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Occupational Therapist (Band 5)

Weston-Super-Mare, BS22 9UZ
Up to £33,777 per year (DoE & completion of preceptorship)
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About the role

Overview

Weston-Super-Mare, BS22 9UZ
Full Time
Up to £33,777 per year (DoE & completion of preceptorship)
7 May 2025

Are you an Occupational Therapist who would like to explore a rewarding career experience in mental health?

Cygnet encourages applications from newly qualified, or soon to be qualified, Occupational Therapists. Cygnet is a great place to launch your career in Occupational Therapy, offering lots of learning opportunities and support.  We provide a monthly Band 5 development programme, a 12-month OT preceptorship supported by your supervisor with peer support from other Band 5s too, and weekly 1:1s with your supervisor to help you feel empowered and supported in your role.

About Us

Cygnet Health Care was established in 1988 as an independent provider of health and social care services in England, Scotland and Wales.

Your role: Occupational Therapist (Band 5/Newly Qualified)

Working hours: 37.5 Hours per week

Salary:  Up to £33,777 per year (Depending on experience and following completion of preceptorship) 

Service Lines: Mental Health Adults (Mental Health Rehabilitation, Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit – PICU, Acute, Personality Disorder)

Location: Cygnet Hospital Kewstoke, Weston-Super-Mare, BS22 9UZ

Responsible to: Head of Occupational Therapy and Regional Lead Occupational Therapist

Your role: You would be responsible for the assessment and treatment of occupational dysfunction for patients on your allocated caseload, including the delivery of person centred group and individual therapy sessions. You will work with a full multidisciplinary team in a coordinated way to support each service user to develop their skills and move through our clinical model of care from admission to discharge. You will have the support of an Occupational Therapy Assistant and work closely with other therapists from different disciplines, including music therapy, dance and movement therapy, activity coordinators, assistant psychologists and the Active Life team. You will receive regular clinical supervision from an experienced Occupational Therapist on-site, including weekly 1:1 check in’s.

Summary of the site

Cygnet Kewstoke is a 71 bedded mental health hospital which provides emergency acute and PICU admission services for men and women, a pathway for men to rehabilitation as well as a specialist female service for personality disorder. The Occupational Therapy team of 11 work across all wards to provide high quality and person centred therapy sessions. Cygnet Kewstoke are developing co-produced and therapeutic spaces across the site and extensive grounds, allowing multiple opportunities for staff and patient development and engagement, from a service user led café to farm/horticulture area on the grounds, as well as on-site gym and therapy rooms. The hospital is in a small village near Weston-Super-Mare, close to the beach and other nature settings but also a stone’s throw away from a vibrant seaside town.

The Occupational Therapy Directorate

Every service line has a Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist to guide and develop evidence based practice and agreed occupational therapy pathway for each specific client group. This includes Cygnet developed guidelines and assessments. Each Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist hosts service line meetings regularly, in which you will link in with other Occupational Therapists in the company based in the same service line, providing a valuable networking and development opportunity. Specific CPD and training opportunities are also available and tailored to individual and service needs. 

For newly qualified Occupational Therapists we offer a comprehensive 12 month preceptorship programme in order to consolidate and develop your skills. For more insight into life as an OT at Cygnet Health Care visit;

https://join.cygnethealth.co.uk/ot-life/

Here you can listen to the opinions, stories and advice from our exceptional OTs – it could help the next step in your career.

5 reasons why you should make an application today…

  1. We care about people in our services
  2. Career pathway progression within the company to support your development and skills, including sensory integration training, leadership and management training, VdTMoCA, MOHO or Group Therapy, amongst others.
  3. You will be an integral part of a large, well established MDT with extensive experience to draw from.
  4. Dedicated CPD time being part of a national network of over 150 OTs in the Cygnet Group within different specialisms including LD and ASD, Acute mental health, and High Support Inpatient Rehabilitation Services. Induction & service line training in area of specialism.
  5. You will be a part of a friendly and supportive team of 5 OTs and 5 OTAs who are driven to provide excellence and where innovation and creativity are welcomed with enthusiasm.

The Successful Candidate should be/ have:

  • A registered Occupational Therapist with the HCPC (Health Care Professions Council).
  • An understanding of working with individuals diagnosed with mental health conditions, dual diagnosis, sensory processing difficulties or complex trauma.
  • An understanding of Occupational Therapy process/interventions and taking a “hands on” approach.
  • Excellent communication and time management skills
  • Passionate about student education
  • Ability to manage highly demanding clinical presentations
  • Interest in the field of mental health

In return we will offer you:

  • A competitive salary
  • Free parking and free meals for staff on duty
  • Opportunities for CPD and to undertake further learning and development. For example: Leadership & Management and Sensory Modulation.
  • Training days provided by highly experienced and renowned OT specialists
  • Expert clinical supervision and peer support
  • Bi-monthly OT CPD meetings focused on skill and strategic service development.
  • Group pension: a generous pension plan helping you save for your future.
  • NHS Discount Cards & Blue Light Card – includes big brand discounts.
  • Plus much more…

A career at Cygnet comes with excellent benefits. Whether it’s saving you money on the high street, with healthcare, holidays & leisure – or securing your future with professional development and a pension – we support you to be happy both in & out of work.

Apply now to enjoy excellent career prospects while reaping the rewards of making a difference to others – every day.

If you would like to discuss this role with the recruiting occupational therapist or arrange an informal visit, we’d be more than happy to facilitate this. Please contact: Josh Jones (Regional Lead Occupational Therapist) via email on joshuajones@cygnethealth.co.uk

Requirements

The successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS and reference check and an offer of employment will be subject to successful clearance.

*Recruitment agencies please note: Speculative emails are not to be sent directly to our clinical staff, these need to go via our internal recruitment team. If speculative candidates are sent directly to a member of the clinical team, we will consider these candidates as our own*

Benefits & Rewards

Group pension icon

Group Pension

We’ll look after you beyond Cygnet by helping you save for your future with a pension scheme. Cygnet provides a monthly contribution into your pot for every month you actively pay in.

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Free Mortgage Broker & Insurance Cover

Cygnet understands that buying a home is probably the biggest and most important financial decision for most of us. As a result we have partnered with L&C to offer free mortgage advice, free insurance cover and receive a voucher on completion of your mortgage

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Enhanced Maternity

In addition to statutory pay, Cygnet provides enhanced maternity pay.

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Free Life Assurance Cover

Cygnet provides a Group Life assurance scheme which pays out a lump sum benefit to your family or next of kin in the event of your death whilst employed by Cygnet.

Plan your commute

Cygnet Hospital Kewstoke

Weston-Super-Mare
South West
BS22 9UZ
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Our application process

Application Submission
01
Step 1

Application Submission

Your application is received and reviewed by our recruitment team.
Automated Confirmation
02
Step 2

Automated Confirmation

You’ll receive an automated email confirming receipt of your application.
Application Review
03
Step 3

Application Review

We carefully review applications, considering factors like visa status, location, and experience.
Initial Screening
04
Step 4

Initial Screening

If your application is suitable, you’ll be contacted by the recruiter to arrange a telephone screening call.
Interview
05
Step 5

Interview

If you meet the screening criteria, you’ll be invited for an interview, which normally takes place in person at the site you’re applying to.
Feedback and Offer
06
Step 6

Feedback and Offer

Following the interview, you’ll receive feedback, and if successful, a verbal job offer that will be followed up with a written job offer and onboarding information.

Support for Your Job Application

From refining your CV to preparing for your interview, our free career resources give you the tools and advice you need to feel confident at every stage.
Stories from our staff
Quote marks
OT's have the biggest opportunities to change somebody's life
It is very challenging, but at the same time a very rewarding experience

88% of staff enjoy working for Cygnet

At Cygnet, you’ll work in incredible, inspiring teams and enjoy satisfying careers with plenty of opportunities to grow

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90% of staff said access to training has helped them in their role

No matter what your role is, we invest in your learning and development to help you achieve your career aspirations.

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Colleague to colleague endorsements

Support endorsement icon

Zachari

Support Worker
Recognised for
Support

Zachari recently supported a service user to visit home for the first time in sixteen years, which is an amazing achievement. It took lots of gentle persistent and encouragement but much to the amazement of his family the service user finally visited home and now plans to visit every other week.

Passion endorsement icon

Akwasi

Support Worker
Recognised for
Passion

Akwasi strives hard to always make sure that residents are happy and settled. He always engage lots of residents, his knowledge on makaton signs makes it more easier and nice to communicate with the residents who are non verbal. I therefore nominate him as he has got passion for the job and should keep it up.

Hard Work endorsement icon

Alice

Service Manager
Recognised for
Hard Work

It was one of our residents birthday yesterday. Alice organised a fantastic celebration. She invited residents from other services, arranged party foods, drinks, brought in an ice cream van and a bouncy castle. Everything was well planned and ran smoothly. A big thank you to Alice for her dedication and hard work and for making the day so special

Support endorsement icon

Tracy

Support Worker
Recognised for
Support

Tracy supported a service user who was very unwell, staying with him at hospital and ensuring she was with him in the days following his recovery as a familiar face and source of comfort. Tracy has shown commitment and dedication to the service and service users and will always advocate for anyone she feels is not being heard or recognised.

Support endorsement icon

Zaynah

Administrator
Recognised for
Support

I would like to nominate Zaynah for her exceptional support and dedication. During a colleagues unforeseen absence, Zaynah stepped up without hesitation taking on additional responsibilities to support the team. Her positive attitude and willingness to go above and beyond made a significant difference during this time. Thank you Zaynah! 🙂

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Zendor

Ward Manager
Recognised for
Passion

Sunrise ward did not have a ward manager for a period of 8 months. In this time, Zendor acted up as the ward manager. He excelled in the manager role, and was praised by staff and service-users throughout this time for his dedication, care and willingness to go above and beyond. The ward would not have been able to function without him.

Support endorsement icon

Gaynor

Administrator
Recognised for
Support

Yesterday was one of our residents birthday party, Gaynor went above and beyond by taking extra time to help with preparing the party food and ensuring that everwhere was clean and tidy while managing her busy workloads in the office. Her dedication and support made a big difference and it didn’t go unnoticed.
Thank you Gaynor.

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Emma

Support Worker
Recognised for
Passion

Emma is extremely passionate about service users quality of life and their participation in meaningful activities.
She recently organised a day out for 3 service users and their staff to Harewood House. They enjoyed a walk in the house grounds and round the deer park, followed by a pub tea.
Throughly enjoyed by all.

Communication endorsement icon

Tolulope

Support Worker HC
Recognised for
Communication

I would like to nominate Tolu because of his good communication with residents. There was a day i supported a resident with Tolu. The resident was non verbal and he was unsettled as well. Tolu used his makaton skills and calm tone to communicate with the residents as the resident became settled.

Hard Work endorsement icon

Omoshola

Senior Support Worker/Team Leader HC
Recognised for
Hard Work

I would like to Nominate Omoshola for her amazing work and help to the nursing team when short staffed. Thank you so much Omoshola, just wanted you to know that I appreciate you so much. You’re the best senior we have, continue being you and keep up the good work. You deserve this award.

Click here to apply for a life changing career

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Speculative candidates or CVs sent to Cygnet by recruitment agencies/headhunters will be treated as a “free of charge” gesture. For further clarification, email recruitment@cygnethealth.co.uk
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