Band 3 Occupational Therapy Support Worker - Bristol

We are offering an opportunity to join our 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-focussed care. The occupational therapy team is a well-established, integral and valued part of the multi-disciplinary clinical team.

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. 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.

We promote recovery through engaging in meaningful activities which 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.

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. On joining the team, you will receive a comprehensive, structured induction package, 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.

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).

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.

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 preparation of risk assessments; CPA/SAP.

Please see attached job description for further details.