Head Occupational Therapist (Fixed Term Contract – Maternity Leave Cover)

Role

Head Occupational Therapist – Fixed Term Contract (Maternity leave cover)

Working hours: 37.5 Hours per week. Salary: £52,870 per year. Contract duration 9-12 months from 1 November 2026.

Location: Cygnet Hospital Godden Green, Sevenoaks TN15 0JR. Responsible to Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist, Clinical Services Manager and Regional Lead Occupational Therapist.

Responsibilities

• Provide innovative leadership and management of the Occupational Therapy service comprising 1 OT and 1 OTA.
• Assess and treat occupational dysfunction for patients on allocated caseload, delivering person‑centred group and individual therapy sessions.
• Work with a full multidisciplinary team to support service users from admission to discharge.
• Collaborate with other therapists (music, dance, movement, activity coordinators, assistant psychologists, Active Life team) and use VdTMoCA, Sensory Modulation strategies and APOM.
• Lead and facilitate service line meetings, support CPD and training opportunities, and contribute to quality improvement and proactive service development.
• Support and mentor junior staff, ensuring evidence‑based practice and adherence to Cygnet guidelines.

Qualifications & Experience

• Registered Occupational Therapist with the HCPC.
• Experience working with individuals with mental health conditions, dual diagnosis, sensory processing difficulties or complex trauma.
• Proven hands‑on approach to occupational therapy process and interventions.
• Excellent communication, time management, and multi‑disciplinary teamwork skills.
• Experience 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.
• Ability to use sensory‑based interventions to reduce anxiety.
• Ability to manage a varied clinical caseload and high‑demand presentations.
• Passionate about student education and CPD.
• Interest in mental health field and willingness to learn and implement VdTMoCA.

Benefits

• Competitive salary of £52,870 per year.
• Free parking and free staff meals on duty.
• Leadership & Management and Sensory Modulation CPD opportunities.
• Training days provided by experienced OT specialists.
• Expert clinical supervision and peer support.
• Bi‑monthly OT CPD meetings focused on skill and service development.
• Generous pension plan.
• NHS Discount Card and Blue Light Card with brand discounts.
• Additional benefits: healthcare coverage, holidays, and leisure discounts.

Application

The successful candidate must undergo an enhanced DBS and reference check. Please contact Hannah Dunlop (hannahdunlop@cygnethealth.co.uk) or Courtney Greene (CourtneyGreene@cygnethealth.co.uk) to discuss the role.

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