Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic Senior Occupational Therapist to join the Older Adult Occupational Therapy Team within the Specialist Dementia and Frailty Service (SDFS) in West Essex.

This role involves working with older adults experiencing dementia, cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, psychosis, and other complex mental health needs. You will provide occupational therapy assessment and intervention across community, clinic, home, and care home settings, supporting people to maintain independence, wellbeing, and quality of life.

You will contribute to the delivery of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based Wellbeing Group, supporting older adults to build resilience, improve wellbeing, and participate in meaningful occupations.

The role also includes working within the Care Home Liaison Team, providing specialist assessment, consultation and advice for residents living in care homes across West Essex. This work focuses on improving quality of life, reducing distress, supporting staff, and promoting person-centred care.

Alongside interventions such as Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST), you will work closely with the Multi-Disciplinary Team, contributing to assessment, care planning, and recovery-focused interventions.

We offer regular supervision, reflective practice, service development opportunities, and support from a strong occupational therapy network.

Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will:

• Deliver high-quality occupational therapy assessment, intervention, and evaluation for older adults with dementia, cognitive impairment, and mental health needs.
• Manage a varied caseload across community, clinic, home, and care home settings.
• Promote independence, recovery, wellbeing, and occupational engagement through evidence-based interventions.
• Screen, develop, facilitate, and evaluate therapeutic groups, including Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) and wellbeing-focused interventions.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of an innovative ACT-based Wellbeing Group for older adults.
• Work as part of the Care Home Liaison Team, providing specialist assessment, consultation, advice, training, and non-pharmacological interventions within care homes.
• Support care home staff to implement person-centred approaches that enhance wellbeing and quality of life.
• Work collaboratively within the Multi-Disciplinary Team, contributing to formulation, care planning, reviews, and risk management.
• Support and supervise students, support workers, and junior staff as appropriate.
• Contribute to service development, quality improvement, and the continued growth of Occupational Therapy within SDFS

About us
Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
• We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.

Benefits

• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
• Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us (subject to terms and conditions)
• Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

• Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed

Job responsibilities
Please refer to the Job Description for full details of the role.

In summary, you will work as a core member of the Occupational Therapy team within the wider Specialist Dementia and Frailty Service for West Essex.

You will work collaboratively with the MultiDisciplinary Team (MDT) to deliver highquality occupational therapy assessment, care planning, and intervention for older adults with complex needs. The role also includes providing advice, guidance, and practical support to carers, promoting independence, safety, and quality of life.

The post holder will be required to travel independently across West Essex as part of the role.

Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential

• HCPC Registered
• Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy

Desirable

• Evidence of post qualification study/ CPD relevant to role

Clinical Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Experience working with older adults with mental health and or cognitive impairment/ dementia
• Experiencing of providing evidence based interventions 1:1 and within group settings.
• Experience supervising qualified and/ or unqualified staff in a clinical setting.

Desirable

• Knowledge and experience of assessment and provision of adaptive equipment to support user independence and safety
• Experience as Fieldwork educator
• Experience contributing to quality improvement initiatives.

Personal Qualities
Essential

• Flexibility to visit patients in home environment and cover groups over a number of different sites.

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

Employer details
Employer name: Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Address: St Margaret's Hospital, The Plain, Epping, CM16 6TN, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://eput.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist
Karen Elliot
karen.elliott14@nhs.net