Head Occupational Therapist (Maternity Cover)

Job responsibilities

Helping others improve and turn their lives around theres no better feeling. Its what we do for thousands of people at more than 150 sites across the UK. Be a part of it.

Are you a motivated and enthusiastic Band 5 Occupational Therapist ready to elevate your skills within a supportive and progressive team?

About Us

Cygnet Health Care was established in 1988 as an independent provider of health and social care services in England, Scotland and Wales.

Your role: Head Occupational Therapist (Fixed Term Contract Maternity leave cover)

Working hours: 37.5 Hours per week

Salary: £52,870 per year

Contract duration: 1st November 2026 (for a period of 9-12 months)

Service Line: Mental Health Adults Acute/ PICU

Location: Cygnet Hospital Godden Green, Godden Green, Sevenoaks TN15 0JR

Responsible to: Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist and Clinical Services Manager as well as the Regional Lead Occupational Therapist

Your role:

Leadership: As the Head of Department, you will provide innovative leadership and management over the Occupational Therapy service, which comprises 1 occupational therapist and 1 occupational therapy assistant.

You would be responsible for the assessment and treatment of occupational dysfunction for patients on your allocated caseload, including the delivery of person centred group and individual therapy sessions. You will work with a full multidisciplinary team in a coordinate d way to support each service user to develop their skills and move through our clinical model of care from admission to discharge. You will have the support of an Occupational Therapy team and work closely with other therapists from different disciplines, including music therapy, dance and movement therapy, activity coordinators, assistant psychologists and the Active Life team.

Summary of the site

Cygnet Hospital Godden Green provides specialist acute and PICU services for women. The hospital is situated in the beautiful countryside of the Kent Weald, near Sevenoaks. Its location, in over an acre of its own grounds, helps the hospital provide a calm and therapeutic environment.

We have a designated qualified Occupational Therapist on each ward, an Occupational Therapist Assistant as well as Activity Coordinators supporting the activities around the hospital. Our environment has a holistic focus and includes a gym, ADL kitchen, Recovery College, Hair Salon, Tuckshop and other therapeutic spaces.

The Occupational Therapy Directorate

Every service line has a Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist to guide and develop evidence based practice and agreed occupational therapy pathway for each specific client group. This includes Cygnet developed guidelines and assessments. Each Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist hosts service line meetings regularly, in which you will link in with other Occupational Therapists in the company based in the same service line, providing a valuable networking and development opportunity. Specific CPD and training opportunities are also available and tailored to individual and service needs.

Our vibrant OT department in Godden Green Hospital (Sevenoaks) is passionate about delivering exceptional, client-centred care. We utilise the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability (VdTMoCA), a powerful evidence-based model that focuses on understanding and nurturing a client's creative capacity and ability to engage in m eaningful life activities. VdTMoCA offers a structured approach to assessment and intervention, resulting in greater client participation and enhanced functional outcomes. Alongside VdTMoCA, we integrate Sensory Modulation strategies and utilise the Activity Participation Outcome Measure (APOM) to ensure a comprehensive and holistic approach. We are also highly committed to continuous quality improvement and proactive service development.

A key requirement for this role is a genuine willingness to learn and implement VdTMoCA, if you are not already trained or experienced in this model. We provide excellent support and a comprehensive preceptorship program to facilitate your learning journey.

If you are eager to apply evidence-based practice, thrive in a collaborative environment, and are driven to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals we support, we strongly encourage you to apply! If you feel you suit the criteria, then please make an application today. For an informal discussion about the role please contact our in-house recruiter, Hannah Dunlop ([email protected])

5 reasons why you should make an application today

1. We care about people in our services

2. Career pathway progression within the company to support your development and skills, including sensory integration training, leadership and management training, VdTMoCA, MOHO or Group Therapy, amongst others.

3. You will be an integral part of a large, well established MDT with extensive experience to draw from.

4. Dedicated CPD time being part of a national network of over 150 OTs in the Cygnet Group within different specialisms including LD and ASD, Acute mental health, and High Support Inpatient Rehabilitation Services. Induction & service line training in area of specialism.

5. You will be a part of a friendly and supportive team of 1 OT and 1 OTA who are driven to provide excellence and where innovation and creativity are welcomed with en thusiasm.

The Successful Candidate should be/ have:

A registered Occupational Therapist with the HCPC (Health Care Professions Council).

An understanding of working with individuals diagnosed with mental health conditions, dual diagnosis, sensory processing difficulties or complex trauma.

An understanding of Occupational Therapy process/interventions and taking a hands on approach.

Excellent communication and time management skills.

Experience and knowledge in working with individuals with severe mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia and major depressive disorders.

Proficiency in designing and delivering individualised, activity based interventions to promote patient engagement and recovery.

The ability to use sensory based interventions to reduce anxiety and promote a calmer environment for patients.

The capacity to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Passionate about student education

Ability to manage highly demanding clinical presentations.

Effective personal and time management skills to manage a clinical caseload and a varied workload within the service.

Interest in the field of mental health

In return we will offer you:

A competitive salary

Free parking and free meals for staff on duty

Opportunities for CPD and to undertake further learning and development. For example: Leadership & Management and Sensory Modulation.

Training days provided by highly experienced and renowned OT specialists