Skip to main content

This site is independent of the NHS and the Department of Health.

Please wait, loading

Job summary

Main area
Mental Health
Grade
Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
364-B-500
Employer
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Herrick House
Town
Colchester
Salary
£49,387 - £56,515 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
08/10/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust logo

Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist

Band 7

Please be aware that, due to current allocation constraints, Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) are being prioritised for registered roles at this time.

Our Trust cares for more than 100,000 patients at any one time across our community health, mental health and learning disability services across Essex and parts of Bedfordshire and Suffolk. 

We want you to be part of our journey of transformation, where our patients and their families are at the heart of everything we do and to achieve our vision to be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care.

You’ll be part of a Trust where you will be supported to be your authentic self and be the best you can be, where we will help you to grow, develop and thrive. 

The Trust is recognised by the University of Essex and is a top provider of apprenticeships for people looking to be an assistant practitioner, senior health care support worker (CAP). Our trailblazing CAP apprenticeship won a national HSJ Award.

We are also recognised as a Veteran Aware Trust and holder of gold accreditation from the Ministry of Defence Employment Recognition Scheme. Our services are highlighted as an exemplar of good practice, producing the best care for more than 3.500 armed forces veterans in the past seven years. 

We have been shortlisted and won national awards. We are an inclusive organisation and Level 3 Disability Confident Leader Trust.

We are constantly innovating and looking for new ways to deliver care, such as using technology to enhance patient care and working with partners to launch new services such as the Basildon Mental Health Urgent Care Department, virtual hospitals and falls response cars.  

Join us and you’ll do the best work of your life – and make a difference to other people’s lives. What we do together, matters.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated Occupational Therapist to join the Adult Community Mental Health Team in Colchester as Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist.

We are seeking an inspirational clinician and leader who is passionate about delivering high-quality, recovery-focused mental health care and championing the role of Occupational Therapy within community services. The successful candidate will provide professional and clinical leadership to the Occupational Therapy workforce and the wider MDT professions, supporting the delivery of evidence-based interventions that promote independence, social inclusion, meaningful activity, and recovery.

The post holder will work as a senior member of the multidisciplinary team, combining advanced clinical practice with leadership responsibilities. They will lead the development of Occupational Therapy services across the locality, support workforce development, and contribute to service improvement initiatives that enhance outcomes for people experiencing complex mental health difficulties.

Working closely with Team Leads, Clinical Managers, Professional Leads and the wider MDT, the post holder will play a key role in shaping and developing services in line with EPUT's strategic priorities and transformation agenda. 

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will work as a Clinical Lead within the locality based mental health team, with direct leadership and line management responsibility for the Occupational Therapy team and provision. As a core senior practitioner within the SCMHT they will also support the delivery of services as part of wider multi-disciplinary and senior teams. 

The post holder will have the opportunity to utilise  clinical  skills as they contribute directly with the management of people with complex care needs, and leadership skills providing supervision and shaping the delivery of services.

Working for our organisation

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you. 

  • Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
  • Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
  • If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
  • We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.

Benefits

  • 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
  • Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
  • Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
  • £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
  • Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

  • Work bank: You can use the opportunity to supplement your income and develop your skills by working bank shifts.
  • Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
  • Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached job description and person specification for full details of role and responsibilities.

 

 

 

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • OT degree/Diploma
  • HCPC registration
Desirable criteria
  • Leadership training

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Working with those with Mental Health Problems
  • Use of a variety of therapeutic interventions
Desirable criteria
  • Working within community delivery of MH

Leadership

Essential criteria
  • Responsibility within the workplace for development/delivery of new initiatives

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Essex Family Friendly Employers

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Matthew Waters
Job title
AHP Lead and Clinical Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01375898828
Apply online nowAlert me to similar vacancies