Occupational Therapist Assistant

About The Role UNLOCK YOUR BEST WORK LIFE + MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO EVERY LIFE We have an exciting opportunity for a Occupational Therapist Assistant to join our Mental Health team at HMP Thameside, a category B Prison located in London. HMP Thameside is a male resettlement prison based in London with a capacity for 1232 inmates. An Assistant Occupational Therapist within the UK’s Health in Justice system supports registered OTs in delivering therapeutic interventions. The goal is to help individuals with complex mental health, neurodiversity, or physical needs develop functional daily living skills, engage in meaningful activities, and prepare for community release

Hours Monday - Friday

0800 - 1600

Salary This position is full time, you’ll receive an annual salary up to £36,151 per annum

How will we support you?

• Bespoke induction, including our Introducing Health in Justice training course
• Competency framework
• Regional and national career development opportunities
• Our bespoke Learning Management System to address your learning needs
• Support from the wider team

Candidates are required to have a Legal right to work in the UK and due to the nature of the role, offers of employment will be subject to additional vetting and security checks. What you’ll be doing

As a Occupational Therapist Assistant, your responsibilities will vary. You will

• Caseload Management: Hold and manage an individual, supervised caseload for patients with straightforward needs, often focusing on the Neurodiversity or Psychologically Informed Planned Environment (PIPE) pathways.
• Group & 1:1 Interventions: Plan, co-facilitate, and evaluate therapeutic groups and psycho-educational sessions (e.g., life skills, self-regulation, anger management) under the guidance of a qualified OT.
• Daily Living Activities: Assess and support individuals with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as personal care, budgeting and meal preparation.
• Risk & Safeguarding: Follow strict prison security and safeguarding procedures, conduct basic risk assessments, and report any changes in a patient’s physical or mental state to the multi-disciplinary team.
• Equipment Provision: Identify, order, and demonstrate the use of basic daily living equipment or environmental adaptations within the custodial setting.

If you are interested in career development, we have a wide range of opportunities for you to develop your skills and experience, which include both internal and external options for development and learning.

It doesn’t stop there … we also offer:

• Discounts on shopping and leisure activities
• Support to grow in your role and continue your professional development
• 24/7 employee assistance helpline and financial assistance when you need it

What we’ll look for in you

The Health in Justice team at Practice Plus Group makes a real difference across over 53 prisons, young offenders and immigration removal centres. We’re the UK’s leading independent provider of NHS services to over 40,000 patients in secure environments, always putting their needs first, regardless of their background.

Practice Plus Group’s purpose is to Unlock your best work life and we stand by our core values:

• we treat patients and each other as we would like to be treated
• we act with integrity
• we embrace diversity
• we strive to do things better together

We are looking for caring, compassionate but also driven professionals who can help us drive our vision for a fair and inclusive healthcare access to all.

• Relevant NVQ/Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care, or working towards an OT qualification.
• Previous experience working in health, social care, or secure environments with individuals who have mental health conditions, neurodivergence, or challenging behaviours.

Although not essential ideal applicants would have experience in a hospital, community or prison environment.

Secure environments are one of the most challenging, yet rewarding places for healthcare professionals to work. If you’re looking for a role where you can develop your existing healthcare skills and learn something new every day in an environment that never stands still, then this could be the right opportunity for you.