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Job summary

Main area
AHP
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
364-B-522
Employer
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Thurrock Community Hospital
Town
Grays
Salary
£25,760 - £27,476 Per annum plus HCA
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
23/11/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust logo

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Band 3

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

The Occupational Therapy Assistant will support the delivery of interventions within Older Adult Mental Health services, working within the Day Treatment Team across a number of sites in the trust.  The team consists of Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Nurse Therapist and Occupational Therapy Assistant.

The successful candidate will work as part of the Day Treatment Team in the Thurrock and Essex area, screening for groups and assisting with Cognitive Stimulation Therapy and Living Well With Dementia groups.  The Occupational Therapy Assistant will be supported with regular supervision, team meetings and opportunities for development attending the monthly CPD meeting.

Main duties of the job

  • Support the Day Treatment Team in delivering interventions for older adults with mental health needs, particularly those experiencing cognitive difficulties, memory problems and cognitive impairment.

  • Screen and assess suitability of service users for therapeutic groups.

  • Assist with weekly Cognitive Stimulation Therapy and Living Well with Dementia groups. 

  • Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary Day Treatment Team across different sites.

  • Attend supervision, team meetings and continuing professional development sessions to support learning and development.

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.

Benefits

  • 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
  • Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
  • Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
  • 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

  • Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Work as part of the multidisciplinary Day Treatment Team across Thurrock and Essex, supporting Occupational Therapists and other professionals in delivering therapeutic interventions for older adults with mental health needs, including dementia, memory loss and cognitive impairment. Assist with screening service users for group suitability and facilitate Cognitive Stimulation Therapy and Living Well with Dementia groups to promote cognitive functioning, social engagement, independence and overall wellbeing. Participate in regular supervision, team meetings and monthly continuing professional development (CPD) sessions to enhance knowledge, skills and professional development.

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Previous relevant experience
Desirable criteria
  • Previous NHS experience

Group facilitation

Essential criteria
  • Previous group work experience
Desirable criteria
  • Practical skills i.e. gardening, cooking

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

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
Lucy Hedge
Job title
Senior Occupational Therapist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07583115908
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