Band 3 Occupational Therapy Support Worker - Bristol
We have full-time and part-time opportunities within our Secure Services Occupational Therapy team, working with mental health service users in a secure in-patient setting.
Fromeside is a regional medium secure unit, which provides a service to 81 in-patient service users with mental health needs. Wickham unit is a 31-bedded low secure service, providing recovery-focused care.
The occupational therapy team is a well-established, integral and valued part of the multi-disciplinary clinical team. The therapies team predominantly provide a Monday to Friday 9-5 service.
The person we recruit will have a broad range of 'life skills', and should be able to engage, motivate, and support service users with mental health needs in a wide range of activities. Ideally, you will have some experience in running groups or 1:1 sessions in some capacity. In this post, you will work closely with qualified occupational therapists, but also have the opportunity to use your initiative and work independently. You will work to support service users in achieving their potential to function as independently as possible in all aspects of their life.
Main duties of the job
We promote recovery through engaging in meaningful activities to maintain or improve the service user's level of functioning and quality of life. Much emphasis is placed on providing service users with the opportunity to develop or adapt life skills. We aim to empower each individual to fulfil their maximum potential and independence, physically, psychologically, and socially. We deliver a comprehensive programme of activities to inspire, encourage and support individuals who have mental health needs on their journey to recovery. As part of the team, you will plan and deliver 1:1 or group sessions under the supervision of occupational therapists.
On joining the team, you will receive a comprehensive, structured induction package, and you will have the chance to work with a supportive team in a unique and innovative environment. You will receive regular supervision and support in this post. We run monthly CPD (Continuing Professional Development) and have opportunities for engaging in ongoing training and development. Others who have worked within this role have gone on to carry out their Occupational Therapy apprenticeship alongside their post within the team.
About us
The Occupational Therapy Team at this site work together to provide a comprehensive and inspiring service to all our inpatients. We are looking to recruit a Band 3 Occupational Therapy Support Worker who would like to work with our team in this setting. We have a large and well-resourced department for the provision of activities (including 2 workshops, an art room, a café, gym, sports hall, and a large garden).
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust), 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 AWP 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 AWP, 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 AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
Job responsibilities
1. Work in a collaborative and cooperative manner with service users, their families/carers, and other health and social care professionals. Recognise and respect their involvement in the planning and delivery of care.
2. Assist in the maintenance of a safe therapeutic environment beneficial to the needs of the service users, relatives, carers, and others.
3. Contribute to the team approach, providing accurate and relevant feedback to registered staff; participate in team discussions and meetings regarding care of service users.
4. Develop a therapeutic relationship with service users to encourage and maximise their interest and participation in therapeutic activity.
5. Organise day-to-day activities for groups and individual therapy programmes including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation under the supervision of the mental health professionals.
6. Play a part in the preparation of risk assessments; CPA/SAP.
You should be an effective communicator who enjoys working alongside people and helping them achieve their goals. You will need experience of working with people with mental health needs or personal knowledge of how mental health can affect people. We are a large welcoming supportive team, consisting of Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Support Workers, Education, and Active Life.
Please see attached job description for further details.
Person Specification
Essential experience, skills, and qualifications
* NVQ level 3 in a relevant subject or substantial equivalent experience gained in a role supporting people with significant health or social care needs.
* Demonstrates an understanding of how mental health issues can affect people.
* Experience of working as part of a team and under your own initiative.
* Ability to take direction and to follow detailed policies and protocols.
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 name
Lead Occupational Therapy, Education & Active Life
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