Job summary
An exciting fixed term/secondment (9 months) opportunity has arisen for a competent, confident and enthusiastic full time Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join our Learning Disability Community Team covering the York and Selby area and is located at Systems House in York.

Candidates must hold a minimum of 18 months post qualifying experience of occupational therapy delivery at the point of application.

As a Senior Occupational Therapist you will manage a complex caseload independently, assessing occupational performance and delivering robust specialist occupational assessment and interventions. You will demonstrate adherence to the Trust Values at all times and operate as a leader in the team, service and organisation.

We are looking for an OT who can work flexibly to meet service need and has the vision, energy and inspiration to develop creative, imaginative solutions to working with adults and their families/ carers within a range of community settings and service provision.

The postholder will implement a psychosocial model of care delivery to support individuals with a diagnosed learning disability and varying health needs including behaviours that challenge, complex physical health and mental health needs. The senior occupational therapist is a key member of the wider Multi-Disciplinary-Team and will work collectively with other professionals and stakeholders alongside promoting co-production with the individual and their support system.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for receiving referrals for Occupational Therapy, triaging and prioritising these, completing evidence-based assessments and interventions to address key occupational areas.

Ensure occupational therapy intervention is based on current risk assessment, evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and whole system support requirements, taking into account relevant physical, social, cultural, psychological, spiritual, genetic, and environmental factors.

Implementation of co-produced negotiated occupational goals and evaluation of these with service users and their families / carers collaboratively.

The postholder will also:

• Participate in clinical/professional and management supervision
• Contribute to multi-disciplinary team working
• Contribute to and lead on service improvement and quality initiatives
• Use the Trust electronic patient record system
• Abide by all Trust policies and procedures
• Be able to respond flexibly and creatively to challenges

About us
We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care - our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.

Details
Date posted: 19 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 9 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 346-NYL-017-26-A
Closing date: 01 November 2026

Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

The post holder will provide evidence-based assessment and interventions as part of the Community Learning Disability Team and offer input to individuals, their families and carers in the community.

All team members must be committed to providing the best possible care for the people we work with and their families/carers.

The ability to engage and communicate with adults with a diagnosed learning disability alongside their family/carers and support system is essential.

Clinical/Professional supervision is provided by the Learning Disability Lead OT for North Yorkshire and York. The postholder will attend the OT Learning and Governance Networks to ensure fidelity to core Occupational Therapy delivery, enhance CPD and contribute to the wider OT service developments.

You must be able to demonstrate experience of delivery of Occupational Therapy, keenness to continually develop themselves and others, and a particular interest in this field of OT. We will support use of transferable skills from a range of clinical settings.

There are varied opportunities for training and development, with CPD needs being identified and monitored through appraisal.

You must have the Right to Work in the UK in order to be successfully appointed to this role. Please note, as this is a fixed term role for less than 12 months, this role does not meet the required eligibility criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa and therefore the Trust is unable to offer sponsorship for this particular role.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Appropriate professional qualification for occupational therapy role
• Current relevant registration with specific regulatory body

Desirable

• Post graduate training in relevant specialist area

Experience
Essential

• Minimum of 18 months post qualifying experience of occupational therapy delivery (at the point of application)

Desirable

• Experience of supporting people with mental health issues, learning disability or autism
• Experience of working in Multi-disciplinary Team

Knowledge
Essential

• Understanding of the needs of people who use our services with mental health conditions or learning disabilities

Desirable

• Clinical risk assessment and application in practice
• Knowledge of evidence-based practice in designated specialist area
• Post graduate training in specialist area if applicable to post (e.g. dysphagia, autism diagnostics)
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of managing complex occupational therapy cases
• Awareness of professional standards and its application to practice

Skills
Essential

• Good observational skills and ability to describe such observations verbally and in writing
• Record keeping and report writing
• Collaborating with people who use our services and carers and their families in accordance with the principles of co-production
• Manage own complex caseload and prioritise effectively
• Support others to manage their caseload and prioritise effectively within a supervisor or educational relationship
• Effectively manage complex clinical and social issues
• Motivate and work positively and constructively with other members of the team
• Delegate tasks appropriately
• Apply latest research evidence and evaluative thinking in practice
• Provide effective teaching, training and clinical supervision
• Use appropriate digital technologies

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 details
Employer name: Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Systems House, Amy Johnson Way, York, YO30 4XT, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/

Contact: Claire Packer, Clinical Team Manager, Claire.packer1@nhs.net, 01904528300

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship are welcome. Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice applies.