Job overview

We are seeking a leader who embodies trust‑wide collaboration, strong communication and a genuine commitment to compassionate, evidence‑based care.

This post provides clinical, managerial and professional leadership to the established Occupational Therapy team at Callington Road Hospital, overseeing services across the inpatient pathway including PICU, Acute, Rehabilitation and Older People’s services. You will lead a large team of Occupational Therapists, Apprentices & Technicians, supporting them to deliver high‑quality, occupation‑focused practice.

We are looking for someone who leads with empathy, compassion and integrity, modelling best practice and setting high standards through your own actions. As a hands‑on clinical leader, you will bring maturity, calmness and resilience to complex situations, inspiring confidence through your ability to remain composed, thoughtful and decisive.

Main duties of the job

A key part of this role is the operational management of a large, diverse team. You will have proven experience in providing day‑to‑day staff management, supervision, performance oversight and workforce coordination, ensuring safe, effective and well‑organised service delivery. Your leadership will focus on clinical quality, promoting evidence‑based approaches and motivating others to deliver excellent care.

You will join a dedicated and enthusiastic team who strive to provide the best possible service. Together, you will deliver high‑quality assessments, occupation‑based interventions and robust models of practice, ensuring that service users receive meaningful, therapeutic and recovery‑focused support

This role offers significant opportunities for professional development, including active involvement in the trust‑wide Occupational Therapy Leads network. You will have the chance to shape practice, influence service development and integrate learning into everyday clinical leadership.

We work closely with our multidisciplinary colleagues and the Bristol management team, playing an active role in shaping services in line with local developments, trust‑wide strategy and business planning. Opportunities include access to in‑house training and external leadership development programmes.

Working for our organisation

We are [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]): a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

At [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], as diversity makes us stronger.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Extensive experience across a broad range of mental health settings is essential. Including knowledge, interest & a degree of clinical specialism in the following areas; sensory approaches, ACLs 6 and the VdTMoCA. We do offer regular training opportunities to support.

Applicants must demonstrate strong decision‑making abilities, the confidence to work autonomously and the ability to contribute clinically to the daily operation of the team.

Person specification

Education/Qualification

Essential criteria

• Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Registration with HCPC
• Post Graduate accredited Study

Experience and Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Effective Team Working within Multi-Agency Framework
• Post Graduate clinical experience at advanced practitioner level with mental health services
• Experience in prioritising and managing the work of a team or others
• Understanding of budget management
• Significant supervisory experience with evidence of people management skills including sickness management, HR processes, appraisal, performance, conduct and complaints
• Advanced understanding of relevant legal frameworks, safeguarding
• Knowledge of relevant national policies and guidance

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Experience of change management
• Expertise in problem solving approaches
• Experience of contributing to service and policy development
• Up to date evidence based clinical knowledge

Further details / informal visits contact

Name: Julie Northall/Sarah Pavey

Job title: Occupational Therapy Team Manager/Modern Matron

Email: [contact hidden] / [contact hidden]