Job summary
We are seeking an enthuastic and experienced senior occupational therapist to join our newly commissioned CYP ARFID service. The post holder will work exclusively within the new ARFID pathway however have strong links with NELFTs establised core CYP community eating disorder service. This is an exciting opportunity to not only to be part of a newly commissioned service but to be instrumental in establishing the team as a centre of excellence for this client group. We at NELFT are excited to welcome a senior occupational therapist to this specialist MDT.

Main duties of the job
Deliver expert OT assessment and intervention.
To provide specialist advice to CYP with ARFID and suppprt their care givers
Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to support service delivery.
Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with Trust policies.
Participate in team meetings and contribute to service improvement initiatives.

About us
NELFT NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health and community services for over 4.9 million people living in the London Boroughs of Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, and across Essex.

We work to ensure our patients, their friends and family, feel confident that their health needs are well met. With an excellent reputation for research and development, our skilled health professionals are at the cutting edge of evidence-based innovation, opening up the possibilities for better ways of working and delivery of care.

Job responsibilities
Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Provide a high standard occupational therapist service to NELFT CYP ARFID service to children and young people referred to NELFTs CYP community eating disorder service ARFID pathway
• The post holder will be responsible for a defined caseload, working autonomously with access to supervision and MDT support
• The post holder will provide functional assessment of children and young people with ARFID and deliver individualised intervention aimed at maximising function with the support and in consultation with MDT
• The post holder will contribute to planning , coordinating and evaluating the occupational therapy input to CYP ARFID team.

The post holder will be responsible for managing their own workload, prioritising tasks effectively, and ensuring deadlines are met. They will be expected to work independently as well as part of a team, demonstrating flexibility and a commitment to high standards. The role may involve working across multiple sites and requires excellent communication and organisational skills.

Working for Us Joining #TeamNELFT means you’ll become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We’re CQC rated Good, and we want you to join us on the journey towards an Outstanding rating. NELFT has sites across North East London and Essex. We provide community and mental healthcare services to adults and children within these areas.

The Trust has award-winning equality and diversity initiatives, along with staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest significantly in your development because when you feel valued and supported, we can deliver the highest quality care to our patients. We are a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, have been recognised in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for five consecutive years, and hold a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation. Through our staff networks and training opportunities, we strive to foster a just and compassionate culture at NELFT.

Our Values 2025 - 2030 Working with our colleagues, patients and carers we have co-produced three new values that we aim to embed within our culture here at NELFT. They are:

• We are kind.
• We are respectful.
• We work together with our communities.

These three values help us to strive to provide the best care by the best people.

Starting with NELFT NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers, and attend a number of drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Goodmayes Hospital.

Probationary Period This post will be subject to a probationary period.

High Cost Area Supplement – Outer London (B&D, Redbridge, Havering and Waltham Forest, Goodmayes ) This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,870 to a maximum of £6,137 p.a. pro rata for part time).

Certificates of Sponsorship Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points-based system. When calculating the basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS (High-Cost Area Supplement) is not included to ensure fairness and consistency within our Trust.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer to this when completing your application.

We welcome your application even if you do not meet all the criteria listed in the person specification. Please apply as soon as possible as some posts close early to limit the number of applications.

For an informal chat or to arrange a visit, please contact:
Name: Rory Harnett
Job title: Service and Strategic Lead
Contact Number: 0300 555 1216
Email: Rory.harnett1@nhs.net

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Member of the Health Care Professionals Council
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development

Desirable

• Member of British Association of Occupational Therapy

Experience
Essential

• 3 years post registration experience as an Occupational Therapist
• Minimum 2 years post registration experience in paediatric OT
• Experience of working in an MDT
• Supervisory and appraisal skills of junior staff, including students and support staff.

Desirable

• Audit/research experience

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.

Employer details
Employer name
NELFT North East London Foundation Trust
Address
Orchard Health Centre
Barking
Greater London
IG11 7RS
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Service and Strategic Lead
Rory Harnett
Rory.harnett1@nhs.net

Details
Date posted
23 September 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
£49,387 to £56,515 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
OHC-3LCY-002107
Job locations
Orchard Health Centre
Barking
Greater London
IG11 7RS
United Kingdom
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