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Occupational Therapy Assistant

London, SE10 8AD
£29,137.50 per year
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This vacancy has expired.

About the role

Overview

London, SE10 8AD
Full Time
£29,137.50 per year
11 December 2025

Would you like to explore a rewarding career experience as an Occupational Therapy Assistant?

 

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 Therapy Assistant

Working hours – 37.5 Hours per week

Salary: £29,137.50 p/a

Service Line: Low Secure Mental health; Acute/ PICU

Location: Cygnet Hospital Blackheath, 80-82 Blackheath Hill, London, SE10 8AD

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

 

Summary of the site: Cygnet Hospital Blackheath is a 2 ward hospital providing PICU and a low secure mental health service. We are currently looking for an Occupational Therapist to join our Occupational Therapy Team at Blackheath. You would mostly be based on our low secure unit which provides recovery and rehabilitation approaches to enable service users to lead full and independent lives in the community; however, you will occasionally be expected to support on the PICU ward. We have a designated qualified OT on each ward as well as an OTA.

 

You will be an integral member of the Multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and OT department. The team consists of nurses, psychologists, psychology assistants, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, social workers, and psychiatrists as well as 24/7 support from the nursing team. This means that we are able to meet the changing needs of our service users as they progress through their care pathway.

 

Occupational Therapy Directorate

Under the leadership of our occupational therapy directors we support over 150 Occupational Therapists and over 300 OT support staff. Working together as a large team, we provide support to each other across the group, with the opportunity to be part of specialist interest groups & become involved in service development.

Every service line has a clinical lead occupational therapist to lead and develop evidence based practice and agreed occupational therapy pathway.

We ensure our occupational therapy team members have a voice through participating in service model development, utilising the expertise and support of our clinical lead occupational therapists.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Preceptorship & Induction:

Starting a new job can be daunting, which is why we have a robust induction process that enables you to shadow staff, discuss your learning and receive expert support to develop into your role. We offer an Occupational Therapy Assistant preceptorship programme in your first 12 months to support and consolidate core skills.  We also offer regular, virtual Q&A sessions with our clinical lead OT and networking with other OT Assistants in your service line.

 

5 reasons why you should make an application today…

  1. We care about people in our services
  2. Expert clinical supervision with an occupational therapist
  3. Induction & service line training in area of specialism
  4. Dedicated CPD time for peer support, skill development and specialist training
  5. We support and develop you to build skills and confidence for the next level in your career.

Cygnet Health Care Benefits

  • Free parking
  • Free meals for staff on duty
  • Relocation package available  
  • Group pension plan helping you save for your future
  • NHS Discount Cards & Blue Light Card (includes big brand discounts)
  • Wellbeing centre with exercises, recipes, financial and mental health advice.
  • 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: Jake Cartwright (Head of Occupational Therapy at Blackheath and Lewisham Lodge) at 020 8694 2111 / jakecartwright@cygnethealthcare.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

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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 Wing Blackheath

London
London & South East
SE10 8AD
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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.

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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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Training at Cygnet
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Colleague to colleague endorsements

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Tara

Support Worker SC
Recognised for
Resilience

Tara has stepped up as Acting Team Leader, confidently running some of the most challenging shifts, managing incidents and her team with positivity and resilience, earning clear respect and trust through her excellent communication with staff, seniors, and managers.

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Sylvia

Support Worker HC
Recognised for
Hard Work

Sylvia came from Gotts Park to support us when we were three staff down on Friday, showing great initiative by proactively helping with cleaning, including locating the hoover and even cleaning the dishwasher filter.

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Taryn

Support Worker SC
Recognised for
Positivity

Taryn is health-conscious and excels at promoting residents’ weight, health, and wellbeing through nutritious eating ideas. She positively impacted at least one resident by suggesting healthier food swaps and mentors all staff on healthy options, exercise, and movement.

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Vicky

Complaints Manager
Recognised for
Empathy

Mike and Vicky showed exceptional empathy during my mother’s loss, cancelling leave to manage team duties and shield me from pressures. They created grieving space with selfless teamwork and ongoing support true leadership beyond duty

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Rebecca

Therapy/Activity Coordinator HC Salaried
Recognised for
Comfort

Rebecca (Becca) excels as Activity Coordinator with heartfelt care and positivity, treating Spencer ward ladies as humans and building their confidence. Called unsung hero” by a discharged patient. Goes above and beyond daily.

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Najinder

Support Worker HC
Recognised for
Positivity

Jay has shown outstanding dedication and positivity supporting a service user facing activity engagement challenges. They proactively took him out, arranging headphones for comfort, demonstrating patience and care, resulting in his first incident-free day in a long time—a huge achievement.

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Paul

Maintenance Manager
Recognised for
Hard Work

The Sheffield maintenance team works tirelessly to keep the hospital and school running, no job too big or small. They respond promptly to needs, ensure safety, and always fit in school requests like marquees, lights, doors, and displays, all with smiles and positive interactions with young people. Their hard work is deeply appreciated.

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Michael

Complaints Assistant
Recognised for
Empathy

Mike and Vicky showed exceptional empathy during my mother’s loss, cancelling leave to manage team duties and shield me from pressures. They created grieving space with selfless teamwork and ongoing support— rue leadership beyond duty

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Mohamed

DS Service Desk Engineer
Recognised for
Hard Work

Mohamed went above and beyond late Friday afternoon to provide login details for a new starter, instantly pulling up the ticket, communicating well, and ensuring they were set up for Monday morning. This helped create a positive first impression at Cygnet.

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Olivia

Support Worker SC
Recognised for
Hard Work

I wanted to give a shout-out to Olivia for her incredible hard work lately. Seriously, it’s been so inspiring to see her dedication and effort on the team shes only limited to hand full of service users at present but She’s been crushing it, and I really appreciate all that she does to keep things running smoothly. thank you

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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