Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen within Community Stroke Services for Specialist Occupational Therapists to join our team, supporting the delivery of high-quality occupational therapy and rehabilitation to stroke survivors across North East Essex. We currently have two opportunities available: one permanent position (35 hours per week) and one fixed-term position (22.5 hours per week) until 3 January 2028.

The Community Stroke Service provides needs-led rehabilitation for people who develop new or changing therapeutic needs following stroke. The service works in line with the Integrated Community Stroke Service (ICSS) model, providing responsive, person-centred support based on individual need.

The postholder will work as part of an established multidisciplinary team comprising Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Physiotherapists, a Psychologist, a Stroke Nurse and an experienced team of Associate and Assistant Practitioners.

Main duties of the job

• Provide high-quality, safe, evidence-based and goal-focused rehabilitation to stroke survivors, supporting them to maximise their independence, become active partners in their care and, wherever possible, remain within their own homes and communities.
• Undertake holistic specialist occupational therapy assessment and intervention, addressing the physical, cognitive, psychological, functional and environmental impact of stroke.
• Deliver six-month post-stroke reviews, using a holistic and person-centred approach to identify ongoing or emerging needs, review progress and recovery, and facilitate appropriate intervention, advice, onward referral or signposting.
• Work collaboratively with stroke survivors, their families and carers, and the wider multidisciplinary team to support personalised rehabilitation and longer-term recovery.
• Apply clear clinical reasoning and specialist assessment and intervention skills in the management of people with stroke and neurological conditions.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the Community Stroke Service.

About us
We are one of the largest NHS organisation in the region, employing over 12,000 staff. We deliver care from two main hospitals in Colchester & Ipswich, six community hospitals, clinics and patient's homes.

Our scale provides exciting opportunities for development, innovation, research, education and training.

Talk to us about our range of flexible working opportunities, apprenticeships and staff benefits

Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of all we do; and it forms part of ESNEFTs core activities. The Trust operates and relies on everyone treating each other with dignity and respect, to receive equitable and fair treatment in the implementation of Policies, procedures and in its practices and to foster positive work relationships. The EDI Agenda reflects the Trust values of Optimistic, Appreciative and Kind. In line with the NHS Long Term Plan and Staff Standards, we consistently strive to improve, to take the learning into Action for a better ESNEFT.

Details
Date posted: 11 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: CHX-ITX-000274
Job locations: The Crescent, Colchester, Essex, CO4 9YQ, United Kingdom

Working at ESNEFT
We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options. Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.

Sponsorship Eligibility: To comply with UK Government regulations on sponsorship we are unable to provide sponsorship to applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria or the salary threshold. Full guidance on sponsorship can be found Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK

Notes
Please note that where response levels are exceptional we may close the post before the specified date, therefore early application is recommended.

In line with AfC Terms and Conditions new entrants to NHS will commence on the entry level of the salary.

If you require any information in an alternative format or have any access needs for the application process, please contact us.

Person Specification
Qualifications

• Essential: BSc / MSc Occupational Therapy
• Essential: HCPC Registered Occupational Therapist

Experience

• Essential: Experience of multi-disciplinary working.
• Essential: Comprehensive range of complex caseload management.
• Essential: Experience of facilitating discharges from the acute setting and/or managing a caseload of patients within the community setting.

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.

Employer details
Employer name: East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Address: The Crescent, Colchester, Essex, CO4 9YQ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Professional Lead for Community Therapies, Jo Flaherty, johanna.flaherty@esneft.nhs.uk