Occupational Therapy Assistant | Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust


Company:	Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Salary:	£30,630 - £32,346 pa inc
Hours:	Part-time
Location:	Erith, DA8 3EE
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	8 Sept 2026
Closing date:	8 Oct 2026

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Summary

Important Sponsorship Information for this post: We are currently unable to offer a certificate of sponsorship for this post.

The postholder will contribute to the provision of occupational therapy services within Bexley, for community mental health service users, working alongside the Occupational Therapist’s (OT) within all community mental health teams to enable service users to reach their recovery potential, this role will specifically focus on supporting clients to engage in meaningful activities via group and one to one intervention, also including social inclusion. Promoting access to community resources and building social networks.

Under the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist (OT) the postholder will:

• Work as part of the Community Mental Health OT team

• Use technical, creative, sports and psychosocial skills to deliver occupational therapy intervention. This will be service user centred that will include groups and individual sessions to service users who experience mental health difficulties.

• Focus on social inclusion and skills development.

• Work autonomously under the guidance of community Mental Health Occupational therapists to implement treatment for service users with mental health issues impacting upon function. This will entail both group and 1-1 work.

• Provide treatment in accordance with individualised care plans under the supervision of an occupational therapist

• Support service users to build physical activity and community activities into their daily activities and routine, that are designed to support recovery and independence as directed by the occupational therapist.

• Report any safety or security concerns in order to maintain the safety of service users, staff and others.

• Take part in regular supervision and appraisal and participate in mandatory training

• Participate in multi-disciplinary working by exchanging appropriate information with service users, staff, carers. Maintaining adherence to data protection guidance and confidentiality at all times.

• Undertake any other reasonable duties as directed

Oxleas offers a wide range of NHS healthcare services to people in community and secure environment settings. Our services include community health care such as district nursing and speech and language therapy, care for people with learning disabilities and mental health care such as psychiatry, nursing and therapies. Our multidisciplinary teams look after people of all ages and we work in close partnership with other parts of the NHS, local councils and the voluntary sector and through our new provider collaboratives. Our 4,300 members of staff work in many different settings including hospitals, clinics, prisons, secure hospitals, children’s centres, schools and people’s homes.

We have over 125 sites in a variety of locations in the South of England. In London we operate within the Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley Greenwich and into Kent. We manage hospital sites including Queen Mary’s Hospital, Sidcup and Memorial Hospital, Woolwich, as well as the Bracton Centre, our medium secure unit for people with mental health needs. We are the largest NHS provider of prison health services providing healthcare to prisons within Devon, Dorset, Bristol, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, Kent and South London. We are proud of the care we provide and our people.

Our purpose is to improve lives by providing the best possible care to our patients and their families.  This is strengthened by our new values:

• We’re Kind

• We’re Fair

• We Listen

• We Care

Clinical

• To work effectively as a member of a team in providing groups that are community based therapeutic activities, this post aims to focus on promoting meaningful in the community. · To use technical, creative, psychosocial and daily living skills to engage clients in therapeutic activities to promote independence, well-being and social inclusion. · Under supervision of a registered OT, facilitate/co-facilitate planned community group work and individual activities.

• Engage in ongoing continuous assessment and treatment and adjust own clinical interventions based on the fluctuating needs of the service users. · Contribute to formal OT assessments, under guidance of a registered OT and provide feedback on client’s occupational functioning. · Assist in the implementation, evaluation and modification of OT and team interventions. · Under supervision of a registered OT, instruct and support service users to achieve their goals. · Undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.

Communication

• To form professional relationships with service users, who often exhibit challenging behaviour, and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture. · To report effectively to the team on service users performance/progress in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure. · To communicate appropriately with carers.

Documentation

• To ensure that up to date written and electronic and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional and Trust standards. · To open referrals and follow operational policy to managing caseload. · To follow the processes for addressing complaints and incidents.

Professional

• To adhere to the COT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and all other relevant policies and procedures.

Leadership, supervision & appraisal

• In line with Trust guidelines, review and reflect on your own practise and performance through regular participation in professional supervision and personal development reviews.

Training staff & students

• To participate in the induction, training and education of students and other staff in this setting.

Service development & delivery

• To participate in and contribute to the development of the OT service across the Service.

Professional development

• To undertake relevant activities to meet personal development objectives identified with your supervisor. · To develop and maintain a CPD portfolio.

• To keep a record of your training and development activities. · To participate in and contribute to the MDT Clinical Development Meetings

Clinical governance, quality, standards

• Participate in clinical governance activities i.e. critical appraisal, peer review. · To have knowledge of risk assessment and management and incorporate these principles into your practice.

Line management, staff, budgets

• To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance. · To be responsible for equipment and supplies and where appropriate the management of petty cash.

Physical & Mental Effort

• Complex workload within a busy department

Research & practice development

• As part of a team, incorporate up-to-date techniques and ideas of positive practise into your programme. · Under the supervision of a qualified OT utilise evidence based practice in your everyday work. · To participate in OT/team audit and evaluation activities as agreed with your supervisor.

This advert closes on Wednesday 16 Sep 2026

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