Occupational Therapist

Locum Principal Occupational Therapist

About the Role

• Tripod are seeking an experienced and visionary Principal Occupational Therapist to provide strategic leadership and drive excellence across Occupational Therapy services spanning adults, children, and housing.
• This is a senior leadership role with a strong focus on quality assurance, practice improvement, workforce development, and service transformation.
• You will play a critical role in ensuring that Occupational Therapy practice across the city is evidence-based, outcomes-focused, and aligned with statutory duties and best practice.
• Working closely with the Principal Social Worker and senior leaders, you will help shape the future of Occupational Therapy in Bristol, supporting a skilled, resilient workforce and improving outcomes for people who draw on care and support, carers, and families.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide professional leadership for Occupational Therapy across Bristol City Council
• Quality assure OT practice and service delivery, reporting on performance and standards to senior managers
• Lead the transformation and continuous improvement of Occupational Therapy practice
• Embed evidence-based practice and research within the OT culture
• Champion continuous professional development, learning, and staff wellbeing
• Provide professional advice and guidance to senior managers and OT staff
• Oversee supervision, appraisal, attendance, and performance management of senior staff
• Ensure services deliver value for money and meet agreed financial objectives
• Lead and support integrated working with partner organisations
• Play a key role in developing inclusive, co-produced service models for carers

About You

• You will be a highly experienced Occupational Therapist with strong leadership and strategic capability, bringing:
• Extensive experience within statutory adult social care
• Proven ability to quality assure practice and improve service standards
• Strong understanding of evidence-based practice, legislation, and policy
• Experience leading, supervising, and developing senior professionals
• Confidence working at a senior and strategic level within complex organisations
• A commitment to equality, diversity, safeguarding, and inclusive practice
• The ability to drive change while supporting and developing a resilient workforce