OverviewThe Band 6 Specialist Occupational Therapist will provide high-quality client-centred occupational therapy to mothers admitted to Thumbswood Mother and Baby Unit who are experiencing moderate to severe perinatal mental health difficulties. Working within a multidisciplinary team, the Occupational Therapist will address occupational needs, including personal care, parenting roles, routine-building, and mother-infant bonding.

The post holder will deliver individual and group interventions that promote recovery, develop occupational identity and enhance maternal functioning. They will contribute to risk assessment, discharge planning, and safeguarding, while supporting a trauma-informed and family-centred approach to care.

This post includes a strong leadership component with opportunities to supervise junior staff and contribute to service development within the perinatal mental health pathway.

Main duties of the job

Conduct functional and occupational assessment focusing on maternal roles, self care, parenting, daily routines and mother-infant interaction.

Deliver individualised and group-based Occupational Therapy interventions to promote recovery, confidence in parenting, and meaningful engagement in daily life.

Plan, deliver and evaluate support groups for example baby massage, creative groups, routine planning and well being.

Identify and address sensory and environmental factors affecting occupational performance.

Monitor and manage risk including maternal mental health risk factors, such as self-neglect, suicidal ideation, and safeguarding concerns.

Support timely discharge by liaising with community perinatal team and developing functional discharge plans.

To maintain clinical records.

Participate in regular MDT meetings, ward rounds, CPA reviews and safeguarding discussions.

To work with service users and carers within the setting.

To liaise with voluntary or other organisations as appropriate.

Communication Requirements

To establish effective communication networks with users and carers, team members, OT colleagues and other agencies.

To participate or work as a member of the multidisciplinary team, contributing to decisions with regard to service user care programmes.

To provide support and education to service users and carers regarding aspects of occupational therapy - e.g. changing of roles and routines upon becoming a parent.

Clinical Responsibility

To assess, plan, delivery and evaluate occupational therapy for women experiencing perinatal mental illness.

Formulate person-centred, occupation-focused care plans that reflect the needs of both mother and infant.

Provide specialist Occupational Therapy reports and recommendations to the MDT and external agencies.

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of perinatal conditions (e.g. postnatal depression, anxiety, postpartum psychosis, PTSD) and their occupational impact.

Support clinical risk assessments, safeguarding procedures, and referrals as needed.

Use clinical supervision and reflective practice to maintain high standards of care.

Leadership and Staff Management Responsibility

To provide supervision, mentoring, and appraisal to Band 5 OT, Nursery nurses and students.

Contribute to the development and delivery of OT-specific training for ward staff and students.

Participate in audit, service evaluation, and quality improvement projects within the MBT and wider perinatal service.

Promote the role and value of Occupational Therapy role within the MDT and across the service.

Actively participate in CPD, in-service training, and Trust-wide occupational therapy forums.

Financial Responsibility

To be responsible for maintaining stock, advising on resources to carry out the job, including the responsible management of petty cash.

To ensure Health and Safety Regulations and Data Protection Act Regulations are observed and instituted.

To be responsible for the safekeeping and use of equipment and materials.

Service Development and Improvement

To monitor and evaluate treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of the intervention and feedback to appropriate forum.

To participate in the planning, evaluation and audit of practice, clinical pathways and protocols within your area.

To participate in the delivery of the OT development plan.

To take part in risk assessment and to attend mandatory training sessions.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

To apply acquired skills and knowledge of professional practice in order to develop fitness to practice as an OT.

To maintain a professional portfolio for CPD recording learning outcomes through participation in internal development opportunities.

To demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate current research and apply to practice.

To comply with the COT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and national and Trust procedures.

To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of service users and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.

Planning and Organisational Skills

To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.

To effectively plan own diary and appointments with service users and carers in conjunction with rotation setting service.

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