Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 7 Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist within the Berkshire West CAMHS Getting More Help Service, covering Reading, Wokingham and Newbury. Based at Erlegh House, University of Reading, this full-time role involves working with children and young people experiencing complex mental health difficulties who require intensive specialist support.

The service delivers responsive, formulation-led interventions through a collaborative approach involving young people, families, education, social care and voluntary sector partners. The successful candidate will provide specialist occupational therapy assessments and evidence-based interventions, developing holistic formulations and needs-led care plans that support positive outcomes.

The post holder will promote and develop the role of Occupational Therapy within the multidisciplinary team, providing consultation, advice and supervision to colleagues and junior staff.

The successful applicant will join a supportive multidisciplinary team, and have access to excellent continuing professional development opportunities. Staff wellbeing is prioritised through reflective practice sessions, team formulation meetings and manageable caseloads.

The ideal candidate will be a team player who is passionate about supporting children, young people and families.

Main duties of the job

• Deliver advanced OT assessments, interventions and outcome measures, using evidence-based, client-centred approaches for adults with complex mental health needs and diverse co-morbidities.
• Provide specialist advice and support to the MDT on occupational therapy and evidence based interventions.
• Promote recovery focused and trauma informed approaches.
• To have a role in the assessment of new patients referred to the service as required.
• To facilitate the involvement of carers and or family members in treatment programmes as indicated.
• Provide mental health rehabilitation and social inclusion through meaningful occupation and vocational engagement.
• Offer supervision and training to junior colleagues.
• Lead on OT service delivery within the CAMHS Getting More Help service.
• Represent and advocate for OT within CAMHS.
• Work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team and within a multi-agency system.
• Work autonomously within professional guidelines and exercise responsibility for the systematic governance of psychological practice.
• Contribute to audit, service development and research, as appropriate.

About us
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

Details
Date posted: 15 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £51,657 to £58,785 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 371-CFS855-A
Job locations: University of Reading, Earley Gate, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6BZ

Job responsibilities
The must haves for this role:

• A Clinical registrable qualification.
• Experience in Childrens Mental Health services.
• The ability to manage complexity.
• To work as part of a team.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification. Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, it's important that examples and responses given in your supporting statement genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey.

In addition to explaining how you meet the person specification, you must complete your employment history for at least the last five years. Any experience, skills or responsibilities referenced in your supporting statement should be evidenced within your employment history. Applications that do not include sufficient employment history to support the experience claimed may not be shortlisted.

We're committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Stonewall Proud Employer, Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Christina Subrai on 0118 9046780 or email: christina.subrai@berkshire.nhs.uk who'll be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification
Education, qualifications or training
Essential

• Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy
• HCPC registration

Continuous Professional Development
Essential

• Mental health- recover/rehabilitation approaches

Desirable

• Further learning in leadership
• Further learning in the use of sensory approaches

Previous Experience
Essential

• Significant post qualification experience in working with children and young people
• Experience of working in a CAMHS service
• Experience of working in a community setting
• Supervision of staff and/or students
• Experience in Leadership

Desirable

• Experience in service development or project leadership

Knowledge, skills and abilities
Essential

• Advanced clinical reasoning skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience of undertaking audits, data collection and data reporting
• Experience of providing training and education for colleagues/students
• Organisational and leadership skills
• Knowledge of relevant OT models, clinical assessments, interventions and outcome measures
• Ability to work autonomously, in MDTs and with wider stakeholders
• Knowledge of relevant mental health policy and national drivers/guidelines

Desirable

• Ability to support with research activity

Additional Requirements
Essential

• The role will involve home visits and lone working
• Enhanced DBS clearance
• Ability to travel within the community, across multiple destinations in the West of Berkshire

Desirable

• Car driver with access to a vehicle

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.

Employer details
Employer name: Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
Address: University of Reading, Earley Gate, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6BZ
Employer's website: https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Team Manager - SCT West, Christina Subrai, christina.subrai@berkshire.nhs.uk, 01189046780

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