Joining #TeamNELFT means you’ll become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We’re CQC rated Good, and we want you to join us on the journey towards an Outstanding rating. NELFT has sites across North East London, Essex, Kent and Medway. We provide community and mental healthcare services to adults and children within these areas.

The Trust has award winning equality and diversity initiatives and staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest heavily in your development, because when you are valued and supported, we provide the best care to our patients. We are a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, have been featured in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for three consecutive years, and we have achieved a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation. Along with our staff networks and training opportunities, we work hard to embed a just and compassionate culture here at NELFT.

Find out more about NELFT careers and what makes our Trust a great place to work, in this video

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join our innovative and dynamic North Mental Health & Wellness Team in Barking and Dagenham. This multi-disciplinary team provides community-based support for service users living in the borough who have a serious and enduring mental health diagnosis.

The post holder will deliver Occupational Therapy provision to a designated caseload, supporting the mental health recovery and engagement of users of service in all aspects of independent living. This includes the assessment, treatment and evaluation of Occupational Therapy clinical interventions, the planning and implementing of a range of therapeutic individual and group work and the completion of functional ADL assessments when indicated. As an integral member of the multidisciplinary team, the post holder will engage in team care planning, risk assessments, duty and triage tasks. 

Main duties of the job

Successful candidates will have strong engagement and motivation skills and will be able to work well with service users with complex mental health needs. Effective written and verbal communication skills with a working knowledge of the Occupational Therapy process and application of the Model of Human Occupation are also essential.

With direct supervision and support from the service Occupational Therapists and team leads, the opportunity exists for the successful applicant to further develop their skills and experience, enabling them to look forward to the prospect of dynamic career progression within NELFT.’

Working for our organisation

Starting with NELFT
NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop in sessions focusing in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff). 

High Cost Area Supplement - London

This post attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (minimum payment of £4,551 and a maximum payment of £5,735 per annum pro rata).

Certificates of Sponsorship

Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points based system. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for further details on the vacancy.

Use of AI

Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Qualified /registered Occupational therapist Evidence of post-registration Training /qualification and continued CPD

Experience

Essential criteria

Working with adults who have complex mental health needs To have experience as a caseworker and CPA Care Co-ordinator To have experience in working/liaising with multi-disciplinary teams, internal and external agencies in the provision of care To have experience of assessing, planning and initiate care Ability to work under pressure, quickly and effectively, making timely clinical decisions in conjunction with the MDT Anility to work both independently and as part of the team Experience of using MOHO and OT ADL assessments.

Knowledge

Essential criteria

To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act To have a working knowledge of the requirements of specific OT assessment requiring an understanding of the Recovery Model and Social Inclusion to support mental health recover

Skills

Essential criteria

Clinical risk assessment and management skills Ability to make complex decisions under pressure and demonstrate stress and crisis management skills Ability to facilitate positive MDT working relationships across all service areas Effective and well-developed interpersonal skills especially when handling conflict and change. Ability to assess, plan and implement programmes of care with Service User and Carers involvement Understanding of and commitment to the principles of equal opportunities in service delivery Ability to formulate clear and concise clinical records and be able to disseminate information appropriately and to relevant agencies

Other

Essential criteria

Ability to travel and carry were relevant work-related equipment between sites in an effective and safe manner

Benefits

We believe in bringing your authentic and best self to work, in order to deliver the best care to our patients. We are committed to supporting our employees holistically. Here is a snapshot of what is on offer at NELFT:

A long-standing and award-winning approach to equality and diversity with supportive networks for ethnic minority staff, staff with disabilities or long term/chronic conditions and LGBT staff. A commitment to supporting colleagues to achieve a work life balance, through flexible working opportunities and our effortsto support our working parents and carers. This has resulted in us being recognised as a ‘Top 10 Family Friendly Employer’ from the Working Families Charity. Proactive health and wellbeing support, including access to our employee assistance programme, staff psychological support, individual wellbeing conversations and a network of health and wellbeing ambassadors. Detailed information about our wellbeing and benefits offer can be found in this link.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement whether that’s a job share, part time hours or another flexible pattern.