Job summary
We are seeking to recruit a passionate, knowledgeable and dynamic Principal Occupational Therapist (OT) as the professional and clinical lead for Occupational Therapy across adult mental health, community services in East Sussex. This is a senior leadership role, providing strategic direction, clinical expertise, and professional governance for OT practice across East Sussex community, including our neurodevelopmental workers in the Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams.

The post includes direct and indirect clinical contributions within the Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams, as well as the opportunity to shape, champion and embed OT practice; ensuring it is visible, valued and integral to the delivery of compassionate, effective mental health care.

You will play a key role in shaping service development, influencing multidisciplinary practice, and embedding occupational perspectives into assessment, care planning, risk management and community intervention for adults with complex mental health needs. The role also contributes to policy development, workforce planning, quality improvement initiatives and service transformation.

You will work closely with other professions within Sussex Partnership, social care and our third sector partners. You will be committed to delivering high-quality, responsive and inclusive services in partnership with families, carers and experts by experience.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide professional and clinical leadership for Occupational Therapy across adult community mental health services in East Sussex, with responsibility for coordinating and developing Occupational Therapy pathways. This includes professional management, leadership and supervision of the Occupational Therapy workforce, and ensuring services are high-quality, effective and compliant with professional, national and local standards.

The post holder will play a key role in professional governance, contributing to the development, implementation and monitoring of the governance agenda, and ensuring a strong Occupational Therapy contribution to quality clinical care, service performance and continuous improvement across Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams.

In addition to leadership responsibilities, the role incorporates a clinical component, supporting complex OT assessments and interventions with adults who have mental health needs in our communities, consultation and support to families and carers, and specialist advice and consultation to multidisciplinary and multi-agency teams. This clinical contribution ensures the Principal Occupational Therapist maintains direct involvement in service delivery, supports best practice, and informs strategic and professional leadership.

About us
SPFT provides mental health and learning disability care for children, young people and adults across Sussex.

This is an excellent time for Occupational Therapists to be joining SPFT as our community services continue to go through an exciting transformation. There is a robust AHP workforce and strategy and we can offer the following to you:

• Regular professional supervision
• The opportunity to participate in a range of quality improvement work and service innovations.
• Access to a wide range of training and CPD opportunities including
• A programme of AHP specific training
• Quarterly Occupational Therapy CPD Hubs
• Communities of Practice (AMPS, Sensory Strategies, Recovery through activity)

For more information around being an AHP within SPFT please visit Allied Health Professions :: Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Details
Date posted: 03 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year pa / pro rata for part time
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 354-AE-21379
Closing date: 17 November 2026

Qualifications
Essential

• Degree/Diploma in occupational therapy
• Registration with the HCPC as an occupational therapist
• Practice Education training
• Training in the use of standardised occupational therapy assessment tools

Desirable

• Evidence of master level post qualification study

Knowledge/Experience
Essential

• Extensive experience as a qualified occupational therapist in mental health
• Experience of both group and individual work
• Experience of multidisciplinary working
• Experience of supervising staff and students
• Experience as a Lead Practitioner
• Experience in a clinical area related to the post

Desirable

• Interest/experience in research

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.

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

Employer contact details
Professional AHP Lead East Sussex Division, Teresa Blunt, teresa.blunt@nhs.net, 07920247716

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