Senior Occupational Therapist
Company: Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Job ID: C9351-26-1266
The closing date is 17 November 2026

Job summary
We are excited to announce a full-time post has arisen for an experienced and dynamic senior Occupational Therapist (Band 6) to join our South Ribble Community Mental Health Team.

The unique role of occupational therapy is highly valued within the teams, and you will have a predominantly occupational therapy specific workload. This will include providing specialist occupational therapy assessment, formulation and intervention to those with complex occupational, functional or vocational needs.

The roles will also involve the provision of support and advice to the multi-disciplinary team through consultancy, to ensure service users' occupational needs are considered and met. Additionally, there will be some expectation of generic working, where appropriate.

The post does require supervisory skills to support the Band 5 OT rotational post.

We are looking to recruit occupational therapists that have a keen interest and passion for occupational therapy in mental health, with substantial post-registration experience in OT and in a relevant mental health setting. You will have excellent communication skills, sound clinical reasoning and a strong understanding of the occupational therapy role within recovery.

The successful candidates will receive regular supervision, access to CPD opportunities and be part of a supportive occupational therapy network. Additionally, there will be the potential to assist with service developments, including an evolving OT group-work project.

Main duties of the job
Having substantial experience, specialist interest, and expertise in mental health occupational therapy, the postholder will use their deep understanding of the relationship between occupation and mental health to provide occupational therapy in order to maintain, restore or create a match beneficial to the individual between the abilities of the person, the demands of her/his occupations in the areas of self-care, productivity and leisure and the demands of the environment. (adapted from Creek 2003).

The postholder will deliver a range of group and/or individual interventions drawn from relevant frames of reference, demonstrating sophisticated clinical reasoning skills. They will prioritise planning and delivering interventions for people whose mental health problems have a marked impact on their occupational functioning and who have complex occupational needs. This senior position requires achieving an appropriate balance between the provision of specialist occupational therapy and taking on shared roles that contribute to the efficient functioning of the team.

As an emergent leader and skillful communicator, the postholder will liaise and negotiate across service boundaries and in varied settings.

We welcome informal enquiries, so for further information please contact us using the details provided.

Essential Qualifications

• Diploma/BSC (Hons) in Occupational Therapy (OT)
• State registered with Health Professionals Council.
• Post Graduate training relevant to mental health work in appropriate speciality

Essential Knowledge

• Detailed knowledge of how mental health problems impact on occupational performance and how occupational therapy theory informs practice within community mental health settings
• Knowledge of current best practice in mental health, and awareness of relevant government directives and legislation
• Specialist knowledge and application of OT assessments and interventions using expert level clinical reasoning.

Essential Experience

• Substantial post registration experience in OT and in a mental health setting, including experience in relevant specialist area)
• Familiarity with audit processes
• Extensive clinical experiences including individual and group work in mental health specialties

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.

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

Employer details
Employer name: Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Pathways Resource Centre, Preston, PR5 6GD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/

Contact
For questions about the job, contact: Team Manager David Gardner, David.Gardner@lscft.nhs.uk

Date posted: 04 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 351-CEN2700-EB

LSCFT values diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation. LSCFT supports flexible working.