Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Occupational Therapy Associate Practitioner in W&S CLDT
The closing date is 22 November 2026
Job summary
The LYPFT Learning Disability service provides multi professional, specialist health services for people over the age of 18 with a learning disability across community settings, respite and the intensive support team. The service works in partnership with key stakeholders including service users and carers, adult social care, third sector and private providers to deliver health care for people with highly complex health needs that may include; behaviours that challenge services, sensory needs, communication needs, mental health and/or dual diagnosis and complex multiple impairment / physical health needs.

We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic Occupational Therapy Associate Practitioner who is passionate about working with people who have a Learning Disability to join the Community Learning Disability Team to cover 12 months maternity leave.

You will work with the established Occupational Therapy Team to provide Occupational Therapy input to service users and carers in relation to engagement work, functional skills, sensory needs and supporting people with complex physical needs.
Main duties of the job
You will be a valued member of our highly supportive multi-disciplinary, community learning disability service and AHP community. You will manage an identified caseload of clients with a range of clinical need including sensory, engagement, functional skills and specialist equipment. You will provide a range of occupational therapy interventions to adults with a range of complex health needs and a learning disability, working closely with health and social care partners.

You will...

• work alongside occupational therapists and sensory integration practitioners to support and develop occupational therapy provision within community services.
• manage own caseload under the supervision of the registered occupational therapist, in a variety of community settings including the service user's own home.
• provide a range of occupational therapy support and interventions to adults with a range of complex health needs and a learning disability.
• provide occupational therapy support to staff/carers to help service users achieve identified goals and promote independence and wellbeing.
• promote a positive image of service users with complex health needs and a learning disability at all times.
• promote a positive image of the occupational therapy and community services of Leeds and York Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust at all times.

About us
The Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT) is the main provider of Mental Health and Learning Disability services in Leeds. We also provide specialist inpatient services in York and some highly specialised services across the country. As a teaching trust with strong links to local universities, we are a centre of excellence for teaching, research and development.

There are many benefits of working for LYPFT including fantastic employee wellbeing support, 27 - 33 days annual leave, flexible working and remote working arrangements, the NHS Pension Scheme, coaching, support and opportunities for career development and training and education support alongside a range of exclusive discounts and payment schemes including for cars, extra leave days and more NHS Discount Offers.

We also have a bank department, offering variety of roles in nursing, allied health professions, healthcare support worker and administration clerical. Permanent employees are automatically added to bank.

Applicants should be aware that individuals requiring a visa to work in the UK, the Trust only provides sponsorship for registered healthcare practitioner roles (this does not include Healthcare Support Workers). This is an essential requirement, and the Trust is unable to offer you a role if you do not meet Trust requirements for sponsorship and Home Office requirements for a visa.
Details
Date posted 10 November 2026
Pay scheme Agenda for change
Band Band 4
Salary £28,392 to £31,157 a year
Per Annum
Contract Fixed term
Duration 12 months
Working pattern Full-time
Reference number 173-58526-LDS
Job locations St Marys Hospital, Leeds, LS12 3QE, United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
We recruit people based on their values and qualifications (where required) and believe that their lived experience is an advantage, this means that together we are as diverse as the communities we care for. Simply put, when we employ caring people who act with integrity and have the right skills, we can give those with mental health challenges, learning disabilities and neurodiversity high-quality care and support to live fulfilling lives, and make our staff feel purposeful, happy and valued.

All our information is available in accessible formats. Please contact the Recruitment team recruitment.lypft@nhs.net Attached to this advert is our candidates guide to values-based recruitment and supporting guidance on how to make a successful application.

If you require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Recruitment Team or see the attached candidate guide to reasonable adjustments.

Occupational Therapy is an integral part of our multi-disciplinary team which also includes Dietitians, Nurses, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Health Support Workers. The Community Learning Disability team works across the West and South area of Leeds supporting people with a learning disability who have specialist health needs which cannot be met in a mainstream service.

You will be offered supervision from within the Occupational Therapy Team, receive regular training and development opportunities including training in hydrotherapy, rebound therapy and positive behavioural support. You will also be able to access peer support from Occupational Therapy Support staff across the Trust.

The successful candidates post operates from St Marys Hospital and line managed from within the West and South CLDT. The service runs Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. The candidate must be a driver with access to a vehicle for community visits.

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you'll need, look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading.

So that you're even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, you'll need to take time to read the Candidate Guide to Values Based Recruitment. This document provides you with information to help you apply.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential: Foundation degree in healthcare or other relevant qualification.
Experience Essential: Has experience of working with people with a learning disability and/or mental health.
Skills Essential: Must be a driver with access to a vehicle for community visits. Interest in working with people with a learning disability
Knowledge Essential: Evidence of a range of knowledge of the role of occupational therapy.
Values Desirable: Tell us about a time when you spotted something small going wrong and did something to stop it becoming a bigger issue. Tell us about a time when you realised a colleague or someone you know needed a bit of support and you offered to help. Tell us about a time when you showed someone kindness or understanding.
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 Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address St Marys Hospital, Leeds, LS12 3QE, United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.leedsandyorkpft.nhs.uk/
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Katie Hemingway, Katie.hemingway@nhs.net, 07890308049
Supporting documents
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