Band 3 Occupational Therapy Support Worker

Occupational Therapies (OT) are a specialist intervention team offering interventions to help individuals overcome challenges and enable them to do what they need and want to do, striving for a balance in self‑care, productivity and leisure. This could include regaining or maintaining their ability to perform daily tasks, participate in meaningful activities and supporting their functional recovery.

We have an exciting and rare opportunity for an individual to join our team as an OT Assistant, and hopefully join the OT apprenticeship in September 2026, a first step to becoming a qualified OT.

It is essential that the applicant meets the entry requirements for the apprenticeship and is committed to learning and completing the full course, alongside working three days a week. This is initially a one‑year fixed‑term role working full time as an OT Support Worker, which would be extended on successful passing of the probation period, acceptance by UWE onto the apprenticeship course, and the support of your Supervisor on the ward.

The role would then be extended for the duration of the apprenticeship for four years. We will endeavour to have a B5 OT job available in AWP on completion, but cannot guarantee this.

This role will be predominantly based on Applewood ward at Sandalwood Court (adult acute mental health ward).

• Support the delivery of therapeutic interventions on Applewood ward, including supporting the Occupational Therapists with assessments, groups, and treatment plans using the Occupational Therapy process.
• Work within the multidisciplinary team and engage with on‑the‑job learning, clinical placements and university modules if offered an apprenticeship.
• Maintain high levels of professionalism, flexibility and excellent communication skills to work effectively in this role. Demonstrate previous experience in a health‑care setting, particularly mental‑health focused and group work.

Eligibility criteria for apprenticeships are dictated by the National Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and the UK government. Within the funding rules it stipulates that to be eligible for an apprenticeship:

We will be required to check the above eligibility criteria before an unconditional offer of employment, which includes the apprenticeship programme, can be made. If a candidate is unable to meet the required entry level for the apprenticeship, then they will be unable to commence the future apprenticeship element of this post.

We as a Trust have no jurisdiction on the funding rules set by the ESFA or Government therefore we are unable to employ ineligible applicants into this apprenticeship position.