About this role
Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic, passionate and motivated individual to join our Occupational Therapy Rehabilitation and Relapse Prevention team as a Senior Therapy Assistant within a developing community service.
In this role, you will support the Occupational Therapist in delivering person-centred interventions, providing feedback on service users and carers, and contributing to a client-focused approach where individual needs shape care.
You will engage service users in a range of therapeutic activities, including psychoeducation, cooking, shopping, social eating, and relaxation, delivered both in groups and one-to-one, either face-to-face or virtually.
The role involves working in both the PARALEL team office and within local community settings.
Driving is essential.
You will be responsible for planning and preparing interventions while remaining flexible to meet service user preferences. Strong verbal and non-verbal communication skills are essential, along with the ability to maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation.
Working as part of a small team, you will help ensure a seamless and supportive care experience. A good understanding of eating disorders, mental health conditions, and Occupational Therapy is required.
Post is part time 22.5 hours per week.
Main duties of the job
Why Join Us?
Be part of a friendly, supportive, new and emerging service. Receive dedicated guidance and direction from the experienced Occupational Therapist. Benefit from ongoing professional development, including: Clinical supervision Annual appraisals Heart of care training program designed specifically for support staff A wide range of training opportunities Who We're Looking For:We're seeking an individual who is:
Passionate about mental health and improving lives. Has excellent self-management and organisational skills. Caring, enthusiastic, adaptable and eager to learn. Highly motivated and ready to thrive in developing a new service. A team player who can take direction but is also able to work autonomously. Experience of this type of work is desirable but experience of working with people with eating disorders, aptitude and motivation are considered to be essential qualities in providing the high standards of service that this post demands.
About us
The Senior Therapy Assistant will take responsibility for the management of a defined group of patients that are discharged from Oaktrees Specialist Eating Disorder Service (SEDU). The post holder will work within a comprehensive and high-quality Occupational Therapy and rehabilitation service for a period of 16 weeks, alongside the community eating disorder service. Following triage and assessment by a qualified therapist the post holder will independently implement interventions, assess progression of a person-centred treatment plan and evaluate the treatment
This service is aimed at maximising recovery and maintaining optimum levels of everyday skills.
This service includes assessment and treatment in the areas of activities of daily living, lifelong leisure pursuits, educational and vocational pursuits, social inclusion and improved nutrition. Positive co-production is used to support and facilitate a person-centred recovery journey.
To feedback to qualified therapists as appropriate.
3 days per week. Hours to be negotiated within Monday to Friday daytime service. Thursday will be the fixed day.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please download a copy of the job description (see documents to download section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.
At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.
CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trusts Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trusts Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.
An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: [email protected] or by calling 01244 393100.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in a health related subject Evidence of continuing professional development Willingness to complete Assistant practitioner foundation degree
Desirable
Assistant practitioner foundation degree or due to complete within 6 months European computer driving licence (ECDL) or equivalent
Knowledge and Expertise Essential
Knowledge of eating disorders and Therapy interventions e.g. anxiety management, life skills, meal support, relapse prevention, exposure therapy Knowledge of various health conditions Awareness of the process of rehabilitation and the personnel involved Awareness of the process of ageing and means of adapting to the limitations imposed by ageing and disease. Awareness of the risk assessment process in the provision of assistive equipment and minor adaptations Excellent Communication and interpersonal skills Adherence to the code of Ethics and Professional standard of College of e.g. Occupational Therapy / Physiotherapy to follow local standards of conduct Ability to obtain, receive and relay written and verbal information accurately and efficiently IT Skills Ability to work on own initiative and to manage own caseload.
Desirable
Evidence of relevant in-service training courses. Experience of managing own diary and caseload
Experience Essential
Significant experience as a Band 3 Therapy assistant or CSW. Some experience in a relevant community setting. Current experience of working in a health/social care setting Proven ability to work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team
Desirable
Previous experience as a Band 4 therapy assistant
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 Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address Pioneer Business Park, Unit 4, Pioneer Business Park
North Road,
Ellesmere Port,
CH65 1AD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.cwp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)