Occupational Therapist/Senior Occupational Therapist
York YO41
New Jobs
Permanent
£32,073 - £48,117 a year
- Work within a multidisciplinary team to provide assessment, intervention, and care planning for men with complex mental health needs in a prison environment.
- Ideal candidates will have at least 18 months of post-qualification experience, demonstrating strong clinical skills and a commitment to person-centred care.
- This full-time role is based in York, working across two neighbouring prisons, with opportunities for professional development and supportive team collaboration.
Job summary
Are you interested in supporting men with complex mental health needs within a prison setting? Would you like to work in York? Would you like to join TEW Health and Justice Services?
We are seeking an experienced Band 5 Occupational Therapist (minimum 18 months post-qualification experience at the point of application) or an existing Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join our expanding service.
Due to the successful growth of occupational therapy within our Prison Integrated Mental Health Teams, we are recruiting a full-time Band 6 Senior Occupational Therapist to work across HMP Full Sutton and HMP Millsike, two neighbouring prisons located on the same site near York. You will work alongside our existing Band 7 Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist as part of a developing and innovative multidisciplinary team.
The Integrated Mental Health Teams at HMP Full Sutton and HMP Millsike are a partnership between TEWV and Rethink Mental Illness, delivering primary and secondary person-centred, recovery-focused mental health care. As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will provide OT assessment, intervention and care planning for men with complex mental health needs, supporting recovery, wellbeing and successful transitions across custody settings and in preparation for release into the community.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will complete occupational performance assessments and occupational formulations, as part of the wider context of team assessment. In addition, you will use client-centred approaches to co-produce negotiated occupational goals and evaluate these in line with clinical outcome measures.
You will offer clinical advice and support relating to occupational needs with multi-disciplinary professionals and multi-agency partners, contribute to multi-disciplinary team working in line with the service operational policy and Health and Justice Clinical Model and use relevant electronic record systems in the prison setting including Systm One and NOMIS (as required).
The successful postholder will abide by all Trust policies and procedures, be able to respond flexibly and creatively to challenges that arise within the context of a prison setting, contribute to own clinical supervision provided by an experienced Occupational Therapist, line management from the Team Manager, and professional leadership from the OT Lead for Health and Justice Services. You will clinically supervise others where appropriate.
About us
We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.
From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care -our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.
We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.
We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.
We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.
Details
Date posted
21 September 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 5
Salary
£32,073 to £48,117 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
346-FMH-103-26-A
Job locations
HMP Millisike
Moor Lane
York
YO41 1FZ
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
Since 2015, Health and Justice have delivered mental health and learning disability care across HMP establishments and within the community. Occupational therapy is a core part of this work, supporting individuals to build skills, increase independence, and engage meaningfully in daily life.
Our occupational therapy team is professionally led by the Lead Occupational Therapist and benefits from a strong culture of collaboration. Therapists across the service meet regularly for peer support, continued professional development, and shared learning, helping to maintain high standards of practice and drive ongoing service improvement. As the value of occupational therapy within health and justice continues to be recognised, our team is expanding and strengthening its contribution across service.
We are proud of our Trustwide OT Pathway, which provides a consistent, evidencebased structure for clinical practice. This includes a clear triage process, standardised assessment tools and documentation, collaboratively developed treatment plans, and robust clinical outcome measures. These elements ensure our work is purposeful, transparent, and focused on meaningful change for the people we support.
Our therapists are supported through defined job plans, development frameworks, regular supervision, and established learning and governance networks. These structures enable the delivery of highquality care while ensuring staff feel equipped, supported, and confident in their roles.
This role is subject to Prison Vetting and the successful candidate must pass this before commencing employment. This includes a thorough review of personal information, including a criminal record check (both spent and unspent), a review of financial standing, and social media checks. Please note that vetting checks may also extend to family members and associates. You must also have resided in the UK for 3 years at the point of application. This will be considered as part of the shortlisting criteria and your application may be rejected if you do not meet this criteria.
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
This job advert may close early if a high volume of applications have been received. If interested, please apply for this post as soon as possible.
Job responsibilities
This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
Since 2015, Health and Justice have delivered mental health and learning disability care across HMP establishments and within the community. Occupational therapy is a core part of this work, supporting individuals to build skills, increase independence, and engage meaningfully in daily life.
Our occupational therapy team is professionally led by the Lead Occupational Therapist and benefits from a strong culture of collaboration. Therapists across the service meet regularly for peer support, continued professional development, and shared learning, helping to maintain high standards of practice and drive ongoing service improvement. As the value of occupational therapy within health and justice continues to be recognised, our team is expanding and strengthening its contribution across service.
We are proud of our Trustwide OT Pathway, which provides a consistent, evidencebased structure for clinical practice. This includes a clear triage process, standardised assessment tools and documentation, collaboratively developed treatment plans, and robust clinical outcome measures. These elements ensure our work is purposeful, transparent, and focused on meaningful change for the people we support.
Our therapists are supported through defined job plans, development frameworks, regular supervision, and established learning and governance networks. These structures enable the delivery of highquality care while ensuring staff feel equipped, supported, and confident in their roles.
This role is subject to Prison Vetting and the successful candidate must pass this before commencing employment. This includes a thorough review of personal information, including a criminal record check (both spent and unspent), a review of financial standing, and social media checks. Please note that vetting checks may also extend to family members and associates. You must also have resided in the UK for 3 years at the point of application. This will be considered as part of the shortlisting criteria and your application may be rejected if you do not meet this criteria.
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
This job advert may close early if a high volume of applications have been received. If interested, please apply for this post as soon as possible.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Appropriate professional qualification for occupational therapy role
- Current relevant registration with specific regulatory body
Desirable
- Post graduate training in relevant specialist area
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 18 months post qualifying experience of occupational therapy delivery
Desirable
- Experience of supporting people with mental health issues, learning disability or autism
- Experience of working in Multidisciplinary Team
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the needs of people who use our services with mental health conditions or learning disabilities.
- Awareness of professional standards and their application to practice
Desirable
- Clinical risk assessment and application in practice
- Knowledge of evidence based practice in designated specialist area
Qualifications
Essential
- Appropriate professional qualification for occupational therapy role
- Current relevant registration with specific regulatory body
Desirable
- Post graduate training in relevant specialist area
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 18 months post qualifying experience of occupational therapy delivery
Desirable
- Experience of supporting people with mental health issues, learning disability or autism
- Experience of working in Multidisciplinary Team
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the needs of people who use our services with mental health conditions or learning disabilities.
- Awareness of professional standards and their application to practice
Desirable
- Clinical risk assessment and application in practice
- Knowledge of evidence based practice in designated specialist area
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).
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
Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Address
HMP Millisike
Moor Lane
York
YO41 1FZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Address
HMP Millisike
Moor Lane
York
YO41 1FZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
York YO41
New Jobs
Permanent
£32,073 - £48,117 a year