Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, motivated, and innovative Occupational Therapist to join our multidisciplinary prison healthcare team.

Working within a secure custodial environment, you will provide specialist occupational therapy assessment and intervention to individuals with a range of complex physical health, mental health, neurodiversity, cognitive, and social care needs. You will play a key role in promoting recovery, independence, wellbeing, and meaningful occupation for people living within the prison community.

As part of a 24-hour integrated healthcare service, you will work collaboratively with mental health professionals, primary care teams, substance misuse services, prison staff, and external agencies to deliver holistic, person-centred care that reduces health inequalities and supports rehabilitation.

Main duties of the job

• Undertake comprehensive occupational therapy assessments for individuals with complex physical and mental health needs
• Develop and implement person-centred treatment plans aimed at promoting independence, recovery, and wellbeing
• Deliver evidence-based occupational therapy interventions on both an individual and group basis.
• Support patients experiencing challenges relating to activities of daily living, sensory processing, cognition, mental health, and functional independence.
• Contribute to risk assessment and risk management processes.
• Facilitate engagement in meaningful occupation, education, vocational activities, and social inclusion opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with prison and healthcare colleagues to support safe discharge and continuity of care.
• Provide specialist advice to multidisciplinary teams regarding occupational performance and environmental adaptation.
• Supervise, support, and mentor junior staff, support workers, and students where appropriate.
• Participate in service development, quality improvement initiatives, clinical audit, and professional development activities.

About us
Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.

Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people's lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.

Details
Date posted: 03 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year plus Environmental Allowance of £1542 per annum
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 436-8320780
Closing date: 17 November 2026

Job responsibilities
The Occupational Therapist will play a unique role in addressing the impact of incarceration on health, wellbeing, and occupational functioning. Through specialist assessment and intervention, the postholder will support rehabilitation, recovery, social inclusion, and resettlement, enabling individuals to develop the skills and confidence required to lead healthier, more independent lives both in custody and upon release. The role contributes directly to reducing health inequalities, improving patient outcomes, supporting prison safety, and reducing the risk of reoffending through meaningful occupational engagement.

• Deliver occupational therapy services within a secure custodial environment, ensuring practice is aligned with prison security procedures and operational requirements.
• Develop interventions that promote independence, self-care, daily living skills, emotional wellbeing, and meaningful activity within the constraints of the prison setting.
• Undertake environmental and functional assessments to identify barriers to participation and advise on reasonable adjustments for prisoners with disabilities or long-term health conditions.
• Promote equality of access to health, wellbeing, educational, vocational, and recreational opportunities within the prison environment.
• Work as part of a 24-hour integrated healthcare service, contributing specialist occupational therapy expertise to both physical and mental health pathways.
• Support individuals transitioning between prison wings, secure settings, healthcare units, and community services on release, ensuring continuity of care and rehabilitation planning.

For further information about the main responsibilities please view the attached job description and person specification.

We highly recommend you submit your application as soon as possible, this post may close earlier than the indicated closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Person Specification
Essential

• Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy. Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Experience supporting individuals with complex physical health, mental health, cognitive, learning disability.

Desirable

• Experience of conducting comprehensive occupational therapy assessments and delivering evidence-based interventions.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Address: HMP Birmingham, Winson Green Road, Birmingham, B18 4AS, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Deputy Head of Healthcare, Jasmine Bates, jasminebates@nhs.net, 01215988028

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