Job summary
Join an exciting new service that launched on 1 September 2026 and help shape the future of care closer to home.

We are looking for an enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to join our new countywide Home First service. This is an exciting opportunity to work within an innovative multidisciplinary team supporting people to recover, regain independence and remain safely in their own homes following hospital discharge.

Working across acute, community and home settings, you will provide timely assessment, rehabilitation and intervention for adults with a range of physical, functional and rehabilitation needs. You will play a key role in supporting safe discharge planning, admission avoidance and preventing unnecessary hospital readmissions, whilst working closely with health, social care and voluntary sector partners.

This role offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic and supportive environment where you can develop your clinical skills, influence patient outcomes and contribute to the successful delivery of a new integrated service designed to improve patient flow and independence across Gloucestershire. This position is available for West Gloucestershire, based in Gloucester.

This role will be part of a rota working weekends and also in-reaching to our acute hospitals to improve patient transitions from hospital to home.

Main duties of the job
As a member of the Home First team, you will assess, plan, deliver and evaluate rehabilitation and therapy interventions for adults within acute, community and home settings, supporting individuals to maximise independence and achieve their goals.

You will manage a varied clinical caseload, undertaking holistic assessments, risk assessments and treatment planning for people with a range of physical, neurological, orthopaedic, medical and rehabilitation needs. Working autonomously and alongside the multidisciplinary team, you will support safe and timely discharge planning, admission avoidance and the prevention of unnecessary hospital readmissions.

The role involves providing rehabilitation, equipment assessment, advice and education to patients, carers and partner organisations, whilst ensuring accurate clinical records and outcome measures are maintained.

You will contribute to clinical governance, quality improvement, audit and service development activities, whilst maintaining high professional standards and evidence-based practice. The post holder will also support and supervise therapy assistants, students and other learners as appropriate, contributing to workforce development and the delivery of high-quality patient-centred care.

The successful candidate will be flexible, proactive and committed to helping people remain independent within their own homes while working within a fast-paced, developing service operating across a 7-day model.

About us
We have a skilled and dedicated workforce of over 5000 colleagues working in a diverse range of services over 55 sites and within people's homes. We strive to enable a welcoming workplace culture that builds and celebrates civility, inclusivity and diversity, while providing a sense of belonging and trust.

• 72% of colleagues would recommend the Trust as a place to work, ranking us 1st for Provider Trusts in the South West region on this question.
• 76% would recommend the standard of care provided in our services if a friend or relative needed treatment, also ranking us 1st in the South West region.
• 81% said that care of patients and service users is the Trust's priority, compared with an average in comparable NHS Trusts in England of 64%.

Details
Date posted: 14 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 327-26-653-C
Job locations: Gloucester ICT, Collingwood House, Gloucester, GL1 3PX, United Kingdom

Essential qualifications

• HCPC Registration as an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist.
• Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy.

Desirable qualifications

• Membership of relevant professional body (e.g. CSP).
• Moving and Handling training.

Essential skills and experience

• Experience undertaking therapy assessments, rehabilitation and interventions.
• Experience working within community, acute or rehabilitation settings.
• Knowledge of discharge planning, rehabilitation and admission avoidance.
• Experience working independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience supervising, supporting or developing support staff and students.

Desirable skills and experience

• Experience working as a registered practitioner for 18 months or more.
• Experience of Home First, frailty or community rehabilitation services.

Essential personal attributes

• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
• Ability to use initiative and work autonomously.
• Ability to participate in weekend and bank holiday working.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Desirable personal attributes

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

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.

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

Employer details
Employer name: Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Gloucester ICT, Collingwood House, Gloucester, GL1 3PX, United Kingdom

For questions about the job, contact:
Community Manager, Melanie Richmond, melanie.richmond2@nhs.net, 07989350211

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust is part of the NHS. We treat NHS patients according to NHS principles and standards.