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Occupation Therapist

Salary not specified

Employment type not specifiedExperience not specifiedTaunton

Somerset NHS Foundation TrustTaunton

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Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Occupation Therapist

The closing date is 18 November 2026

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Job summary

We are a close-knit and supportive team who work collaboratively across Taunton and West Somerset. We are looking for an enthusiastic and adaptable Occupational Therapist who is keen to learn, develop and make a real difference to the lives of older people. This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience across a wide range of settings, develop specialist skills in older people's mental health and dementia care, and benefit from strong supervision and professional development opportunities

Main duties of the job

The post holder will deliver a high-quality mental health service to older adults with severe and enduring mental health difficulties across community settings, the Dementia Assessment Service and therapeutic group programmes. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, they will manage a defined caseload, undertake assessments, deliver evidence-based interventions and contribute to positive risk management and person-centred care.

Based within the Older People's Community Mental Health Team across Taunton and Minehead, the post holder will support older adults experiencing a range of mental health difficulties. They will act as a key worker, complete dementia and occupational therapy assessments, and work closely with families, carers and partner agencies.

The role includes facilitating and developing therapeutic groups, including Cognitive Stimulation Therapy and the Living Well with Dementia programme, as well as contributing to wider team duties and service development initiatives.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a large, supportive and collaborative team working across a diverse geographical area. The successful candidate will benefit from regular clinical supervision, access to specialist training, attendance at OT best practice groups and ongoing development in models such as the Allen Cognitive Disabilities Model, making this an ideal role for someone keen to develop their skills and career within older people's mental health services.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details

Date posted

04 November 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043 a year Pro Rata, Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-BL-6064

Job locations

Harrison House

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 2PX

United Kingdom

Minehead Community Hospital

Luttrell Way

Minehead

Somerset

TA24 6DF

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Communication and Key Working Relationships

*To apply and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of national guidelines and legislation relating to health and social care and their impact on mental health service provision.

*All employees are subject to the Access to Records & Data Protection Act and must maintain strict confidentiality in respect of clients and their records.

1.Multi-Disciplinary Team

2.Inpatient units

3.Community Mental Health Teams

4.Education Service

5.Voluntary agencies e.g. MIND

6.Leisure services

7.Occupational Therapy services

8.Employers/employment agency

9.Carers

10.Service users

11.Advocacy

12.Private Sector Providers

*The OPMH team sits within an Integrated Neighbour hood made up of ourselves, the District Nursing Service and the Community Rehab Service. The Neighbourhood services work closely together in terms of communication and joined up working where appropriate.

Planning and Organisation

*Receive referrals via the Multi-disciplinary Team.

*Using the OT process assess, develop, and implement an appropriate treatment programme, contributing to the individual's care plan identifying/clarifying and managing level of risk continuously.

*To use evidence-based principles Occupational Therapy assessments and models such as; e.g. The Allen's Cognitive Disability Model and related assessments, The Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) and associated assessments as appropriate.

*To ensure the methods of treatment, frequency and evaluation are appropriate to the diagnosis and or needs of the patient. That the interventions are within the priorities of the service to ensure effectiveness. Treatment should be delivered in the most appropriate location e.g., community or on the unit.

*Provide specialist advice and education to clients/ carers and other disciplines around daily living, advice on lifestyle changes and adaptation of a individuals social and physical environment.

*To ensure a beneficial and positive communication with clients, their family/carers and other professionals involved, respecting individual needs and promoting user involvement/decision making.

*Manage a caseload of clients with complex mental health needs to identify occupational performance and skill deficits, taking on the role of vocational lead if relevant. Use graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals using individual or group interventions.

*To ensure all client intervention is documented in a timely, objective and confidential manner via the electronic patient records system RIO and are maintained in accordance with professional and trust standards.

*To ensure all necessary occupational therapy intervention is undertaken in accordance with trust policy. Advise the Head Occupational Therapist of an inability to do so.

*To support the CMHT through the participation of generic work such as; participating in the duty rota system, attending allocation and team meetings, acting as key worker for an identified complex caseload and at times facilitate psycho-educational and therapeutic group work in collaboration with other team members.

Responsibility for Patient / Client Care, Treatment & Therapy

*To review and reflect on your own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and personal development reviews.

*To develop peer review with therapists in neighbouring trusts or within the Trusts identified study groups.

*To be responsible for keeping knowledge updated and to be prepared to undertake further professional training or research projects for self-development, related to specific areas of expertise and need (continuing professional development) To promote the values and principles underpinning best practice.

*Contribute and meet service requirements as agreed with the team leader and professional head of OT with due regard to Clinical Governance and the National Service Framework.

*Be responsible for the induction, training and education of students and other staff in the setting.

*To provide effective professional supervision to junior colleagues and support staff where appropriate.

*Participate in the planning, evaluation and audit of practice, clinical pathways and protocols within your area of work leading on delegated projects.

*Be involved in health promotion and social inclusion, liaising with other organisations and services in order to promote mental health issues.

*Promote the status, credibility and professional image of Occupational Therapy to other disciplines to enable them to understand the contribution and effective use of Occupational Therapy.

*Comply with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists' Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and national and Trust procedures.

*To act in accordance with Trust and Occupational Therapy services policies and procedures.