Go back NELFT North East London Foundation Trust
Clinical Lead Occupational Therapy
The closing date is 08 June 2026
Job Overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen within Barking & Dagenham Community Mental Health Services for an experienced and motivated Band 8a Occupational Therapist to join the service in a senior leadership role. The successful candidate will be a key member of a supportive and forward‑thinking management team, providing professional leadership, clinical oversight, and strategic direction for Occupational Therapy staff across the directorate. You will play a central role in the development, delivery, and promotion of high‑quality Occupational Therapy services for adults with serious and enduring mental health needs.
This post requires substantial experience working within community mental health services and a strong understanding of recovery‑focused, person‑centred care. You will be expected to demonstrate effective leadership skills, the ability to support and develop staff, and a commitment to service improvement within a multidisciplinary environment. The role offers an excellent opportunity to further develop senior leadership and management skills while contributing to service transformation and innovation. You will be supported by a strong local infrastructure and benefit from collaborative working across the wider health and social care system.
We welcome applications from enthusiastic, skilled Occupational Therapists who are passionate about improving outcomes for people with complex mental health needs and who are committed to upholding NHS values.
Main Duties of the Job
- Providing professional and clinical leadership for Occupational Therapy across community services
- Supporting and developing a diverse OT workforce at different stages of their careers
- Shaping pathways and contributing to service transformation alongside the wider leadership team
- Strengthening the visibility and impact of Occupational Therapy within multidisciplinary teams
- Driving a focus on meaningful outcomes and demonstrating the value of occupational approaches
- Creating consistency, quality, and identity across the Occupational Therapy workforce
Qualifications
- Graduate qualified Occupational Therapist, fully registered with the appropriate professional or regulatory body (HCPC)
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development through access to relevant courses
- A recognised management qualification
Experience
- Clinical professional leadership experience within a Children and Young Peoples service
- Experience of clinically supervising and managing less experienced colleagues
- Experience of working in a multi‑agency and/or multi‑disciplinary team
- Working in an NHS environment
Person Specification
An experienced Occupational Therapist ready to lead at a system level while staying grounded in practice. Strong professional identity and credibility, experience of leading or developing others across teams or services, confidence to influence beyond your own discipline, ability to navigate change and uncertainty constructively, and a focus on improving outcomes for service users. Band 8a experience is not required, but readiness for that level of impact is essential.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a Disclosure and Barring Service check to confirm suitability.
Employer Name
NELFT North East London Foundation Trust
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