Job summary We are looking for a dynamic, highly motivated occupational therapist committed to delivering high-quality care to autistic people and their families. This is an exciting opportunity for a suitably qualified, experienced professional looking to contribute to the development of this new service. The Adult Autism Intensive Support Team will provide specialist assessment, formulation, therapeutic interventions (directly to individuals or through consultation) to a small number of autistic people with complex needs. The multi-disciplinary service will support autistic adults, without a co-occurring intellectual disability, under the care of an existing SWLSTG services. You will be thoughtful in the way you work with the multi-disciplinary team and have experience in developing the skills of colleagues. You will be interested in working with external partners to develop supportive networks and have energy, drive and enthusiasm for working with complexity. You will be expected to provide OT input to autistic people, across a variety of community settings, with individuals, groups, families and staff teams. You will be part of a developing service that strives for clinical excellence and aims to support its staff to feel valued, provides opportunities for training and development and encourages active participation relevant service developments. Main duties of the job You will have excellent written and spoken communication skills, an ability to work sensitively and thoughtfully with service users and their carers often around challenging and complex presentations. You will be flexible in your approaches to problem solving, be creative and be ready to embrace challenges and enjoy working as part of a team. The post holder will Be responsible for the planning, development and delivery of specialist occupational therapy including sensory assessment, intervention, education and awareness for individuals under the care of the Adult Autism Intensive Support Service. Support a caseload of service users with highly complex needs, using evidence based, client-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate occupational therapy interventions. Provide professional leadership to colleagues supporting the delivery of OT packages. Participate in the planning, development and evaluation of the service, holding responsibility for defined projects. Participate in and contribute to local service development and strategy. Contribute to the Trust wide OT strategy (Model of Human Occupation and Specialist forums). Supervise OT students on fieldwork placements. Undertake regular audits and research and development activities. Provide training and support for families, staff and wider network professionals as required. About us We are Proud to Belong at South West 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 as we invest a further £120m to upgrade and modernise our estate by 2027. 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 ofbenefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive. Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey. Date posted 14 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £51,883 to £58,544 a year pro rata per annum inclusive of outer London HCAS Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time Reference number 294-MHCA-7013601-JB Job locations The Wilson Hospital Cranmer Rd Mitcham CR4 4TP Job description Job responsibilities To be responsible for the planning, development and delivery of specialist occupational therapy including sensory assessment, intervention, education and awareness for individuals under the care of the Adult Autism Intensive Support Team. To support a caseload of clients with highly complex needs, using evidence based, client-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate occupational therapy interventions. To provide professional leadership to colleagues supporting the delivery of OT packages. To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of the service, holding responsibility for defined projects. To participate in and contribute to local service development and strategy. To contribute to the Trust wide OT strategy (Model of Human Occupation and Specialist forums). To supervise OT students on fieldwork placements. To undertake regular audits and research and development activities. To provide training and support for families, staff and wider network professionals as required. To work closely with Trust Head of Therapies and other senior colleagues, leading initiatives relating to clinical governance including audit, implementation of NICE guidelines. Job description Job responsibilities To be responsible for the planning, development and delivery of specialist occupational therapy including sensory assessment, intervention, education and awareness for individuals under the care of the Adult Autism Intensive Support Team. To support a caseload of clients with highly complex needs, using evidence based, client-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate occupational therapy interventions. To provide professional leadership to colleagues supporting the delivery of OT packages. To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of the service, holding responsibility for defined projects. To participate in and contribute to local service development and strategy. To contribute to the Trust wide OT strategy (Model of Human Occupation and Specialist forums). To supervise OT students on fieldwork placements. To undertake regular audits and research and development activities. To provide training and support for families, staff and wider network professionals as required. To work closely with Trust Head of Therapies and other senior colleagues, leading initiatives relating to clinical governance including audit, implementation of NICE guidelines. Person Specification Training and Qualifications Essential Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy Registration to practice in the UK Evidence of post registration training relevant to mental health practice Training in the theory and application of the model of human occupation within the first 4 months of appointment Desirable Masters degree in subject relevant to clinical post Practice placement educators course within one year of appointment Apple registration Experience Essential Experience of carrying a caseload of service users with complex and diverse needs in a mental health setting Experience of working in a professional role at Band 6 or above Post-graduate clinical experience highly related to clinical field Experience of working in an inter-professional team Experience of working in a range of mental health settings Desirable Experience of supervising junior staff Experience of being a practice placement educator Knowledge & skills Essential Highly developed interpersonal skills enabling therapeutic alliances to be developed & maintained with service users who have multiple & complex needs Ability to identify and assess potential risks involved in work activities for self and others. Ability to enable staff to develop & apply their knowledge & skills in practice Ability to adapt own practice & style of working to service requirements Ability to apply equal opportunities & anti-discriminatory interventions that respect the service users' customs, values & spiritual beliefs Desirable Working knowledge of model of human occupation tools Person Specification Training and Qualifications Essential Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy Registration to practice in the UK Evidence of post registration training relevant to mental health practice Training in the theory and application of the model of human occupation within the first 4 months of appointment Desirable Masters degree in subject relevant to clinical post Practice placement educators course within one year of appointment Apple registration Experience Essential Experience of carrying a caseload of service users with complex and diverse needs in a mental health setting Experience of working in a professional role at Band 6 or above Post-graduate clinical experience highly related to clinical field Experience of working in an inter-professional team Experience of working in a range of mental health settings Desirable Experience of supervising junior staff Experience of being a practice placement educator Knowledge & skills Essential Highly developed interpersonal skills enabling therapeutic alliances to be developed & maintained with service users who have multiple & complex needs Ability to identify and assess potential risks involved in work activities for self and others. Ability to enable staff to develop & apply their knowledge & skills in practice Ability to adapt own practice & style of working to service requirements Ability to apply equal opportunities & anti-discriminatory interventions that respect the service users' customs, values & spiritual beliefs Desirable Working knowledge of model of human occupation tools 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). Additional information 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 The Wilson Hospital Cranmer Rd Mitcham CR4 4TP Employer's website https://www.swlstg.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)