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Job summary

Main area
Community Mental Health - Early Intervention in Psychosis
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm)
Job ref
363-TH7479235
Employer
East London NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Vivienne Cohen House
Town
London
Salary
£46,419 - £55,046 per annum Inc HCAs
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
17/10/2025 23:59

Employer heading

East London NHS Foundation Trust logo

Occupational Therapist

NHS AfC: Band 6

ELFT has long been recognised as a centre of excellence for mental and health care, innovation and improvement. So it is a very exciting time for you to come and work for us. Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Job overview

EQUIP provides an assertive and responsive service to adults for up to 3 years during their recovery from a first episode of psychosis.  The service covers the City of London and London Borough of Hackney.  Emphasis is placed on maximising wellbeing and on social, psychological, physical and educational/vocational recovery.  The team works to standards set for early intervention in psychosis teams and participates in the annual National Clinical Audit on Psychosis. The team also works closely with the early detection team, HEADS UP, which provides support to those who are at risk of developing psychosis and actively connects with local community groups in order to improve detection rates of this group. 

Main duties of the job

The role of the OT is to carry a caseload of clients, to actively work to engage with and support them and to offer an early intervention in psychosis care package in accordance with NICE guidelines.  This will include conducting delegated responsibilities on behalf of the London Borough of Hackney, such as Care Act assessments and responsibilities associated with safeguarding adults and children.  Clear and timely recording on the clinical record, plus the preparation of statutory and other reports, are essential.  The OT will also be responsible for the provision of specialist OT assessments, such as Activities of Daily Living, and interventions, as well as contributing to the development and implementation of the group programme within EQUIP.  They contribute to the team duty rota, which supports both EQUIP and Heads Up.  Participation in quality initiatives is encouraged and CPD and reflective practice are embedded in the team.

Working for our organisation

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details.

The role of the OT is to carry a caseload of clients, to actively work to engage with and support them and to offer an early intervention in psychosis care package in accordance with NICE guidelines.  This will include conducting delegated responsibilities on behalf of the London Borough of Hackney, such as Care Act assessments and responsibilities associated with safeguarding adults and children.  Clear and timely recording on the clinical record, plus the preparation of statutory and other reports, are essential.  The OT will also be responsible for the provision of specialist OT assessments, such as Activities of Daily Living, and interventions, as well as contributing to the development and implementation of the group programme within EQUIP.  They contribute to the team duty rota, which supports both EQUIP and Heads Up.  Participation in quality initiatives is encouraged and CPD and reflective practice are embedded in the team.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Degree in Occupational Therapy
  • Current registration with HCPC
  • Evidence of post-qualifying CPD
Desirable criteria
  • Post-qualifying experience of delivering relapse prevention work and specific psycho-social interventions

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Post-qualifying experience of working in secondary community mental health
  • Experience of working as part of a multi-professional team
  • Experience of facilitating groups
  • Experience of making full psycho-social assessments and writing reports, including OT specialist assessments
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working in an early intervention in psychosis team

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
  • Computer skills sufficient to complete client entries and all necessary reports in a timely fashion
  • Ability to engage with people with serious mental health problems in a holistic manner
Desirable criteria
  • Ability to teach junior staff and students

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Understanding of relevant legislation
  • Understanding of the principles and practice of the Care Act and CPA
  • Understanding of equal opportunities policies and practice, and how they affect staff and service users

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Capital Nurse, LondonCommitted to being an Inclusive EmployerApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveHSJ Best places to workArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare quality commission - OutstandingStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.

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
Susan Sturdy
Job title
Operational Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07769557072
Additional information

Edith Ebohon, Senior Practitioner/OT - [email protected]

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