Job summary
We are looking for a Senior Occupational Therapist to help develop the Daycare team in HMP Norwich. We are a small and friendly multi-professional team consisting of a Lead Therapist and a Psychotherapist who work alongside two Assistant Practitioners and a Senior Mental Health Nurse providing therapeutic input to prisoners at HMP Norwich.

We work with prisoners who self-harm, have suicidal thoughts, or may have attempted suicide. Many of these people experience high levels of anxiety and have a history of trauma or PTSD diagnosis. Many of the people accessing the service have an Assessment Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) document in place to support them. We offer therapeutic approaches in DBT and CBT as well as having an established trauma pathway, which includes emotional regulation work.

Main duties of the job
The team are looking for a Senior Occupational Therapist to support with the development of the Daycare pathways.

As a Senior Occupational Therapist, you will be expected to take on line management responsibilities for the assistants within the team, to lead on the running of therapeutic groups with a range of disciplines, to carry out joint assessments and to assist with writing formulations and discharge reports.

You will also be expected to work 1:1 with prisoners in delivering interventions. You will be invited to attend and contribute to ongoing referral meetings and to engage in regular clinical supervision to access support and continue developing your expertise.

We work closely with the NSFT Mental Health In Reach team, the IAPT/Wellbeing team and the wider and Secure and Forensic services. An important part of this role is to build links with the prison as well as ongoing support services. Some of this work will involve training the prison staff on therapeutic interventions as well as mental health conditions.

The Prison has an established educational service for prisoners, including access to vocational opportunities. However, Daycare staff need to also have an awareness of what community and/or third sector organisations are available to support either by in reaching into the Prison, and/or to support those coming towards the end of their sentences.

About us
Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.

Why work for us? We have ambitious aspirations, pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.

Why Norfolk and Suffolk? The people here are warm and welcoming, you'll never be far from the beautiful coastline or Broads National Park. We're an hour and a half away from London and have an international airport in Norwich too. Our villages, towns and cities are packed full of history, independent cafes, shops and theatres. We have excellent shopping, eating out, top ranking schooling and affordable house prices too.

Details
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year gross per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Closing date: 16 November 2026

Person Specification
Essential qualifications

• BSc/MSc or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
• Registered with HCPC

Desirable qualifications

• Practice Educator qualification.
• Relevant post graduate training courses
• Clinical supervisor course

Essential work experience

• Post registration experience in mental health
• Experience of MDT working
• Experience of working with groups of people
• Ability to work both independently and under supervision

Desirable work experience

• Experience working in a range of mental health settings
• Supervising students/staff.
• Previous line management experience.
• Familiarity of audit procedures.

Essential skills

• Able to demonstrate use of standardised Occupational Therapy assessments

Desirable skills

• Experience in sensory integration / modulation

Essential knowledge

• Supervisory/appraisal skills
• Working knowledge of Mental Health Act 1983 and any updates
• Specialist knowledge and application of Occupational Therapy Assessments and interventions relevant to this client group
• Understanding of the principles and application of the recovery model and social inclusion
• Good verbal and written communication skills. Demonstrate reflective practice

Desirable knowledge

• Knowledge of current legislation including risk assessment and CPA
• Up to date with latest evidence-based research for specialist area
• Knowledge of principles and application of Clinical Governance.

Essential other

• Willingness to work flexibly. Understanding of team dynamics.
• Commitment to professional development and lifelong learning.
• Fitness to undergo PMA training and perform full duties of post.
• Ability to undertake Manual Handling Training and utilise these skills in clinical practice.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

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

Employer details
Employer name: Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
Address: HMP Norwich, Knox Road, Norwich, NR1 4LU, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

Contact for questions about the job
Lead Therapist: Anna Brunton, anna.brunton@nsft.nhs.uk, 01603708809

Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust's privacy notice is available on their website.