Occupational Therapist

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Forensic Outreach Service in one of the dedicated clinical posts supporting a new forensic step-down supported living service, scheduled to open in January 2027.

The Service will be delivered as part of the SWLSTG Adult Secure discharge and step-down pathway, commissioned through the South London Partnership (SLP) Adult Secure Provider Collaborative Programme. The service will provide an integrated model of care and support through a partnership between the Forensic Outreach Service and a Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) provider. The VCS partner will deliver the supported living pathway and work closely with the SWLSTG Forensic Outreach Service which will host dedicated clinical posts.

The Service is commissioned for adults stepping down from Adult Secure inpatient services into a community setting, whose ordinary residence and Section 117 aftercare provision sits with one of the five South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust (SWLSTG) boroughs, for health and social care. It will enable people to transition safely and sustainably from secure mental health services into the community, through access to high quality accommodation and specialist, recovery-focused support delivered in a least restrictive setting.

The successful candidate will work within the Forensic Directorate in providing Occupational Therapy input to individuals living within the Forensic Step-Down Service. The post holder will sit within the Forensic Outreach Service.

The post holder will play a key role within the Forensic Step-Down Accommodation Service, supporting individuals with complex mental health needs and forensic histories to successfully transition from secure or inpatient settings to independent community living. The role involves delivering specialist occupational therapy assessments and interventions using evidence-based, recovery-focused approaches and the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) to promote meaningful engagement in daily activities, enhance independence, and support social inclusion. Working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, the Occupational Therapist will contribute to risk assessment and management, care planning, CPA reviews, MAPPA processes, and multi-agency working, while providing clinical supervision and support to junior staff and students. The post holder will also champion equality, accessibility and inclusion, ensuring that service users are supported to achieve their recovery goals and maximise their
quality of life within the community.

We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.

We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.

This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world.

We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.

We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.

Unless expressly stated in the job advert the role is not subject to sponsorship, please be advised that all offers of employment are subject to evidence of right to work in the UK.

To provide a specialist occupational therapy service within the Forensic step-down service for service users with complex mental health needs and forensic histories.

To deliver evidence-based, person-centred occupational therapy assessments, interventions and outcome measures, informed by the Model of Human Occupation and recovery-focused principles.

To manage a defined caseload, delivering interventions flexibly across a range of community and clinical settings.

To contribute to delegated occupational therapy and multidisciplinary projects within the service, with support from senior staff.

To act as Disability Champion, promoting equality, accessibility and inclusion, and supporting the team to meet disability equality standards.

To provide clinical supervision, guidance and support to junior occupational therapy staff, support staff and students on placement.

To work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary community team, liaising effectively with inpatient services, community services and external agencies to support coordinated care.

To contribute to multidisciplinary decision-making through attendance at relevant meetings, including CPA reviews, risk management meetings and tribunals where appropriate.

To contribute to multi-agency working, including participation in MAPPA processes where required.

To work within relevant legal frameworks, including the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act, as appropriate to the role.

To respond flexibly to clinical demands, including prioritising urgent referrals and working jointly with colleagues as required to meet service user needs.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in job applications

If you have used AI to support the preparation of your application, please briefly indicate how it was used within your supporting statement or application form.

Please remember, your application is your opportunity to tell us about your skills, experience and motivation for the role. We encourage applicants to complete their application and supporting statement in their own words wherever possible. We recognise that AI tools can be helpful in supporting accessibility, and for improving spelling, grammar and structure.

Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content can become generic and fail to accurately reflect an applicant's individual experience. Applications that clearly demonstrate your own voice, reflections and experiences are often the most effective and help us better understand your suitability for the role.

Please be aware that information provided in your application and supporting statement may be explored further during the selection process. It is important that all applications accurately represent your own knowledge, skills and experience.

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