Job summary
Employer heading
AHP Therapy Assistant
NHS AfC: Band 4
Welcome from our Chief Executive
Our organisation is expanding and we're looking for people with the right values, skills and/or potential to join us. We need people with energy, expertise, enthusiasm to help us provide the very best possible specialist NHS mental health and learning disability care. This involves helping us achieve our strategy to improve the quality of life for the communities we serve through People, Prevention and Partnerships.
So what can we offer you in return?
We're an organisation which puts people first. We'll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. We'll help you learn, acquire new skills and gain further experience to support your career development. And we'll provide the opportunity for you to bring your fresh ideas to work about how we can do things differently and continue improving.
You will also be joining a health and care system committed to working together to do the best we can for the communities we serve. Above all, at Sussex Partnership you'll have the chance to make a difference to the lives of the patients, carers and families across our communities.
As a Trust we are committed in making a difference. Your development is important to us, so don't forget to ask us during interview what opportunities we can offer. We can offer fully funded lifelong learning opportunities such as an apprenticeship from GCSE to Masters level.
If you like the sound of that, then come and join our team.
Job overview
Are you keen to work a fascinating and ever-changing environment?
Are you curious, creative and always looking for new learning opportunities and ways to implement this into practice?
We have a Band 4 Allied Health Profession Therapy Assistant vacancy in our central therapies team at the Hellingly Centre, a medium and low secure inpatient service for male and female service users.
Forensic mental healthcare is a unique and fascinating field which provides both challenge and opportunity in abundance.
At the Hellingly Centre, we specialise in the assessment and treatment of people with complex and enduring mental health needs, who have had contact with the criminal justice system.
You will be working with service users who have committed criminal offences, but have also often been victims themselves. Service users regularly experience stigma for both mental health and offending history, so our role is to develop trusting and safe relationships which balance being compassionate, collaborative and supportive with sound risk assessment and management skills.
Main duties of the job
We are introducing a new Allied Health Profession (AHP) Therapy Assistant role into our central therapies team. As an AHP therapy assistant, you will play a pivotal role in supporting service users to enhance their health and wellbeing.
You will:
- Work together with allied health professions, service users' and their care teams to support effective communication and the engagement in a range of meaningful activities.
- Provide feedback and contribute to holistic care plans, aiding service users' recovery and journey through secure services.
- Have the opportunity to assist with planning and delivering individual and group sessions, across various domains, including: nature-based - at the on-site allotment, ward gardens and in the community, the Recovery Through Activity programme, education, other vocational roles, e.g. the on-site shop, cooking and baking, music, sensory exploration and modulation, physical activity, art and creativity and participation opportunities.
Working for our organisation
The Hellingly Centre is a modern purpose built medium secure unit specialising in the assessment and treatment of people with complex and enduring mental health needs, who have had contact with the criminal justice system.
There are 4 specialist wards (2 male medium secure wards – Oak and Ash, 1 female medium secure ward – Blossom and 1 male low secure ward – Elm), each with a strong multi-disciplinary team.
We have a range of therapy facilities within the centre including: a gym, shop, music, woodwork and art rooms and Badger’s Café and allotment space on-site.
The centre is situated within the beautiful Hellingly Country Park and the Cuckoo Trail is also very close by. The local town, Hailsham is under 10 minutes away by car. There is a direct bus link to Eastbourne.
There is a small gym on-site which is available for staff to use. Badger's Cafe is on site and sells a good selection of hot drinks, meals and snacks. There is a large car park and parking is free.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Previous experience of working with people with mental health difficulties is essential. Any relevant qualifications that may support with the delivery of therapeutic interventions. There will be access to regular supervision, reflective practice and training and development opportunities, including attendance to communities of practice.
This role is full time (37.5 hours), typically across Monday - Friday. Flexible working requests will be considered.
Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details of the role and requirements.
Please apply using the link in this advert. For any further information or if you have any questions regarding the role, please contact Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapists:
Jessika Lack ([email protected]) or, Amy Boot ([email protected])
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- NVQ Level 3 Health care or equivalent in subject relevant to service area (B3)
Desirable criteria
- NVQ Level 4 Healthcare or equivalent in subject relevant to service area (B4)
– Knowledge/Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties
- Experience working as part of a team
- Experience of facilitating individual and group activities
- Experience of being supervised
- Experience of training others in technical/leisure/creative skills
Desirable criteria
- Experience of supervising others
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Jessika Lack
- Job title
- Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07393147430
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