Assertive Outreach Occupational Therapist

Job Overview

Westminster Community Mental health hubs are seeking a motivated and experienced Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join our new assertive outreach pathway.

This is an excellent opportunity for a therapist who is ready to take the next step in their career and develop their Occupational Therapy skills in a assertive outreach pathway in a community mental health setting. We are looking for someone who is passionate about delivering high‑quality care, proactive, engaged, and committed to supporting people in their mental health recovery.

The successful candidate will join an Occupational Therapy service that prides itself on innovation, excellent service delivery and continued learning.

This post is based in the West End Community Mental Health Hub, but you will be required to visit patients across the Boroughs depending on service demand.

We operate a five‑day service and working hours run from 9 am to 5 pm.

View this webpage and video for more information about Occupational Therapy in CNWL Occupational Therapy :: Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

CNWL Occupational Therapy Recruitment (FINAL) | Videos & Movies on Vimeo

Main duties of the job

The post holder will manage a small, high-intensity caseload, delivering time-limited interventions through proactive and persistent engagement. Practice will be guided by Assertive Outreach principles, including flexibility, collaborative risk management, and a strong focus on sustaining engagement and reducing barriers to care.

Working with individuals with high levels of complexity, the post holder will address issues such as disengagement, medication non-adherence, recent admissions, housing instability, substance misuse, and escalating risk. Interventions will be occupationally focused, strengths-based, and trauma-informed, supporting activity, participation, and recovery.

The role includes delivering interventions flexibly across settings, including home visits, community environments, and remote contact, requiring adaptable and responsive working patterns.

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Occupational Therapist with strong clinical skills in complex mental health. The ideal candidate will demonstrate confidence in risk management, outreach working, and engaging individuals who may be ambivalent about services. They will work autonomously within a multidisciplinary team and be committed to delivering recovery-focused, outcome-driven care within a structured outreach model, including clear goal setting, outcome measures, and planned step-down to routine CMHH care.

Working for our organisation

Are you passionate about helping others live meaningful lives? Join us as an Occupational Therapist at CNWL.

At the West End Community Mental Health Hub, based close to Victoria Station, we are committed to creating a supportive, inclusive and reflective working environment where people feel valued, listened to and able to do their best work. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team that prioritises recovery-focused, person-centred care and values collaboration, curiosity and compassion.

We recognise that high-quality care depends on staff wellbeing and support this through flexible working, regular supervision and protected reflective space. We are committed to developing our Occupational Therapists, offering role-relevant training, leadership development and opportunities to broaden or specialise practice within community mental health.

As part of CNWL, you will also benefit from a wide range of staff wellbeing resources, award-winning staff networks, and an extensive NHS benefits package designed to support your work–life balance and overall wellbeing.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

See attached Job description and Person Specification for further information on the job role requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical

• deliver specialist occupational therapy assessment and intervention for individuals with complex mental health needs
• provide assertive outreach interventions, including intensive and time-limited support during periods of risk or disengagement
• use proactive and persistent engagement approaches to maintain contact with individuals who are difficult to engage
• plan and deliver interventions with clear goals, outcome measures and structured transition planning
• contribute to risk assessment and management, balancing positive risk-taking with safety
• manage referrals and hold a small, high-intensity caseload within the multidisciplinary team
• prioritise work load and delegate appropriately to support staff
• apply occupational therapy models (e.g. MOHO) to inform clinical reasoning and interventions
• use outcome measures to evaluate effectiveness and inform care planning
• place service users at the centre of goal setting and involve carers where appropriate
• deliver culturally responsive and inclusive care
• prescribe equipment to support occupational performance in line with Trust policy
  
  

Person specification

Previous Experience

Essential criteria

• Working as an OT in secondary mental health services.
• Experience of working with individuals who are disengaged or hard to reach
• Managing a defined caseload, including prioritisation and autonomous working.
• Delivering OT assessments and interventions in community settings
• Experience of proactive, persistent engagement approaches
• Experience of managing high-risk and complex cases in community settings.
• Supporting occupational performance through environmental adaptation and equipment provision.
• Working in partnership and co-producing care with service users and carers.
• Facilitating groups or structured interventions.
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in assertive outreach or similar intensive community based services
• Experience of trauma-informed practice
• Supervision of OT students / non-qualified staff.
  
  

Education And Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy.
• Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC) registered Occupational Therapist.
• Post qualification training in relevant mental health skills.
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Practice Educator training
• Member of the Royal College of OT (RCoT)
• Additional training in specialist standardised assessments
  
  

Skills, Knowledge And Abilities

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of OT theory and models (e.g. MoHO) and their application in mental health.
• Strong communication skills, including engaging individuals with complex needs and conveying sensitive information.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of an MDT
• Skills in delivering individual and group interventions.
• Ability to prioritise workload and work flexibly in a dynamic community setting.
• Ability to work flexibly and creatively to maintain engagement
• Ability to work in a culturally responsive and inclusive way
• Knowledge of the impact of mental and physical health on occupational performance.
• Knowledge and application of risk assessment and management, including positive risk-taking.
• Knowledge of safeguarding principles and their application in practice.
• Confidence in balancing positive risk-taking with safety
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of research and development principles at graduate level.
• Knowledge and skills in vocational rehabilitation, sensory approaches, and brief solution-focused interventions.
• Awareness of housing, benefits, and wider health and social care systems.
• Experience working with homelessness or housing instability
• Experience within criminal justice settings
  
  

Attitudes, aptitudes and personal characteristics

Essential criteria

• Motivated and committed to working in an Assertive Outreach service
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise, delegate, and manage workload effectively
• Flexible and adaptable approach to working in a dynamic environment.
• Good self-awareness, with the ability to use initiative and work independently.
• Ability to manage conflict constructively and maintain professional boundaries.
• Willingness to develop knowledge and skills through ongoing learning.
• Ability to take responsibility and demonstrate accountability in practice.
• Act as a positive role model, supporting and influencing the practice of others