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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)
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Senior Occupational Therapist
Closed for applications on: 21-May-2026 00:01
Vacancy status: Closed
Closed for applications on: 21-May-2026 00:01
Key details
Location
- Site
- Riverside Centre
- Address
- Pield Heath Road
- Town
- Uxbridge
- Postcode
- UB8 3NN
- Major / Minor Region
- London
Contract type & working pattern
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Flexibility with hours and days is available)
Salary
- Salary
- £45,953 - £54,254 per annum inc HCAS (pro rata if P/T)
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Grade
- (NHS AfC: Band 6)
Specialty
- Main area
- Mental Health Occupational Therapist
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.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has opened up for a Senior Occupational Therapist to join our Hillingdon Mental Health Inpatient Service. The role covers the treatment wards (2x18-bedded male and female wards) and the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (8-bedded male PICU).
We are looking for people who are passionate about OT and want the opportunity to focus on their clinical OT skills, and who have ideas to grow and develop the OT provision within inpatient services.
A key aspect of this role includes crossover working and collaborative contributions to the Health Based Place of Safety (HBPOS) and The Lighthouse, supporting individuals in crisis through timely Occupational Therapy input, risk management, discharge planning and collaborative multidisciplinary interventions. This provides an opportunity to work across acute inpatient and crisis pathways, ensuring continuity of care and promoting recovery-focused outcomes for service users.
You will have opportunities to:
- Contribute to assessment and intervention planning across inpatient wards, HBPOS, and The Lighthouse
- Support service users transitioning between acute, crisis, and community pathways
- Supervise junior staff and students
- Act as a Practice Educator
- Access a wide range of internal and external training opportunities
- Build your leadership skills as part of your progression toward Band 7 roles within CNWL
Advert
Occupational therapists hold a key role within the MDT, which will include individual and groupwork, consultation, assessment, intervention and evaluation in accordance with the RCoT Professional standards and ethics.
The role also includes cross-service working with the HBPoS and The Lighthouse, providing OT input to support people in crisis, contribute to discharge planning, and promote smooth transitions from acute and crisis services.
You will be using MoHO, sensory and other evidence-based assessment tools in order to establish a baseline functional assessment from which recommendations can determine further on-going care and treatment to enable optimum functioning.
The role requires integrated evidence-based practice and skilful use of assessments & interventions with personal recovery principles in order to improve the service users’ quality of life and to support them to do the things they want to do and live the life they want to lead.
You would need to be committed to working within recovery principles. The successful applicant will be self-motivated with a desire to work in mental health, and willing to learn and grow within the team.
This post receives supervision from the Acute Lead OT (Band 7) and in addition there is a great support network working alongside other OTs in the Borough and across the trust. Opportunities for training, reflective practice, case formulation using Trauma Informed Approaches.
Working for our organisation
- Specialised OT & Mental health training comprehensive offer of OT to OT training sessions, as well as specialised training depending on area of interest such as sensory integration and trauma informed care.
- Shadow and develop skills in our neighbouring services, allowing you to see the full circle of treatment for our patients.
- Mentoring and coaching sessions supporting you with your development and growth into the role, including a bespoke 1:1 induction by Head OT tailored to your specific needs.
- Monthly supervision from the lead OT for Hillingdon Inpatient Services
- You will be supported in developing your management and leadership skills through supervising others, supporting students and developing new initiatives for the service.
- Opportunities to get involved in the established Research and Development structures in OT, including specialist forums and valuable networks.
- A truly inclusive and diverse workspace
- Staff health and wellbeing schemes
- QI training and support to bring your strengths and skills to service development
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
OT in CNWL is very fortunate in having a long-established professional structure and this includes an AHP director, Trust wide Professional Head of OT, borough and specialist Head OTs.
Personal and professional development is a high priority for the profession and is underpinned by our OT R&D strategy, R&D specialist groups and OT clinical networks. This enables us to invest in the development of our staff by providing excellent internal training as well as commissioning specialised external training and providing quality supervision. This ensures all our OTs reach their full potential at every stage of their career. Our commitment to research, audit and EBP is made possible by our strong links with local universities.
We actively support the next generation of OTs through apprenticeships, student placements and the promotion of the profession as a career in schools. We are proud of the diversity in our workforce but have invested time in supporting and developing this further through our Equality Diversity & Belonging OT group.
Have a look at this video which provides further information with what to expect when working as an OT with CNWL, and the support which is offered:
Applicant requirements
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Degree (or Diploma) in Occupational Therapy
- Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as an Occupational Therapist, or eligible for registration with evidence of an application submitted and registration pending for newly qualified OT’s.
Desirable criteria
- Relevant work/ voluntary experience or training in mental health services.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant post qualification experience working in adult mental health settings as an OT
- Experience of working with SU's presenting with a wide range of complex, severe & enduring mental health conditions
- Experience in using a range of standardised OT assessments
- Experience of working both autonomously and in an MDT
- Experience of drafting group protocols and setting up/ facilitating groups
- Experience of partnership working in promoting socially inclusive opportunities for SU's
- Experience of comprehensive risk assessment and risk management
Desirable criteria
- Experience of audit/ research projects
- Experience of facilitating training sessions
- Supervision of qualified OT staff
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
- Clear concept of OT and models of practice
- Good communication skills written, verbal, listening and use of IT communications.
- Ability to prioritise workload and use initiative
- Able to work creatively to engage patients and to build constructive relationships with warmth and empathy.
- Timely reporting and record keeping.
- Regularly identify and undertake appropriate learning opportunities as part of ongoing CPD.
- Ability to treat service users with respect and dignity at all times, adopting a culturally sensitive approach that considers the needs of the whole person
- Ability to determine the impact of physical conditions on service user’s functional ability and undertake assessment/make recommendations with regards to the provision of equipment/aids and adaptations
- Good awareness of the principles of safeguarding and how to implement this in practice
Desirable criteria
- Research and development at graduate level
- Knowledge and experience of sensory integration
- Knowledge of trauma- informed approaches
Personal Characteristics
Essential criteria
- Professional confidence and willingness to work flexibly as a member of the MDT
- Good organisationsl skills and able to delegate effectively
- Ability to manage conflict constructively
- To act as a positive role model for junior staff
- High level of personal motivation.
- Ability to encourage patient participation and ensure a high delivery of customer service.
- Demonstrate a willingness to develop knowledge and skills.
Other
Essential criteria
- The post holder must have the ability to understand and implement National Policies, Equal Opportunities and the Code of Ethics at level appropriate to the job.
Desirable criteria
- Membership of RCoT
Documents
- Job Descriptions (PDF, 608.5KB)
- Person Specification (PDF, 151.8KB)
- Accommodation Information for New Starters (PDF, 120.6KB)
- CNWL Staff Networks (PDF, 320.0KB)
- CNWL Values (PDF, 182.9KB)
- CNWL Reward and Wellbeing Handbook 2020 (PDF, 1.1MB)
- CNWL Staff Charter (PDF, 684.7KB)
- CNWL Culture SCARF Behaviour Framework (PDF, 710.2KB)
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Francis Maina
- Job title
- Lead Occupational Therapist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01895485168
- Additional information
Please make contact with Francis for further information, informal chats and site/team visits
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No longer accepting applications
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