Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Occupational Therapist
The closing date is 24 November 2026
Job summary
We are seeking an experienced Senior Occupational Therapist to cover maternity leave, to join our dynamic crisis outreach acute support team (COAST) in supporting young people experiencing acute mental health difficulties.

As a Senior Occupational Therapist you will offer the opportunity to provide occupational therapy interventions for referred clients using evidence based, client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions. To promote and develop the role of Occupational Therapy within the clinical area. To act as a care coordinator if appropriate. Working collaboratively with families, education providers, and multidisciplinary colleagues, you will make a meaningful difference at a critical point in a young person's journey and hope while supporting safe alternatives to hospital admission.

Main duties of the job
Operate as a senior occupational therapy practitioner and manage an appropriate complex clinical caseload.To check JD.

About us
SPFT provides mental health and learning disability care for children, young people and adults across Sussex. The trust is rated as 'good' overall and 'outstanding' for caring by the CQC.

SPFT encourage flexible working. We know that a positive work/life balance brings about huge health related benefits, which has a positive impact on the care we provide. Please speak to us about flexible working, for example, flexible start/finish times. If it works for you and works for the role, we'll do our best to make it happen.

You will receive supervision from the CAMHS Occupational Therapy professional lead within the wider CAMHS services and have opportunities to network with Occupational Therapists across Child and Adolescent Mental Health services in Sussex.

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation
This is an excellent time for Occupational Therapists to be joining Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust as we have launched our first AHP Strategy and 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 (Recovery through Activity and Sensory Strategies)

Have a look at our AHP strategy and view our film at https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/AHP

Details
Date posted: 12 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 354-CS-21979-A
Job locations: Chalkhill, Chalkhill - on the premises of Princess Royal Hospital Site Lewes Road, Haywards Heath West Sussex, RH16 4NQ, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

• Registered with HCPC
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced and varied role
• Able to communicate effectively in complex and challenging circumstances to support professional decision making
• Adaptable, organised, compassionate and a team player
• Experienced working in a multi-disciplinary children and young person's environment
• Experienced working with families who are facing tough times and have a particular affinity for working with young people.

It would also be advantageous if you have your own car as the role will involve direct work with young people and their families in their homes and communities across Sussex.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the role.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Degree/Diploma in occupational therapy
• Evidence of post graduate level study/training
• Registration with the HPC as an occupational therapist
• Practice Education training
• Training in the use of standardised occupational therapy assessment tools

Knowledge/Experience
Essential

• Experience as a qualified occupational therapist in mental health
• Broad experience of working with clients with a range of mental health problems
• Experience of both group and individual work
• Experience of multidisciplinary working
• Experience of supervising staff and students
• Experience as a Care Coordinator
• Experience in a clinical area related to the post
• Experience in applying a range of assessment tools and a comprehensive knowledge of occupational therapy clinical approaches used in mental health

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 on the Criminal records checks for overseas applicants page.

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

Employer details
Employer name: Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Chalkhill, Chalkhill - on the premises of Princess Royal Hospital Site Lewes Road, Haywards Heath West Sussex, RH16 4NQ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Lead OT for COAST, Nicola Twilley, spft.coast@nhs.net, 07471034148

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