Senior Occupational Therapist

Job Summary

Are you a compassionate and motivated Occupational Therapist looking to make a real difference in peoples lives? Do you thrive in a dynamic, supportive, and forward thinking multidisciplinary team? If so, this could be the perfect next step in your career and a great opportunity to further develop your skills.

Band 6 Senior Occupational Therapist to join our established team within the Acute Service at the Cedars, Exeter (Delderfield Ward). This is a fantastic chance to broaden your experience, take on senior responsibilities, and contribute to a service supporting individuals during acute episodes in their mental health journey. You will be part of an OT provision which consists of one Band 6 OT, one Band 5 OT and OTAs within an ever growing and dynamic multidisciplinary team.

We are looking for a skilled, compassionate, and motivated Occupational Therapist who has the desire to work with individuals experiencing an acute episode in their mental health.

• Having an active role in shaping and evaluating the OT Pathway across our Acute Inpatient Services acting as a deputy advisor and support to the Occupational Therapists manager whilst maintaining clinical caseloads and working within an MDT.
• Implementing the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability (VdT MoCA) as the model of practice within the Acute Services.
• Bringing valued experience and skills to our teams and sharing specialist knowledge.
• Using evidence based, client‑centred principles to assess, plan, implement and review appropriate group and individual interventions for service users.
• Providing Occupational Therapy input as part of the multidisciplinary team, aiming for maximum independence for clients in self‑care, productivity and leisure.
• Providing professional leadership and line management of Band 5 OTs and OT support staff, under the supervision of the Advanced Occupational Therapist.

We are Devon Partnership NHS Trust, providing mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience – we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile;

making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

• Date posted: 03 February 2026
• Pay scheme:
  Agenda for change
• Band:
  Band 6
• Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 a year
• Contract:
  
  Permanent
• Working pattern:
  Full‑time, Flexible working
• Reference number: C-1
• Job location:
  
  Devon Partnership NHS Trust, Dryden Road, Exeter, EX2 5SN

• Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy
• Registration with the Health Professions Council
• Commitment to undertake continuing professional development

• IT Skills

• Sound theoretical understanding of OT practice and recovery principles within Mental Health settings.
• Experience of working in an inpatient setting.
• Understanding of therapeutic boundaries.
• Knowledge of mental health legislation and relevant NICE guidelines/national policies.
• Understanding of role of OT in the multidisciplinary team.
• Understanding of team dynamics.
• Sound Risk Assessment skills.