Learning Disabilities Occupational Therapy Assistant

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Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust Learning Disabilities Occupational Therapy Assistant

The closing date is 18 November 2026

Apply for this job

Job summary

Learning Disability Occupational Therapy Assistant (Band 4) - BCP Adult LD Service

Are you passionate about helping people with learning disabilities achieve greater independence and live fulfilling lives?

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated Occupational Therapy Assistant to join our Adult Learning Disabilities Service in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP).

This role offers the opportunity to work within a supportive integrated health and social care team, helping adults with learning disabilities to participate in meaningful activities, develop skills, improve independence and achieve the outcomes that matter most to them.

Working closely with Occupational Therapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, you will support the delivery of occupational therapy interventions in people's homes and community settings across BCP. This is a rewarding role for someone who enjoys building positive relationships, working creatively, and making a real difference to people's lives.

Based at our Bournemouth office near Ensbury Park, the majority of your work will take place in community settings. You will support people with a wide range of needs, including those with complex physical disabilities, communication difficulties, sensory needs and behaviours that challenge.

No previous experience in learning disabilities is essential, although an interest in this specialist area and a commitment to person-centred practice are important.

Main duties of the job

As an OTA, you will work under the guidance and supervision of registered Occupational Therapists to:

• Support the delivery of occupational therapy programmes for adults with learning disabilities.
• Assist people to develop and maintain skills for daily living, self-care, community access, leisure and meaningful occupation.
• Support individuals to work towards goals identified within their occupational therapy plans.
• Help people, families and support providers understand and implement occupational therapy strategies.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and contribute to outcome monitoring.
• Communicate using accessible and appropriate formats to ensure people with learning disabilities can participate fully in decisions about their care.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across health, social care and partner organisations.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, physical disabilities or other vulnerable groups.
• Is passionate about promoting independence, choice and inclusion.
• Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Can work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Is organised, adaptable and able to manage a varied workload.
• Values person-centred approaches and understands the importance of accessible communication.
• Is committed to supporting people to live healthy, meaningful and independent lives.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Details

Date posted

04 November 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,499 to £29,079 a year p.a

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

152-M403.26

Job locations

Hillcrest

31 Slades Farm Road

Bournemouth

BH10 4EU

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidates individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do [email protected]

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.

Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidates individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do [email protected]

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.

Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.

Person Specification

Car driving

Essential

• Has a UK driving licence and car

knowledge, skills and training

Essential

• NVQ level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care or other relevant health or social care qualification and previous working within a learning disabilities setting in a supportive role with service users
• Experience relevant to community care
• Understanding of occupational therapy

Desirable

• Other relevant learning
• Other relevant experience

Job specific experience

Essential

• Experience of initiating and facilitating social, leisure and enabling activities with service users.
• Basic IT skills, normally obtained through practice or practical training
• Ability to work within a multi disciplinary team

Desirable

• Experience of coordinating, facilitating and running group work sessions.

Learning

Essential

• Willingness to undertake training relevant to role

Qualities

Essential

• Ability to work as part of a team
• Good organisation and observation skills
• Ability to work unsupervised in a range of settings
• An ability to act calmly in emergencies and to respond in a professional manner to stressful and challenging behaviour
• Excellent communication skills (listening, verbal and written)

Person Specification

Car driving

Essential

• Has a UK driving licence and car

knowledge, skills and training

Essential

• NVQ level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care or other relevant health or social care qualification and previous working within a learning disabilities setting in a supportive role with service users
• Experience relevant to community care
• Understanding of occupational therapy

Desirable

• Other relevant learning
• Other relevant experience

Job specific experience

Essential

• Experience of initiating and facilitating social, leisure and enabling activities with service users.
• Basic IT skills, normally obtained through practice or practical training
• Ability to work within a multi disciplinary team

Desirable

• Experience of coordinating, facilitating and running group work sessions.

Learning

Essential

• Willingness to undertake training relevant to role

Qualities

Essential

• Ability to work as part of a team
• Good organisation and observation skills
• Ability to work unsupervised in a range of settings
• An ability to act calmly in emergencies and to respond in a professional manner to stressful and challenging behaviour
• Excellent communication skills (listening, verbal and written)

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

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Hillcrest

31 Slades Farm Road

Bournemouth

BH10 4EU

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Hillcrest

31 Slades Farm Road

Bournemouth

BH10 4EU

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Operational Lead

Carrie Tbaily

[email protected]

07825935519

Details

Date posted

04 November 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,499 to £29,079 a year p.a

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

152-M403.26

Job locations

Hillcrest

31 Slades Farm Road

Bournemouth

BH10 4EU

United Kingdom

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