and timely manner e.g. JADE.
To ensure clinical and operational data is effectively managed as required by CNWL and WPCT
To participate in the team’s rota system and co-ordination of clinical work ensuring continuity of care and robust risk management.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI can be used as a support tool, not a replacement for the applicant’s own work. Applications must remain personal, accurate, and reflective of the candidate’s real experience. AI-generated content must not misrepresent skills, qualifications, or experience. Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

We monitor applications for any behaviour that could create an unfair advantage, and we check all references carefully. You are likely to be tested on your experience at interview, so be honest and make sure all the information in your application is correct. Please note that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is prohibited during the interview process.

Vaccination

The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. 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.

Due to the high response levels we receive for some vacancies, we may expire any of them prior to the advertised closing date and advise you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Before submitting your application and to avoid disappointment please check that you are eligible under the UKVI points based system
Our Agenda for Change employment contracts are subject to a contractual 13 week probationary period.
If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

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.

Person specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential criteria

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

Desirable criteria

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

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES

Essential criteria

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
Individual and group work assessment and intervention skills.
Fulfilling responsibilities of designated projects, audits or research
Skills in producing timely, accurate and informative reports and notes.
Knowledge of personal recovery principles and their application to service delivery
Ability to promote a culture of sound OT practice amongst staff.

Desirable criteria

Delivery of formal presentations and teaching sessions.

ATTITUDES, APTITUDES PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Essential criteria

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

Desirable criteria

Keen to develop their role and skills and the role

Previous Experience

Essential criteria

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
Experience in delivering CPA and social care assessments

Desirable criteria

Experience in forensic settings
Experience of supervising students/junior staff

Other

Essential criteria

The post holder must have the ability to understand and implement the equal opportunities policy at a level appropriate to the job.
Ability to promote anti-discriminatory and anti-racist practices.
Ability to promote and work in line with the working model of a 7 day a week service.

Documents

Further details / informal visits contact

Name

Chetan Patel

Job title

Team Manager

Email address

[email protected]

Additional information

We are a friendly team and encourage any prospective candidate to contact us with any questions and/or to book an informal visit.

You can also find more information on our services and the work we do within the Health & Justice Directorate please do take a look at our new website https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/health-and-justice

Our healthcare services work to a 7-day week working model, to ensure our patient's healthcare is managed and maintained to the highest of standards at all times.