Job summaryStep Into a Role Where You Can Shape the Future of Forensic Occupational TherapyAre you an Occupational Therapist who thrives on creativity, autonomy, and meaningful clinical challenge?Do you want the opportunity to help shape and develop occupational therapy within a growing forensic community service?
This is not a traditional Band 6 role.This is an opportunity to help build and lead the occupational therapy contribution within our Forensic Outreach and Liaison Service, supporting individuals with complex mental health needs and forensic histories as they transition from secure inpatient settings into community life.
We are looking for an innovative, motivated, and compassionate Occupational Therapist who can think analytically, work creatively within a multidisciplinary team, and help develop a service that truly bridges secure care and community recovery.
Working alongside our inpatient secure unit AHP teams and the wider FOLS MDT, you will play a vital role in creating patient-focused intervention pathways that support sustainable discharge, meaningful recovery, and successful reintegration into the community.
If you are looking for a role where you can innovate, influence, and make a meaningful difference every day, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today and help shape the future of forensic occupational therapy within community services.
Main duties of the jobThis is an exciting opportunity to support individuals at a crucial stage of their recovery journey and help build a service that truly connects inpatient rehabilitation with successful community living.
This role offers a rare opportunity to work from a "blank canvas" and help shape the future direction of occupational therapy within forensic outreach services.
As a Band 6 Occupational Therapist within FOLS, you will:
- Develop and strengthen the OT contribution within FOLS
- Help design innovative and occupation-focused pathways of care
- Work collaboratively across inpatient and community services to support continuity of rehabilitation
- Support service users to build the practical, functional, and social skills needed for successful community living
- Influence MDT thinking through occupational formulation and functional assessment
- Contribute to service development, quality improvement, and innovation within forensic mental health services
This role requires someone who is comfortable working with complexity, ambiguity, and evolving service models, whilst maintaining a strong focus on compassionate, person-centred care.
The post holder must hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car/vehicle to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010)About usWe are Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We care for the mental health and wellbeing of people across Kent and Medway and are rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Our teams support children, young people and adults with a wide range of mental health needs. We also provide specialist services, including all-age eating disorder services and neurodevelopmental assessments for children and young people, such as autism and ADHD.
Because we work across the whole county and across hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the people we serve.
Our vision is simple: we are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. It's why we're passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. Everything we do is guided by our values: caring, inclusive, curious and confident.
Join us if you share our passion for better mental health care and want to be part of a team that's working well together.
DetailsDate posted: 12 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
per annum pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 380-FR0707
Job locations: Forensic Outreach Liaison Service, Trevor Gibbens Unit, Hermitage Lane, Maidstone, ME16 9PL, United Kingdom
Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesPlease refer to the attached job description for full details and main responsibilities of the role.
What Youll Be DoingDeliver specialist occupational therapy assessments and interventions for individuals with complex forensic and mental health needs Work closely with inpatient secure unit AHPs to create joined-up rehabilitation and discharge plans that support continuity of care from secure services into the community Support service users to develop the practical, functional, and social skills needed for successful and sustainable community living Deliver interventions focused on:
- Functional daily living skills
- Community integration and social inclusion
- Digital literacy and safe use of technology
- Financial literacy and budgeting skills
- Vocational, educational, and meaningful activity engagement
- Development of healthy routines and wellbeing strategies
Use analytical thinking and occupational formulation to identify strengths, barriers, risks, and opportunities for recovery Work collaboratively within the FOLS multidisciplinary team to support positive risk management and person-centred rehabilitation Develop therapeutic relationships with individuals who may present with highly complex needs, trauma histories, and significant occupational disruption Contribute to service development and help shape the future occupational therapy model within the team
Who Were Looking ForWe are looking for an Occupational Therapist who is: Innovative, reflective, and motivated by service development Confident working autonomously whilst remaining highly collaborative within an MDT Passionate about rehabilitation, recovery, and social inclusion Skilled in building therapeutic relationships within complex environments Curious, analytical, and able to think creatively around occupational need Resilient, compassionate, and adaptable
You must: Hold a recognised Occupational Therapy qualification Be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Have post-registration experience within mental health, rehabilitation, forensic, or community services
Previous forensic experience is welcomed but not essential. We value transferable skills, fresh thinking, and a willingness to help shape a developing service.
In return, we offer: The opportunity to help shape and influence a developing forensic occupational therapy pathway Specialist experience within forensic mental health services The opportunity to be part of a growing and diverse AHP workforce within forensic mental health services Strong multidisciplinary support and clinical supervision Opportunities for leadership, innovation, and quality improvement work Ongoing CPD and professional development opportunities A supportive, forward-thinking, and collaborative team culture NHS pension and staff wellbeing benefits Flexible working opportunities where service needs allow
Help Shape Recovery Beyond Secure Care.
Person SpecificationQualifications and RegistrationsEssential- HCPC registered Occupational Therapist with recognised Occupational Therapy Qualification
ExperienceEssential- Experience of occupational therapy clinical practice across a range of settings relevant to mental health, rehabilitation, community, or forensic services
- Experience of managing a defined caseload of service users with complex occupational needs using evidence-based, recovery-focused, and person-centred approaches
- Experience of supporting service users to develop independence, functional skills, and community integration
- Experience of working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
Desirable- Experience of delivering interventions relating to functional living skills, vocational rehabilitation, digital literacy, social inclusion, or recovery-focused community rehabilitation
Knowledge and SkillsEssential- Knowledge of recovery-focused, trauma-informed, and person-centred approaches to care
- Creative and solution-focused approach to rehabilitation and occupational intervention
Desirable- Knowledge of occupational approaches supporting community reintegration, independent living, social inclusion, and relapse prevention
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer detailsEmployer name: Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust
Address: Forensic Outreach Liaison Service, Trevor Gibbens Unit, Hermitage Lane, Maidstone, ME16 9PL, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.kentmedwaymentalhealth.nhs.uk
Employer contact detailsFor questions about the job, contact: Deputy Head of AHPs, Claire Casarotto or Susan Miller, clairecasarotto@nhs.net, 01622723100
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.Applicants must have current UK professional registration. 
