Senior Occupational Therapist (Mental Health & Autism)

Job Summary

We are recruiting a Band 6 Occupational Therapist (Mental Health & Autism) for a 2-year fixed term contract to join an expanding small multidisciplinary team providing intensive support for autistic people accessing mental health services across Norfolk and Waveney. We welcome applications from Occupational Therapists working in both Mental Health Practitioner roles and traditional Occupational Therapy roles. As a Band 6 OT, you will provide specialist functional, sensory, and environmental assessments, and deliver tailored interventions. You will be working clinically with a small caseload of autistic service users (18 and above) who are open to [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] mental health teams and presenting frequently within our urgent and emergency care pathways.

Main Duties of the Job

• Undertake Occupational Therapy prioritisation and deliver short term interventions, identifying clear recommendations for community teams.
• Complete specialist functional, sensory, and environmental assessments.
• Develop occupation-focused intervention plans and crisis support strategies.
• Provide sensory modulation, daily living skill development, and structured routine support.
• Promote meaningful participation and enable recovery in the least restrictive setting.
• Contribute to MDT formulation, risk management, and community alternatives to admission.
• Support families and carers using autism-informed practice and environmental adaptations.

About Us

Here at [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team. Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations and need dedicated individuals. Why Norfolk and Suffolk? The people are warm and welcoming, close to the coastline and Broads National Park, an hour and a half from London with an international airport in Norwich.

Job Responsibilities

The successful post holder will be supported with regular supervision with a Principal AHP (Occupational Therapy background), yearly appraisal, and CPD opportunities. This role requires the ability to travel independently across Norfolk and Waveney to meet strict time deadlines for home visits, meetings, and appointments. You will need to hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle. There may be the option of using [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] pool cars. Public transport is not reliable for this role. Please confirm in your application that you meet these criteria.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential: BSc/MSc or Diploma in Occupational Therapy, HCPC registration. Desirable: Relevant post graduate training courses.

Experience

Essential: Post registration experience in mental health, MDT working, ability to work independently and under supervision. Desirable: Experience working in a mental health setting and/or with autistic people.

Skills

Essential: Ability to deliver OT assessment/treatment with designated client group, work under pressure, manage own caseload, strong verbal and written communication skills. Desirable: Skilled in delivering OT interventions within a mental health setting.

Other

Essential: Ability to travel independently.

Knowledge

Essential: Specialist knowledge of OT assessments and interventions relevant to this client group, understanding of recovery model and social inclusion, demonstrates reflective practice. Desirable: Up to date with evidence-based research.

Additional Information

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship are welcome. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer Details

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]
Weaver's Centre, Hellesdon Hospital
Drayton High Road
Norwich
NR5 6BE
Website: [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]

For questions about the job, contact: Dr Jo Smith, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]

Date posted: 07 May 2026. Closing date: 14 May 2026.