Senior Occupational Therapist

Employer information

Please note that this post may close earlier than the indicated closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Job overview

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join the Autism Enhanced Support Team (AEST) at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

This is an exciting opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary team supporting autistic people with complex needs, including mental health difficulties, learning disabilities and behaviours of distress. You will provide specialist Occupational Therapy assessment, intervention and clinical guidance across inpatient, community and residential settings.

You will use your specialist OT skills to develop person-centred, evidence-based interventions that promote wellbeing, independence, meaningful activity and quality of life.

A key focus will be supporting individuals at risk of admission, during hospital admission and where discharge is delayed, contributing to admission avoidance, complex case management, transition and discharge planning.

The role offers an opportunity to develop specialist knowledge of autism, sensory processing, mental health and complex presentations, while contributing to autism-informed practice across the wider system.

We are seeking a compassionate, clinically confident and adaptable OT who can work autonomously while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary team and is committed to improving outcomes and experiences for autistic people across Birmingham and Solihull.

Main duties of the job

• Provide specialist, evidence-based Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention for autistic people with complex needs, including co-existing mental health and/or learning disabilities.
• Undertake OT assessments of sensory processing, functional ability, emotional regulation, activities of daily living and occupational needs, developing person-centred interventions to promote wellbeing, independence and meaningful activity.
• Contribute to risk assessment, safety planning, positive risk-taking and complex case management.

• Provide specialist advice, coaching and consultation to individuals, families, carers and professionals to promote autism-informed practice.

• Support admission avoidance, transition planning and hospital discharge, working collaboratively to reduce barriers and improve outcomes.

• Provide advice on environmental adaptations, assistive technology, equipment and reasonable adjustments across a variety of settings.

• Work collaboratively within the AEST, wider MDTs and partner organisations to ensure coordinated, integrated care.

• Provide clinical guidance, supervision and teaching to junior staff and students, contributing to workforce development.

• Contribute to service development, audit, research, quality improvement and evidence-based practice.

• Work flexibly across community, inpatient and residential settings, including travel between locations as required.

Working for our organisation

Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.

Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people's lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.

Person specification

Knowledge and experience

Essential criteria

• Qualified Occupational Therapist with current HCPC registration and evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Relevant clinical experience and autonomous caseload management
• Relevant knowledge and understanding of Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention
• Ability to Risk assess and manage complex cases.
• Experience of working within multi-disciplinary and/or multi-agency teams.
• Understanding autism/neurodiversity and the ability to transfer clinical skills to this area.

Desirable criteria

• Specialist autism/neurodevelopmental service experience.
• Sensory assessment/intervention experience
• Experience supporting students/junior staff
• Service development/student or quality improvement experience
• Relevant post-graduate autism/neurodevelopmental training

Additional employer information

Our Trust is committed to treating individuals fairly and ensuring they have the same opportunities to fulfil their potential, even if this means doing things differently for different people sometimes. We are working hard to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity within Birmingham and Solihull and that our services meet the needs of all diverse service users and carers.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of our safe recruitment practice pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. As part of the selection process you may be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, however all cases of criminal record history are dealt with on a case by case basis.

Please note, if applicable for your role you will be required to cover the cost of your DBS certificate. This will be deducted from your salary over 3 months.

All successful applicants will be required to complete the Trust's induction programme. The Fundamental (Statutory and Mandatory) training will be in an e-learning format. You will be required to complete training modules online (approx. 9-14 hours depending on post) by the end of your second week with us.

If you are successful at the shortlisting stage of the recruitment process we may contact you via email to advise you of the interview details. Please ensure you access your email account from which you applied regularly once the position has closed. Our selection process may involve more than one interview or assessment.

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the United Kingdom (UK) are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, please ensure that you check if this role meets the eligibility criteria for sponsorship. Non UK /Republic of Ireland candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Browse: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The minimum salary threshold for a Health and Social Care is £25,000 and for the Skilled Worker route is £38,700. If the starting salary for this role is below this, we will not be able to provide sponsorship.

Overseas applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided in continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Relocation expenses may be reimbursed subject to eligibility. The policy provides for reimbursement up to £8,000.

Please note - if you are applying for a role within Police custody, due to Police Vetting requirements you must have been a UK resident for the last years.

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.

Application numbers

We highly recommend you submit your application as soon as possible, this post may close earlier than the indicated closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Documents to download

• Job Description (PDF, 256.4KB)
• Person Specification (PDF, 80.7KB)
• Everyday Behaviours Guide (PDF, 159.9KB)
• Recruitment Fraud and Fees Notice (PDF, 280.6KB)
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Statement (PDF, 272.6KB)
• Recruitment Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement (PDF, 288.6KB)