Job summary Part Time OT Assistant Therapy Practitioner within Acorn Day Service) in Community Eating Disorder Services. Are you interested in being part of Adult Community Eating Disorder Service in Hertfordshire? Do you have a passion for supporting recovery through occupational therapy? If so we want to hear from you Main duties of the job We are looking for an enthusiastic OT Assistant Therapy Practitioner to work with adults with eating disorders and their carers in the Acorn Day Unit. The ADU aims to support local treatment where appropriate to support individuals in their recovery, help prevent hospital admissions, support and facilitate early discharge. You will be part of the ADU who are a small caring multi-disciplinary team. The ADU works collaboratively within the Hertfordshire Community Eating Disorder Service using therapeutic community values. We are a caring team; working closely to ensure we support people using our service, their family/loved ones, our colleagues and each other. We are excited about the progression of the service and possibility of positively impacting peoples recovery journey. We are looking for staff who hold our team and Trust values. Ideally you will have experience of working with people with mental health issues and/or eating disorders. The Trust offers an Occupational Therapy Apprenticeship Scheme, so employment provides opportunity to apply for this scheme if you are interested in becoming a qualified Occupational Therapist. If you would like to know more or are have questions please feel free to contact us. About us Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just fivemental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country. Our family of over 3500 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services. The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers - everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout: Our Trust values are: Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional. These values are at the core of who we are, everything we do, and how we do it Would you like to be part of the HPFT family? Would you like work with us to ensure our service users live the fullest lives possible they can? Would you like to be supported in your career to be the best that you can be? Then please read on Date posted 04 April 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 4 Salary £27,857 to £30,570 a year per annum pro rata (5% fringe HCAS included) Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time Reference number 367-SS-8587-B Job locations Acorn Day Unit Rosanne House Parkway Welwyn Garden City AL8 6HG Job description Job responsibilities Main Responsibilities To work individually with service users on specific tasks and therapeutic activity guided by an Occupational Therapist. To carry our specific Occupational Therapy assessments as guided by an Occupational Therapist. To promote a culture of engagement in meaningful occupation within the service in order to enhance quality of life. To support service users and carers in regards to improving nutrition and food skills under guidance of senior staff. To provide interventions in the manner that is consistent with Trust standards and values. To provide feedback to the team regarding observed occupational performance during a session which will contribute to assessment and therapeutic interventions. To maintain clinical records using the electronic patient record system. To work effectively as a member of a team in providing therapeutic activities (to include; promoting life skills such as, meal preparation; shopping; cooking and eating). To use technical / creative skills to engage service users in meaningful and appropriate activities to promote independence, recovery and well-being. Under the guidance of the Occupational Therapist provide ongoing assessment and adjustment of clinical interventions based on the fluctuating needs of the service users See the attached job description and person specification for details of each role for further details. Job description Job responsibilities Main Responsibilities To work individually with service users on specific tasks and therapeutic activity guided by an Occupational Therapist. To carry our specific Occupational Therapy assessments as guided by an Occupational Therapist. To promote a culture of engagement in meaningful occupation within the service in order to enhance quality of life. To support service users and carers in regards to improving nutrition and food skills under guidance of senior staff. To provide interventions in the manner that is consistent with Trust standards and values. To provide feedback to the team regarding observed occupational performance during a session which will contribute to assessment and therapeutic interventions. To maintain clinical records using the electronic patient record system. To work effectively as a member of a team in providing therapeutic activities (to include; promoting life skills such as, meal preparation; shopping; cooking and eating). To use technical / creative skills to engage service users in meaningful and appropriate activities to promote independence, recovery and well-being. Under the guidance of the Occupational Therapist provide ongoing assessment and adjustment of clinical interventions based on the fluctuating needs of the service users See the attached job description and person specification for details of each role for further details. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Knowledge of Occupational Therapy role within a mental health setting Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office and associated packages Desirable A Levels and/or Health and Social Care NVQ level 3 or equivalent Additional training in Eating Disorders Experience Essential Experience of working with people with mental health problems Ability to work autonomously Desirable Experience of working in a OT related setting Experience of service user and carer involvement in the development of services Knowledge of Recovery Principles experience of motivation Skills Essential Ability to provide and receive sensitive information regarding services users care and social situation Strong communication skills written and verbal Knowledge of and ability to use a range of communication skills to overcome barriers to engagement Good problem solving and clinical judgement skills Ability to understand and respond and adjust appropriately to the changing needs of service users Knowledge of appropriate professional relationships and boundaries Good Observational skills Ability to engage in a range of physical activities Desirable Knowledge and experience of using the Model of Human Occupation Assessment tools Person Specification Qualifications Essential Knowledge of Occupational Therapy role within a mental health setting Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office and associated packages Desirable A Levels and/or Health and Social Care NVQ level 3 or equivalent Additional training in Eating Disorders Experience Essential Experience of working with people with mental health problems Ability to work autonomously Desirable Experience of working in a OT related setting Experience of service user and carer involvement in the development of services Knowledge of Recovery Principles experience of motivation Skills Essential Ability to provide and receive sensitive information regarding services users care and social situation Strong communication skills written and verbal Knowledge of and ability to use a range of communication skills to overcome barriers to engagement Good problem solving and clinical judgement skills Ability to understand and respond and adjust appropriately to the changing needs of service users Knowledge of appropriate professional relationships and boundaries Good Observational skills Ability to engage in a range of physical activities Desirable Knowledge and experience of using the Model of Human Occupation Assessment 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. Employer details Employer name Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Address Acorn Day Unit Rosanne House Parkway Welwyn Garden City AL8 6HG Employer's website https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)