Band 5/6 Development Occupational Therapist

Job summary
Thank you for your interest in this exciting opportunity for a Band 5/6 Development Occupational Therapist within our inpatient mental health services at Lakeside Mental Health Unit.

We are seeking a motivated and innovative Occupational Therapist who is passionate about recovery-focused practice and improving outcomes for people experiencing mental ill health. This post is suitable for either an experienced Band 5 Occupational Therapist looking to develop into a Band 6 role through a structured competency framework, or an existing Band 6 Occupational Therapist with relevant experience.

You will join a supportive and dynamic multidisciplinary team where occupational therapy is highly valued. We offer excellent supervision, development opportunities and access to a wide range of professional networks, training and quality improvement initiatives.

This is an excellent opportunity to build your career within West London NHS Trust, one of the UK's leading mental health providers, while making a meaningful difference to the lives of people on their road to recovery.

Main duties of the job
As a Band 5/6 Development Occupational Therapist, you will provide person-centred occupational therapy assessment, intervention and discharge planning for adults receiving inpatient mental health care.

You will manage a clinical caseload and work closely with service users, carers and multidisciplinary colleagues to support recovery, independence and engagement in meaningful occupations. You will deliver both individual and group-based interventions, contribute to care planning and risk management, and support discharge planning and community reintegration.

For candidates appointed at Band 5 level, a structured development programme will support progression towards Band 6 competencies. This will include enhanced supervision, opportunities to develop advanced clinical reasoning, management of increasingly complex cases, participation in quality improvement projects and the development of leadership and supervisory skills.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about occupational therapy, committed to continuous learning and able to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. Experience of recovery-focused practice, effective communication skills and a commitment to person-centred care are essential.

At West London NHS Trust, we value curiosity, innovation and continuous improvement and will support you to develop your professional interests and career aspirations

About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.

Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.

The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.

The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.

Details
Date posted: 27 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £45,953 to £54,254 a year
per annum inclusive of 15% HCAS
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 222-HOU-283
Job locations: Lakeside MHU (West Mid), Twickenham Road, London, TW7 6AF, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached

The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• BSc (Hons) or equivalent Occupational Therapy qualification
• HCPC Registration

Experience
Essential

• Achieved Band 5 OT KSF sub-set (usually through 12 month preceptorship programme)
• Achieved full KSF outline for Band 5 OT (usually second year post qualified)
• Relevant post-qualified OT experience in Mental Health
• Application of core OT skills and OT process
• Multidisciplinary team working
• Experience of supervising /co-supervising students

Desirable

• Involvement in research and clinical audit
• Experience of supervision of students and staff
• A minimum of two and a half years post qualified experience as an OT (or equivalent role) in a health or social care or 3rd sector setting

Knowledge
Essential

• Organisational ability
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to build rapport with service users, carers and colleagues
• Evidence of ability in OT assessment, treatment planning, intervention and evaluation
• Use of standardised assessment tools and outcome measures
• Ability to work independently and under supervision as part of a team
• Group work skills
• Computer literacy
• Contribution to service development and the training of others
• Supervisory skills

Desirable

• Clinical/case supervision training

Skills
Essential

• Organisational ability
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to build rapport with service users, carers and colleagues
• Evidence of ability in OT assessment, treatment planning, intervention and evaluation
• Use of standardised assessment tools and outcome measures
• Ability to work independently and under supervision as part of a team
• Group work skills
• Computer literacy
• Contribution to service development and the training of others
• Supervisory skills
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance

Desirable

• Ability to prepare and present papers at study days and conferences
• Ability to apply (research) evidence-based practice
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise others performance

Other
Essential

• Ability to reflect, identify and take responsibility for continuing professional development needs
• Understand the need for and actively participates in own supervision and constructive use of feedback
• High levels of initiative, innovation and self-motivation
• Commitment to client-centred, non-discriminatory practice

Desirable

• Membership of a Special Interest Group e.g. COT SS Mental Health
• Able to demonstrate a strong professional identity

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: West London NHS Trust
Address: Lakeside MHU (West Mid), Twickenham Road, London, TW7 6AF, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Deputy Lead Occupational Therapist, Gwyneth Ataderie, [email protected], 07927131110

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.