Occupational Therapist

Job summary As a Band 5 Occupational Therapist within the Darlington Community Adult Mental HealthTeam you will work under supervision of a senior occupational therapist. You will be professionally and clinically accountable for your own caseload, assessing occupational performance and delivering occupational interventions, demonstrating adherence to the Trust values at all times and operating as a member of the team, service and organisation. The post holder will provide evidence-based assessment and interventions as part of the occupational therapy service offered, and delivery of occupational therapy may take place across a range of settings (Trust sites, community/public settings, third sector locations/facilities and patients own homes). The post holder will be required to travel across the locality. This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa Main duties of the job To be responsible for receiving requests/referrals for occupational therapy, completing evidence-based assessments and interventions to address key occupational areas of self-care, productivity and leisure. To use client-centred approaches to co-producing negotiated occupational goals and evaluate these with service users collaboratively. To participate in clinical/professional and management supervision To contribute to multi-disciplinary team working To contribute to service improvement and quality initiatives To use the Trust electronic patient record system To abide by all Trust policies and procedures To be able to respond flexibly and creatively to challenges About us The multi-disciplinary team works with older adults and their families to deliver high quality Occupational Therapy service. We are looking for an OT who can work flexibly to meet service need and has the vision, energy and inspiration to develop creative, imaginative solutions to working with older people and families. You will access wider support from the Occupational Therapy network in DTVF, Adult Mental Health Occupational Therapists, to develop a way of delivering a high quality, needs-led OT service, utilising core occupational therapy skills to ensure all of the people we work with have a robust occupational therapy assessment and intervention plan in place. Details Date posted 10 June 2026 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 5 Salary £32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working Reference number 346-DDA-092-26 Job locations West Park Hospital Edward Pease Way Darlington DL2 2TS United Kingdom Job description Job responsibilities Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying. The post holder will provide evidence-based occupational therapy assessment and interventions as part of the OT Pathway and offer input to individuals, their families and carers, in a community setting. All team members must be committed to providing the best possible care for the people we work with and their families/carers. The ability to engage and communicate with older people well as the parents/family/carers and system around them is essential. Clinical/Professional supervision is provided by the supervising Occupational Therapist as identified by the relevant Lead OT. The postholder will attend OT Learning and Governance Networks to ensure fidelity to core occupational therapy delivery, enhance CPD and contribute to the wider OT service developments. You must be able to demonstrate experience of delivery of occupational therapy, keenness to continually develop themselves and others, and a particular interest in this field of OT. We will support use of transferrable skills from a range of clinical settings. There are varied opportunities for training and development, with CPD needs being identified and monitored through appraisal. Additional contact details: Claire Watson - Team Manager c.watson8@nhs.net Job description Job responsibilities Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying. The post holder will provide evidence-based occupational therapy assessment and interventions as part of the OT Pathway and offer input to individuals, their families and carers, in a community setting. All team members must be committed to providing the best possible care for the people we work with and their families/carers. The ability to engage and communicate with older people well as the parents/family/carers and system around them is essential. Clinical/Professional supervision is provided by the supervising Occupational Therapist as identified by the relevant Lead OT. The postholder will attend OT Learning and Governance Networks to ensure fidelity to core occupational therapy delivery, enhance CPD and contribute to the wider OT service developments. You must be able to demonstrate experience of delivery of occupational therapy, keenness to continually develop themselves and others, and a particular interest in this field of OT. We will support use of transferrable skills from a range of clinical settings. There are varied opportunities for training and development, with CPD needs being identified and monitored through appraisal. Additional contact details: Claire Watson - Team Manager c.watson8@nhs.net Person Specification Knowledge Essential Awareness of professional standards and their application to practice Understanding of the needs of service users with mental health conditions and/or learning disabilities Desirable Knowledge of evidence- based practice in designated specialist area Clinical risk assessment and application in practice Experience Essential 18 months of experience of working in a variety of Occupational Therapy practice areas whilst on student placements (or postgraduate) Desirable Experience of working with service users with mental health conditions or learning disabilities Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team Qualifications Essential Appropriate professional qualification in occupational therapy role (or pending) Current relevant registration with HCPC or ability to meet the criteria for registration within next 3 months Person Specification Knowledge Essential Awareness of professional standards and their application to practice Understanding of the needs of service users with mental health conditions and/or learning disabilities Desirable Knowledge of evidence- based practice in designated specialist area Clinical risk assessment and application in practice Experience Essential 18 months of experience of working in a variety of Occupational Therapy practice areas whilst on student placements (or postgraduate) Desirable Experience of working with service users with mental health conditions or learning disabilities Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team Qualifications Essential Appropriate professional qualification in occupational therapy role (or pending) Current relevant registration with HCPC or ability to meet the criteria for registration within next 3 months Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Open