Job summary
- Main area
- Occupational Therapy
- Grade
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 373-CYP1530
- Employer
- Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FoundationTrust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Ancora House
- Town
- Chester
- Salary
- £24,937 - £26,598 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 15/02/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 25/02/2026
Employer heading
CYP Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor
Band 3
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full time, permanent Occupational Therapy Technical Assistant working within Ancora House.
Our team consists of qualified OT staff and Technical Instructors. We work within a large MDT consisting of nursing staff, medical staff, psychology , speech and language therapy, specialist eating disorder service and educational staff.
The successful applicant needs to be able to work as part of the Occupational Therapy Team, taking direction from the qualified OT’s but also to show initiative and self-direction when working independently.
The Trust currently supports the Real Living Wage (RLW) hourly rate as set by the Living Wage Federation and will apply a pay supplement if the national A4C hourly rate falls below this.
Shortlisting for this vacancy is due to commence on 16/02/2026 and the proposed interview date is 25/02/2026
Main duties of the job
Ancora House has 2 inpatient wards, Coral and Indigo and a future Integrated Eating Disorder Unit. They provide person centred acute care for young people aged 13-18. Both Coral and Indigo Ward focus on assessment and short-term treatment. This position will allow you to develop a range of knowledge and skills of various mental health conditions such as; eating disorders, anxiety, psychosis, depression.
The person will need to demonstrate a good understanding of Occupational therapy, mental health conditions, be enthusiastic and display a person- centered approach.
Previous experience in working within Occupational therapy or with individuals experiencing mental health conditions would be advantageous to this post.
An interest in arts/crafts and activities to engage patients who are suffering with mental health conditions is essential.
The successful individual will need to be an enthusiastic, passionate, adaptable, and highly motivated, with a keen interest in mental health. You will be part of an established, friendly, integrated multidisciplinary team, as well as receiving support, direction, and supervision from senior Occupational Therapy staff.
The post offers the successful applicant the exciting opportunity to join this team in providing the highest quality of care for our service users. The individual must also be able to demonstrate an understanding and application of the 6 C’s , these being Care; Compassion; Competence; Communication; Courage and Commitment.
Working for our organisation
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire.
We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton, Liverpool and Stockport.
Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.
As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.
All new starters will commence in post on one fixed start date each month, in line with our Prepare to Care (P2C) induction programme date. P2C offers up to 3 weeks training to support you to meet the induction / initial training requirements of the role.
Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you’ll find something to suit you at CWP.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please download a copy of the job description (see ‘documents to download’ section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.
At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.
CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust’s Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trust’s Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trust’s Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.
An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: [email protected] or by calling 01244 393100.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- NVQ Level III or equivalent in relevant subject area with experience in health care setting or 3 years experience in an occupational therapy setting and willing to work towards NVQ Level III in relevant subject.
- Current disability equipment training or be willing to gain within 6 months of appointment.
Desirable criteria
- Either have, or working towards ECDL or CLAIT qualification
Knowledge and Expertise
Essential criteria
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Co-ordination and organisational skills
- Basic risk assessment and risk management skills
- Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively.
- Basic computer literacy
- Basic understanding of issues affecting older people with mental health problems
- Basic awareness of issues affecting health and social care.
Desirable criteria
- Skills in leading groups.
- Skills in using a variety of activities and interventions relevant to the post including creative activities and domestic skills.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience
Desirable criteria
- Experience in AMH area
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Laura Coburn/Georgina Hiorns
- Job title
- Advanced Specialist Occupational Therapist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01244 397258
- Additional information
If you consider yourself Neurodivergent and need help to complete your application form, please contact [email protected] or telephone 01244 393100
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