Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist

Job summary
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Specialist Occupational Therapist to join our Forensic Outreach Service (FOS). This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced clinician to provide specialist occupational therapy assessment and intervention to adults with complex mental health needs and forensic histories living in the community.

As a key member of the multidisciplinary team, you will provide advanced occupational therapy interventions, lead a small team of occupational therapy staff to ensure consistent deliver within the forensic outreach service and newly developed forensic step down unit. You will contribute to service development, in particular you will support the development of pathways between forensic inpatient and community services, and you will support the ongoing growth of occupational therapy practice within forensic community services.

The post offers an excellent opportunity to apply specialist clinical skills, lead innovation, support staff development, and contribute to the delivery of high-quality, recovery-focused care.

The Forensic Outreach Service supports individuals with complex mental health needs and forensic backgrounds to live safely and successfully within the community. The service works collaboratively with service users, carers, community services, residential providers, criminal justice partners and healthcare professionals to promote recovery, social inclusion and meaningful participation in daily life.

Main duties of the job

• Provide specialist Occupational Therapy assessment, formulation and intervention for service users with complex mental health needs and forensic backgrounds.
• Manage an independent specialist caseload using advanced clinical reasoning and professional judgement.
• Use evidence-based Occupational Therapy approaches and specialist assessments, including the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), to inform care planning and intervention.
• Develop occupational formulations and deliver recovery-focused interventions that support meaningful occupational outcomes.
• Lead and coordinate Occupational Therapy provision within the team, ensuring effective workload management and service delivery.
• Provide clinical and professional leadership, supervision and support to Occupational Therapy staff, support workers and students.
• Act as a specialist Occupational Therapy resource within the multidisciplinary team, offering expert consultation and advice.
• Lead and contribute to quality improvement initiatives, service development projects, audits and governance activities.
• Promote social inclusion, independence, wellbeing and recovery through person-centred practice.
• Support the development of Occupational Therapy services in collaboration with senior therapy leadership.

About us
We are Proud to Belong at Southwest London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.

We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.

This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services.

We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.

We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.

Unless expressly stated in the job advert the role is not subject to sponsorship, please be advised that all offers of employment are subject to evidence of right to work in the UK.

Details
Date posted: 06 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £58,133 to £65,261 a year
per annum plus Inner London HCAS
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 294-FASP-8205719-EB
Job locations: Springfield University Hospital, 15 Springfield Drive, London, Tooting, SW17 0YF, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

• To provide a specialist Occupational Therapy service to the Forensic Outreach service for service users with complex mental health needs and forensic background.
• To provide advanced Occupational Therapy assessment, formulation and intervention for service users with complex mental health needs.
• To independently manage a specialist caseload, applying advanced clinical reasoning and professional judgement in complex situations.
• To use specialist Occupational Therapy models and assessments, including the Model of Human Occupation, to inform assessment, care planning and intervention.
• To lead the delivery and development of Occupational Therapy within the team, promoting high standards of evidence-based and recovery-focused practice.
• To provide clinical and professional leadership to Occupational Therapy staff and support workers, including supervision, appraisal, professional support and practice development.
• To coordinate Occupational Therapy provision within the team, including workload allocation, annual leave planning and the day-to-day organisation of Occupational Therapy services.
• To act as a specialist Occupational Therapy resource for the multidisciplinary team, providing expert advice, consultation and guidance in complex clinical situations.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in job applications
If you have used AI to support the preparation of your application, please briefly indicate how it was used within your supporting statement or application form.
Please remember, your application is your opportunity to tell us about your skills, experience and motivation for the role. We encourage applicants to complete their application and supporting statement in their own words wherever possible. We recognise that AI tools can be helpful in supporting accessibility, and for improving spelling, grammar and structure.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content can become generic and fail to accurately reflect an applicant's individual experience. Applications that clearly demonstrate your own voice, reflections and experiences are often the most effective and help us better understand your suitability for the role.
Please be aware that information provided in your application and supporting statement may be explored further during the selection process. It is important that all applications accurately represent your own knowledge, skills and experience.

Person Specification
Training and Qualifications
Essential

• Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy
• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as an Occupational Therapist
• Evidence of relevant post-registration education and continuing professional development in mental health practice

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification relevant to mental health, occupational therapy or leadership
• Practice Educator training or equivalent
• Leadership or management development training

Experience
Essential

• Substantial post-registration experience within mental health services
• Experience of managing a caseload of service users with complex mental health needs
• Experience of undertaking specialist Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions
• Experience of using the Model of Human Occupation and related assessment tools
• Experience of developing occupational formulations and recovery-focused interventions

Desirable

• Experience of coordinating workload allocation or professional activities within a team
• Experience of using mental health services as a service user, or carer, relative, friend of a service user.

Knowledge & Skills
Essential

• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively
• Ability to develop and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with service users with complex needs
• Ability to work autonomously and manage competing priorities

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: South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust
Address: Springfield University Hospital, 15 Springfield Drive, London, Tooting, SW17 0YF, United Kingdom
Employer's website: (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Forensic Community Service Manager, Catherine Sellars, View email address on meeveem.com, View phone number on meeveem.com