Closing date: 16 August 2026

Job summary
This role is advertised as a Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist. However consideration will be given to a Band 5 with the stipulation that the individual will be employed as a Band 5 for a period of time until the individual has achieved the agreed competencies. The competencies are based on agenda for change and ensure that the individual demonstrates the required knowledge and experience for the role. Once the agree competencies have been achieved the automatic pay progression will be applied and they will move to the agreed banding (as per job description).

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust is the health provider for the delivery of an Integrated Mental Health Team (IMHT) at HMP Altcourse. The service is designed to support the holistic mental health needs of our client group in partnership with our Physical Health providers and Sodexo colleagues.

The service provides individual and group-based interventions based on the needs of the population. Core aims of the service are to improve mental and psychological wellbeing via a range of interventions, build the development of independent core skills, reduce risk, and advocate for mental health within the wider prison.

Main duties of the job
We are now recruiting an Occupational Therapist to join our team at HMP Altcourse. The post holder will have clinical responsibilities via the provision of OT assessment, individual and group based therapeutic interventions based on the needs of the individual.

This will cover the array of clinical work that would promote occupational, psychological, recreational and supportive activity to meet the holistic needs of the individual. The post holder will also contribute to regular MDT meetings and be involved in the assessment and management of risk.

The post holder should have some experience of working with individuals with complex clinical and risk presentations including within institutional settings and as part of a multi-disciplinary team. This should include work with clients whose needs may mean that they find it difficult to engage with services.

Experience of working in complex service and organisational settings is required alongside an ability to constructively manage the personal, professional and ethical opportunities and challenges such work can involve.

Within the IMHT's, we prioritise the development of our staff team and have proven that we value and nurture diverse clinical interests. We are committed to creating an empowered staff team. We strive to be reflective and supportive of each other which is vital given the challenges this work can entail.

About us
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region and are also commissioned for services that cover the North West, North Wales and the Midlands.

We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.

At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We're currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.

Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.

Details
Date posted: 31 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £48,117 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 350-SC8142237
Job locations: HMP Altcourse, Brookfield Drive, Fazakerley, Liverpool, L9 7LH

Job responsibilities
To utilise developed specialist knowledge to provide the professional contribution within designated Occupational Therapy Services and to assist in the organisation, development, co-ordination and evaluation of the Occupational Therapy Service in conjunction with the Clinical Principle Occupational Therapist and relevant Team/ServiceManager.

The post holder will contribute to an environment that works with local services to provide evidence based assessment and delivery of care, using relevant models of Occupational Therapy, and within the context of Effective Care Coordination. They will continue with their own professional development and assist with that of other OT staff.

They will be required to have a flexible approach to working hours to ensure that the needs of their clients are met.

Duties and responsibilities:Clinical Shared Team

• Work in a professional and collaborative manner with the multi-disciplinary team.
• Where required, to be involved in the multidisciplinary team duty system and undertake duty assessments, as necessary.
• Fulfil the care-coordinator role under ECC framework, including planning and coordinating Case Conferences/Reviews.
• Ensure intervention is provided in a range of settings suitable to meet the needs of clients.
• Provide information, education and support for family members, carers and other relevant professionals.
• Participate and promote positive intra-agency working.
• Participate in case load supervision to monitor the standards of service user care and ensure record keeping is in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.
• Participate in regular clinical supervision with Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist, as per Trust policy.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of integrated care pathways, including appropriate service user assessments/referrals and models of care.
• Contribute to client related developments and therapeutic interventions carried out by the whole team e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy, psycho-social interventions.
• Compile and maintain effective client records and record outcome measures in conjunction with clients and in accordance with Professional and Trust policies, procedures and standards.
• Participate in the induction, training or education of a variety of staff, students or volunteers attached to the team/service.

Clinical Occupational Therapy Specific:

• Undertake occupational therapy assessments, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits in areas of self-care, productivity and leisure.
• Plan and implement individual and/or group interventions, using selected and graded activity to develop the clients skills in identified areas of deficit.
• Undertake occupational therapy assessments, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits in areas of self-care, productivity and leisure.
• Plan and implement individual and/or group interventions, using selected and graded activity to develop the clients skills in identified areas of deficit.

Managerial / Professional Leadership:

• Assist in the organisation and planning of OT service delivery e.g. OT recruitment panels, ensuring OT staff/service cover.
• Provide professional advice as required, for performance management of OT staff e.g. competency monitoring.
• Participate in Serious Untoward Incident investigations/reviews as required.
• Deputise for the Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist, as required.
• Contribute to the writing and implementation of practice guidelines, policies and procedures, and use specialist knowledge to propose service changes.
• Contribute to staff participation in the formulation of new ideas/suggestions to improve service user care and service delivery.
• Ensure the principles of Clinical Governance are incorporated in service delivery by maintaining a High-quality service based on agreed clinical standards.
• Contribute to the strategic development of the OT services.Manage and prioritise designated occupational therapy referrals according to need, risk and service capacity.
• Provide specialist professional/clinical leadership to occupational therapists and support staff.
• Liaise with and develop effective working links with the wider multi-disciplinary team. Attend professional meetings as required.
• Maintain an effective supervision structure, and provide professional supervision for designated OT staff, addressing clinical, personal and professional issues.
• Assist in the induction of OT staff to the service.
• Participate in the performance monitoring of services in accordance with national and local targets.
• Provide statistical information on workforce and service user activity as required.
• Be responsible for the care, maintenance and monitoring of equipment used by clients and bring any defects or deficits to the attention of the appropriate authority. E.g. ADL equipment.
• Ensure requirements for health and safety and safe working practice are met through formal and regular risk assessments and communications as required. E.g. Cascade of HSA alerts.
• Assist in the maintenance and updating of the units equipment inventories and service schedules. Ensure regular servicing, maintenance, repair or replacement as required adhering to Health & Safety, COSHH and Medical Devices Agencyregulations.

This job description provides an outline of general activities and is notexhaustive. It will be reviewed as the Trusts needs change, in consultation with the post holder19/06/2024

Please refer to both Band 6 and Band 5 job descriptions and person specifications for more details.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registered OT with the Health Professions Council
• Occupational Therapy Diploma / Degree (BSc/MSc)
• Enhanced CRB disclosure

Desirable

• Membership of professional Body

Experience
Essential

• Experience of relevant Occupational Therapy functional assessment
• Experience of successful team working
• Experience of liaison with internal and external services and agencies

Desirable

• Experience of serviced development audit and research practice relevant to the clinical area
• Experience of planning and facilitating therapeutic groups for patients / clients
• Experience of service Development
• Experience of being involved in clinical audit and/or research
• Experience of being involved in clinical audit and/or research

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge and ability to express an understanding of the Occupational Therapy process including formulation of intervention plans grounded in clinical reasoning
• General knowledge of the principles of clinical governance
• Have an understanding of clinical and environmental risk assessment
• Evidence of CPD/Short courses

Desirable

• Familiar with Electronic Patient Records
• Management and clinical leadership
• A basic understanding of Relevant legislation including The Mental Capacity Act

Skills
Essential

• Up to date knowledge and application of current best practice in relevant area of practice
• Application of therapeutic Outcome measures and Models of practice
• Application of the process of standard setting, audit, evaluation and review
• A sound knowledge of the core Occupational Therapy skills and their application in this field
• Be able to communicate effectively with service users within the specific client group
• Have good listening skills
• Demonstrates a good knowledge of the Health and Care Profession Councils standards of Proficiency and the therapeutic responsibility to identify gaps in their knowledge base
• Demonstrate knowledge of the concepts of mentorship, and supervision
• Evidence of active participation in supervision and the appraisal process
• Experience of group and individual interventions with the specific client group
• Experience working in a collaborative way with the MDT and service users/carers
• Good time management skills
• Apply and promote therapeutic skills, to include carrying out assessments, setting clear reablement goals and facilitating a wide variety of therapeutic interventions.
• Able to apply Person Centred Approaches
• Apply clinical skills and able to reflect on own and others practice
• Excellent range of communication skills, able to motivate and support other staff.
• Self-management and motivation skills
• Risk assessment skills.
• IT literate
• Ability to travel across boundaries.
• Awareness of factors contributing to good health and the importance of promoting these in line with organisational public health policy
• Understanding of partnership working
• Awareness of local agenda in health and social care

Desirable

• Demonstrate leadership skills to be able to initiate, monitor and implement change and fully participate in the development of service delivery.
• Apply Professional skills to enable MDT working partnerships and liaise with external agencies

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
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
HMP Altcourse, Brookfield Drive, Fazakerley, Liverpool, L9 7LH
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Lead Occupational Therapist
Bridget Draisey
bridget.draisey@merseycare.nhs.uk
01515222057