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Job summary

Main area
Occupational Therapy
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday 9am- 5pm (exc. Bank Holidays))
Job ref
354-CS-21646-C
Employer
Sussex Partnership NHS FoundationTrust
Employer type
NHS
Site
New Park House
Town
Horsham
Salary
£37,338 - £44,962 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
17/04/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Sussex Partnership NHS FoundationTrust logo

Lead Practitioner Early Intervention in Psychosis

NHS AfC: Band 6

Come and join us

We're looking for people who share our values (compassion, accountability and optimism) to help us provide high quality care to the patients, carers, families and local communities we serve. We specialise in providing NHS mental health and learning disability services.

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

This is an exciting opportunity to join a small, progressive Early Intervention in Psychosis Service based in Horsham, supporting clients with First Episode Psychosis to have a positive, hopeful and meaningful experience of mental health services.

We are looking to recruit an Occupational Therapist, to work as a Lead Practitioner, to complement our existing multidisciplinary Early Intervention in Psychosis service based at New Park House in Horsham.

Horsham Early Intervention Service is a small team of passionate, talented and creative individuals, offering a wide range of specialisms.  If you would like to gain experience of working in a specialist mental health service and make a real difference to the lives of those living with Psychosis and their recovery, using your professional training and skills, please apply.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicants will support a small caseload of clients aged 14-65, with suspected/ confirmed First Episode Psychosis, or those with At Risk Mental State, in the community from point of referral to discharge, providing effective care co-ordination for up to 3 years.

Through developing therapeutic relationships, you will work collaboratively with clients to create person centred care and treatment plans which aim to reduce their distress, maintain independence, prevent relapse and social inclusion. Involving and working with friends and family members is seen as a key component to the way care is delivered.

Previous experience of supporting clients with mental health and social care difficulties is beneficial, and you will be supported to develop specialist knowledge and skills to support those presenting with First Episode of Psychosis. It is important the successful applicants have a keen interest in understanding the principles and ethos of early intervention and this client group. You can find out more information about our approach here: What is Early Intervention in Psychosis? (likemind.nhs.uk)

Working for our organisation

This small, friendly, multi-disciplinary team is based at New Park House in Horsham, situated in front of Horsham Park, a short walk from the train station and within walking distance of the town centre shops and cafes. Horsham is within easy reach of Brighton, Crawley and the surrounding areas.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an expanding team within Sussex EIP.  The Horsham EIP team is one of 6 Early Intervention in Psychosis teams provided by the Trust. The teams have a single service-wide governance group which oversees and leads on the delivery of care.

You will be supported by the team leader and the wider MDT via clinical supervision, managerial supervision, and professional supervision with our EIP Professional leads. We also have regular MDT zoning meetings and risk discussions, team learning spaces and case formulation meetings.

As a service we offer a real commitment to support your continuing professional development through a variety of internal and external training opportunities and university accredited courses.

The base for this post is in Horsham however the team regularly works flexibly and remotely using a range of digital solutions for meetings and consultations. Due to the community care aspect of the role, access to a car and valid driving licence is essential.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The role of Lead Practitioners is to work in partnership with service users with complex health and social care needs, developing their care and recovery plans to enable them to lead fulfilling lives, using NICE recommended interventions and an assertive outreach approach. The successful applicants will demonstrate an understanding of interventions relevant to clients with Psychosis, working closely with carers, families and partner agencies to facilitate this.

The post holder will work at all times to promote the safety and the well-being of service users and their families/carers. They will be involved in the triaging and assessment of referrals to the services, as well as assess, plan and implement care, provide specialist advice and carry out specialist assessments.

For more details, please  refer to Job Description and Person Specification.

If you are looking to increase your community experience or want to gain experience of working in a specialist mental health service, please don't hesitate to contact Rachel Yard for more information.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Registered Practitioner with current registration [mental health/LD/Adult/Social Work/OT], appropriate to the job role
  • Completion of Mentorship Course/ENB equivalent
  • Evidence of continuous professional development

Knowledge/Experience

Essential criteria
  • Significant post qualifying experience in the relevant care group
  • Experience of working alongside people with psychosis and complex health and social care problems in the designated care group
  • Experience of providing a range of clinical interventions to people in the designated care group with a variety of health problems
  • Experience of working consultatively with professionals
  • Experience of conducting clinical assessments including risk assessments
  • Experience of partnership working within and across various statutory and non statutory teams and agencies
  • Experience of working within the CPA process
  • Understanding of clinical governance
  • Previous experience of working in the community

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyDisability confident leaderDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - BronzeCare quality commission - GoodArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardStep into healthPride In Veterans

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Rachel Yard
Job title
Team Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0300 304 0236
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