Occupational Therapist

Job summary
Are you looking for a role where you can develop your occupational therapy skills whilst making a genuine difference to people's lives?

Do you want the opportunity to work creatively with individuals with complex mental health needs, supporting recovery, independence, and successful community living?

We are looking for a compassionate, motivated, and recovery-focused Occupational Therapist to join our innovative Forensic Outreach and Liaison Service.

This is an exciting opportunity to work within a supportive multidisciplinary team alongside experienced Occupational Therapists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, and medical colleagues, helping individuals with forensic histories and complex mental health needs progress through their recovery journey and reintegrate into community life.

No two days are the same in this role. You will work closely with service users to understand what matters to them, identify barriers to independence, and develop creative, person-centred interventions that support meaningful and sustainable recovery.

This is your opportunity to join a service committed to innovation, recovery, and compassionate care. If you are looking for a rewarding role where you can grow professionally whilst helping people build safer, more independent, and meaningful lives, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and help support recovery beyond secure care.

Main duties of the job
As a Band 5 Occupational Therapist within FOLS, you will:

• Carry out occupational therapy assessments and interventions with support from senior Occupational Therapy colleagues
• Work collaboratively with the Band 6 Occupational Therapist and wider MDT to support recovery-focused rehabilitation plans
• Support service users to develop the practical skills needed for successful community living and increased independence
• Build therapeutic relationships with individuals who may present with complex mental health needs, forensic histories, trauma, and occupational disruption
• Support positive risk management and person-centred care planning
• Work alongside inpatient secure unit teams to support continuity of care and successful discharge into the community
• Contribute ideas and creativity to individual interventions and therapeutic approaches
• Deliver interventions focused on:

• Daily living skills and routines
• Community access and social inclusion
• Confidence building and emotional wellbeing
• Digital literacy and use of technology
• Financial management and budgeting skills
• Vocational interests, education, and meaningful activity

You will be encouraged to develop your professional identity as an Occupational Therapist within forensic services whilst receiving structured supervision and support to grow your confidence and clinical skills.

About us
We are Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We care for the mental health and wellbeing of people across Kent and Medway and are rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Our teams support children, young people and adults with a wide range of mental health needs. We also provide specialist services, including all-age eating disorder services and neurodevelopmental assessments for children and young people, such as autism and ADHD.

Because we work across the whole county and across hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the people we serve.

Our vision is simple: we are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. It's why we're passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. Everything we do is guided by our values: caring, inclusive, curious and confident.

Join us if you share our passion for better mental health care and want to be part of a team that's working well together.

Details
Date posted: 12 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 380-FR0706
Job locations: Trevor Gibbens Unit, Hermitage Lane, Maidstone, ME16 9PH, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description for full details and main responsibilities of the role.

This is more than a traditional Band 5 role. It is an opportunity to:

• Develop specialist skills within forensic and community mental health services
• Work creatively and therapeutically with individuals with highly complex needs
• Gain experience supporting rehabilitation and discharge pathways from secure services into the community
• Deliver meaningful occupational interventions that promote independence and social inclusion
• Receive structured support, supervision, and professional development from experienced Occupational Therapists
• Build confidence in risk assessment, formulation, and trauma-informed practice
• Be part of a supportive and innovative multidisciplinary team committed to recovery focused care

Whether you are newly qualified or looking to broaden your experience within mental health services, we would love to hear from you.

Please note, whilst you will be based at the Trevor Gibbens Unit in Maidstone, this is a Community role where you will be required to travel regularly.

The post holder must hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car/vehicle to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010)

Person Specification
Qualifications and Registrations
Essential

• Hold a recognised Occupational Therapy qualification
• Be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Knowledge and Skills
Essential

• Understanding of the importance of meaningful occupation in supporting recovery, wellbeing, and independence
• Knowledge of occupational therapy models and approaches relevant to mental health and rehabilitation practice
• Ability to support individuals to develop functional skills, routines, and confidence within community settings

Desirable

• Understanding of occupational approaches to community integration, social inclusion, and relapse prevention

Experience
Essential

• Pre-registration experience within mental health settings and/or working with individuals with mental health needs

Desirable

• Experience of working with service users presenting with complex mental health needs
• Experience of working within rehabilitation, forensic, community, or recovery-focused services

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.