About this role
Job summary
We are seeking a dynamic and skilled Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join our Crisis Care Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services team. This exciting role offers the opportunity to apply your Occupational Therapy expertise and creativity in a fast-paced, supportive environment, working with young people at home, school and in the community who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
This role offers a unique opportunity to make a profound difference in the lives of young people under our service. You will be part of an ever expanding, forward thinking and compassionate team committed to improving outcomes for young people and their families.
This is an exciting time to join a team focused on early intervention, prevention, and recovery, where your skills as an Occupational Therapist will be central to the services growth and success.
You will receive excellent support, supervision, and opportunities to contribute to the development of new therapeutic interventions within CAMHs crisis care.
Main duties of the job
-You will be required to provide specialist Occupational Therapy interventions to young people in acute mental health crises, promoting recovery and preventing admission to hospital.
-You will need to holistically assess the functional abilities of the young person, identifying barriers and limitations to their everyday life and well-being.
-Develop personalised care plans that focus on improving emotional regulation, coping skills and engagement in meaningful activities.
-Deliver short-term crisis interventions in both community and home settings, ensuring that the young person and their family are supported during times of acute distress.
-Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team including mental health practitioners, nurses, social workers, and youth support workers to provide integrated, client-centered care.
-Offer consultation and advice to other professionals and families in order to facilitate recovery.
-Liaise with schools, social services, CAMHs and other external agencies to ensure continuity of care and support during and after their admission to our service.
About us
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.
Job description Job responsibilities
IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.
Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming one-stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.
To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Documents to download heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.
Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.
Diversity Matters MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other. As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.
What is a DBS Check?
A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:
Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.
Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police thats considered relevant to the role.
Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the childrens and/or adults barred lists.
Who Needs a DBS Check
Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.
The Costs for a DBS
At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.
For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december
DBS Update Service
Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.
Person Specification
Registration/ Accreditation / Qualifcations Essential
Registered with Health Care Professionals Council Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy
Experience Essential
Specialist level of theoretical knowledge & clinical practice e.g. oMental health oPaediatric setting otreatment approaches oGroup activities Significant post-qualification experience Significant experience in a specialist clinical area, for example mental health or paediatric setting Evidence of self-directed/formal postgraduate education & training experiences Experience of contributing to developing and evaluating own practice Understanding of the principles of Clinical Governance and a willingness to follow Trust Policy and Procedures
Desirable
Work experience at a senior level Experience of participation clinical supervision/appraisal processes Awareness of developing, implementing and auditing standards of practice Experience of working in a community setting. Experience of working within a diverse cultural environment Experience of contributing to student education
Knowledge, Skills and Ability. Essential
Up to date knowledge of child mental health and relevant legislation. Maintenance of an up to date portfolio reflecting development of specialist knowledge, skills and evidence-based practice. Knowledge and skills in delivery of evidence-based practice and the ability to demonstrate how this influences clinical practice. The ability to assess, formulate and manage care appropriately, ensuring discharge is timely. Ability to plan, implement and evaluate appropriate therapeutic interventions with children across the age range and their parents/carers. Developed communication skills with the ability to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information and overcome barriers to acceptance with children, parents and professionals. The ability to work with people from a range of different backgrounds, cultures and or different ages. To be able to provide feedback and constructive guidance to junior members of the team and trainees to facilitate their personal and professional development. The ability to reflect on and critically appraise own performance. Ability to manage and organise own time and diary, and work flexibly and creatively in a clinical context and pressurised situations. The ability to follow policy and make proposals for change. The ability to work independently with the support of clinical and management supervision. The ability to maintain clinical records both written and electronic. The ability to cope with stressful situations including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the case of highly emotive and distressing problems Awareness of using research in practice Informal teaching experience To be able to function as a part of a multi-disciplinary team and to liaise effectively with other agencies i.e., education, GP's, maintaining positive working relationships. The ability to follow policy and make proposals for change
Desirable
Active member of relevant special interest group e.g. CYPF Acute Clinical Forum Experience of delivering training. Experience of audit and research Delivery of group work and workshops. Advanced IT skills. Experience of supervising junior staff
Personal Attributes Essential
A commitment to undertake further relevant training and self-directed study. Punctual and flexible across hours of work when required. A commitment to the inclusion of young people's, parent/carer views in service delivery, development and design. Willingness to contribute to team functioning, performance and the ongoing development of the service.
Work Related Circumstance Essential
Use of a car or access to a means of travel across the Trust footprint in line with service needs Willing to carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trust's Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Address Carol Kendrick Centre
Stratus House, Southmoor Road
Wythenshawe
M23 9XD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)