Occupational Therapy Assistant
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Beckenham, BR3 3BXView on map(opens Google Maps in a new tab)
Salary
£33,262 to £36,027
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Not specified
Closing date
26 October 2026
7 days leftJob description
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) supports the delivery of therapeutic, recreational, and occupationally focused interventions for service user...
- To provide a flexible programme of recreational, vocational and educational activities within the service in collaboration with the Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT), volunteers and sessional workers.
- To provide support and engage service users in therapeutic activities to promote recovery, independence and well-being
- To support the development of a balanced therapeutic ward based programme for service users at different stages of recovery
- To contribute to the collaborative care planning process, monitoring service users progress, taking account service users goals and aspirations and adjusting interventions accordingly
- To work independently, facilitating group or individual work, planned with a registered OT.
To work as an integrated member of the multidisciplinary team by contributing to a programme of therapeutic activities that support a person centred and recovery focused approach to an individuals care and treatment during admission.
To provide individual occupational interventions detailed within an occupationally focused and/or activity-based care plan using specialist technical and engagement skills under the supervision of a qualified Occupational Therapist.
To inform and assist with the development of occupationally focused and/or activity-based care plans.
- To provide comprehensive written summary within clinical on a persons progress during their admission based on observation and feedback obtained from the service user and others.
- To communicate, written and verbally, with external agencies and stakeholders as delegated by the qualified Occupational Therapist
Leadership, supervision and appraisal
In line with Trust guidelines to hold a high degree of self-awareness and be able to reflect on own clinical practice and performance via regular supervision, annual appraisal, reflective practice sessions and informal supports as required.
To act as a source of support for colleagues, students, sessional workers and volunteers to ensure a safe and effective service is provided.
Training staff and students
To participate in training and development priorities and opportunities specialist within the service as required.
To develop competencies in training and other health and safety requirements aligned to the role, as delegated by the qualified Occupational Therapist or ward teams.
Service development and delivery
- To ensure that areas are well maintained, kept and comply with health and safety guidelines, ensuring the safe use of equipment and storage of materials.
- To provide treatment in an environment where security and safety procedures must be strictly adhered to and ensure that legal restrictions associated with the mental health act are incorporated into activity provision
Clinical governance, quality, standards
- To participate in clinical governance and quality improvement projects as allocated by the lead Occupational Therapist and ward teams
- To comply with all Trust policies.
Line management, staff, budgets dept
- Must be prepared to work some evenings/weekends if required
- To maintain stock and advise on resources necessary to carry out the job.
Research and development
As part of a team, incorporate up-to-date techniques and ideas of positive practice into your programme
To participate in audit and evaluation activities as agreed with your supervisor.
To undertake mandatory and statutory training as required by Trust policy including computing skills, group skills, food handling and Seni Lewis training skills within 12 months of appointment.
To contribute and commit to undertaking an annual appraisal.
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre. There are very few organisations in the world that have such wide-ranging capabilities working with mental illness. Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care and treatment, science and research, and training.
SLaM employ around 5000 staff and serve a local population of 1.1 million people. We have more than 230 services including inpatient wards, outpatient and community services. Currently, provide inpatient care for approximately 5,300 people each year and treat more than 45,000 patients in the community in Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark; as well as substance misuse services for residents of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich.
Qualfications
Essential
- Health and social care related qualification above basic level e.g. City & Guilds final certificate, NVQ 3 or 4, Diploma or Degree
- Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
Desirable: - Further education qualification in health / mental health related subject; - Any relevant therapies qualification e.g. creative arts
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of working in education/mental health/social care setting
- Working with people with mental health problems and complex needs
- Experience of working with and/or understanding of Occupational Therapy
Desirable: - Experience in working with service users with forensic history
Knowledge
Essential
- An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health problems
- An understanding of the needs of service users from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds
- Ability to teach practical skills to service users.
- Understanding of professional conduct/ boundaries
- Ability to work independently of direct supervision in clinical areas and in community settings
Desirable
- Positive interpersonal skills.
- Ability to develop practical solutions to problems that may arise.
- Understanding of professional conduct/ boundaries
- Ability to use own initiative and lone work as per policy
- Understanding of professional conduct.
Other
Essential
- Willingness to develop and advance own learning
- Able to work flexibly including some evening and weekend work and be open to new ideas and new ways of working
- Good time management skills
- Personal resilience
- To be able to participate in full 5-day Seni Lewis training (physical demand)
How to apply
Applications are handled entirely by the employer on the original advert. We do not collect CVs, supporting statements or application data.
Provenance
Source
NHS Jobs
First seen
12 October 2026
Last checked
13 October 2026
Salary, closing date and description are taken from the employer's advert. The original advert always takes precedence.
About the employer
NHS organisation
This listing was structured from NHS Jobs. Vacancy details and the application process remain the responsibility of the original source.
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