Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist - #1689336

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust is the health provider for the delivery of an Integrated Mental Health Team (IMHT) at HMP Altcourse. The service is designed to support the holistic mental health needs of our client group in partnership with our Physical Healthcare and HMPPS partners.

HMP Altcourse is a Category B, male-only local prison in the Liverpool area.

Core aims of the service are to improve mental and psychological wellbeing via a range of interventions, build the development of independent core skills, reduce risk, and advocate for mental health within the wider prison.

The post holder will join a dedicated team of clinicians from diverse backgrounds. Team members are highly skilled, passionate, enthusiastic, and committed to the ongoing development of the service and the opportunities it offers our population.

We are recruiting a Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist to provide leadership and oversight to ensure effective delivery of an Occupational Therapy service. The post holder will be clinically responsible for assessments, individual and group therapeutic interventions, and evaluating service effectiveness. This includes promoting occupational, psychological, recreational, and supportive activities to meet prisoners' holistic needs.

The candidate should have extensive experience working with individuals with complex clinical and risk presentations, including within institutional settings and multidisciplinary teams. Experience working with clients who may find it difficult to engage with services is essential.

Experience in complex service and organizational settings is required, along with the ability to manage personal, professional, and ethical challenges constructively.

We prioritize staff development and value diverse clinical interests, fostering an empowered, reflective, and supportive team environment, given the challenging nature of this work.

Mersey Care is one of the largest providers of physical and mental health services in the North West, serving over 1.4 million people and covering regions including North Wales and the Midlands. We offer inpatient and community services across physical health, mental health, learning disability, addiction, and brain injury sectors, including high secure mental health facilities.

Our core commitment is to 'perfect care'—safe, effective, positive, timely, equitable, and efficient. We support staff development and collaborate with service users, families, and carers to shape future services. We are implementing organizational and service transformations to enhance quality and reduce costs.

Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.

Provide leadership and highly specialist clinical expertise in Occupational Therapy for service users with mental health needs within a custodial setting.

Deliver an inclusive, evidence-based, and outcome-focused Occupational Therapy service.

Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop and coordinate person-centered treatment and care pathways.

Offer clinical expertise to guide and influence the therapeutic approach, supporting registered nurses, psychologists, medical staff, speech and language therapists, and support staff in providing meaningful occupational, recreational, and educational activities.

• Diploma/Degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy


• Evidence of post-qualified study, short courses, and CPD


• Health and Care Professions Council Registration


• Postgraduate qualification relevant to the role

• Current legislation and initiatives related to mental illness


• Clinical and environmental assessment & management of risk


• Knowledge of Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended by Mental Health Act 2007)


• Knowledge of Mental Capacity Act 2005


• Knowledge of relational security 'See Think Act' (DoH, 2010)


• Minimum three years post-qualification experience as an Occupational Therapist


• Supervision of staff and students


• Development of Occupational Therapy services


• Application of Occupational Therapy models, assessments, and outcome measures


• Research and clinical audit involvement


• AMPS training


• Experience with Personality Disorder, Autism, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Sensory Integration, OCAIRS, MOHOST, VQ, ACIS, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy


• Experience working in forensic services


• Line management of non-OT staff


• Familiarity with Electronic Patient Records (EPR) systems


• Understanding of the Model of Human Occupation and its assessment tools

• Accountability


• Support


• Responsiveness to service users


• Engaging leadership


• Transparency and honesty


• Discretion

• Leadership qualities


• Training, advice, and guidance skills


• Assessment and clinical report writing aligned with CPA and RCoOT guidelines


• Clinical expertise and complex caseload management


• Clinical and service development skills


• Autonomous and team working abilities


• Managerial skills


• Role modeling


• Basic IT skills


• Research project design and implementation


• Reflective and critical appraisal skills

This role requires a DBS check due to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

Clinical Service Manager (registered OT)