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Occupational Therapy Assistant

Maidstone, ME14 5FT
£28612.50 per year, increasing to £29137.50 after probation
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About the role

Overview

Maidstone, ME14 5FT
Full Time
£28612.50 per year, increasing to £29137.50 after probation
11 July 2025

Post: Occupational Therapy Assistant

Salary: £28612.50, moves to £29137.50 after probation and after 18 months goes to £29662.50.

Base: Cygnet Hospital Maidstone, Gidds Pond Way, Weavering, ME14 5FT

Responsible for: Supporting Occupational Therapists to perform their role in the assessment, treatment and development of individuals in our care.

Responsible to: Head of Occupational Therapy (Line manager).

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Location: Cygnet Hospital Maidstone, Gidds Pond Way, Weavering, ME14 5FT

Service Line: Roseacre Ward, Female Personality Disorder Unit

 

Summary of the site: Cygnet Hospital Maidstone is our state-of-the-art, 63 bed mental health facility for adults situated in the Kent Medical Campus in Maidstone.

Cygnet Hospital Maidstone is purpose built to meet the latest national specifications for improving mental health within a therapeutic environment. The hospital will provide an important and much-needed service for local patients from Kent.

The hospital is split into four distinct wards, each offering specialist mental health services:

  • Roseacre Ward – Highly Specialised Personality Disorder service for women
  • Kingswood Ward – High Dependency Rehabilitation service for men
  • Bearsted Ward – Specialist PICU Service for Men
  • Saltwood Ward – Male low secure ward

 

The hospital’s services have been requested and agreed by local and regional NHS bodies to meet the urgent demand for specialist mental health services within Kent. The aim is to ensure that local people can be treated close to home and as near as possible to their friends and family.

Summary of the ward: Roseacre is Cygnet Hospital Maidstone’s Personality Disorder service for Women.  Roseacre supports women with a history of Personality Disorder, self-harm and trauma. You do not need experience in Personality Disorder services; however a willingness to learn new skills.

By combining a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach and state-of-the-art facilities, we deliver high-quality care within a community atmosphere, while focusing on discharge planning from the moment individuals arrive.

Our recovery programme is delivered in a culture that balances risk management with therapeutic optimism, where men have the opportunity to learn and practice the skills they will need in a completely safe environment.

MDT: There is a highly experienced Multi-Disciplinary Team made up of a consultant psychiatrist, specialty doctor, occupational therapist, psychologist, assistant psychologist, social worker, registered mental health nurses and healthcare assistants.

 

In this role you will:

  • Deliver planned activities for patients under the direction of the ward Occupational Therapist (OT) and Multidisciplinary Team
  • Assist the OT in the day to day duties and running of the department
  • Undertake assessment and intervention programmes with clients as delegated by a senior occupational therapist underpinned by appropriate experience / knowledge
  • Contribute ideas, create and facilitate events and activities safely and support people to structure their time through meaningful activity
  • Have involvement in the delivery of one to one and group interventions
  • Implement individual care plans during activity sessions and take into account specific interests and opportunities to promote choice and independence

If you feel you suit the criteria and have an interest in mental health and Occupational Therapy, then please make an application today. 

5 reasons why you should make an application today…

  1. We care about people in our services
  2. We are a very supportive and friendly team
  3. You will be an integral part of a large, well established MDT with extensive experience to draw from
  4. We offer lots of in-service training in OT assessments and interventions
  5. We support the learning and professional growth of our staff members and offer e-learning and training opportunities on a multitude of mental health topics

The Successful Candidate should be/have:

  • A good understanding of mental health diagnosis
  • Knowledge of recovery approaches and social inclusion
  • Experience of supporting service users with mental illness
  • A relevant healthcare qualification is desirable
  • Effective communication skills, good organisations skills and a positive attitude

In return we will offer you:

  • A competitive salary of £28612.50 pa
  • Opportunities to undertake further learning and development.
  • Training days provided by highly experienced and renowned OT specialists
  • Regular supervision with experienced Occupational Therapists on site as well as peer support
  • Company pension scheme; Life insurance and health plan
  • NHS Discount Cards & Blue Light Card
  • Free parking & meals on duty

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.

 

*Please note – speculative recruitment 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 Hospital Maidstone

Maidstone
London & South East
ME14 5FT
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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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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

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Beverley

Team Leader
Recognised for
Support
Recognised by

Langdale House have recently started transition work with an individual who will be moving into our home. Bev was happy to support Langdale by being involved in the transition and feeding back relevant information which has supported managers to build up a comprehensive care plan prior to admission to Langdale.

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Mercy

Night Support Worker
Recognised for
Support
Recognised by

Langdale House have recently started transition work with an individual who will be moving into our home. Mercy was happy to support Langdale by being involved in the transition and feeding back relevant information which has supported managers to build up a comprehensive care plan prior to admission to Langdale.

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Idris

Night Senior
Recognised for
Resilience
Recognised by

The work in service can sometimes go on forever at night, but not while Mr. Idris is working. He usually approaches each task with concentration and a sense of humour, and he never gives up until he ensures that it is finished. Mr. Idris frequently eases his coworkers with funny jokes and enjoys bringing them along. Weldone Mr Idris.

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Eziaku

Night Support Worker
Recognised for
Support
Recognised by

Langdale House have recently started transition work with an individual who will be moving into our home. Ezi was happy to support Langdale by being involved in the transition and feeding back relevant information which has supported managers to build up a comprehensive care plan prior to admission to Langdale.

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Steven

ATL
Recognised for
Support
Recognised by

Langdale House have recently started transition work with an individual who will be moving into our home. Steve was happy to support Langdale by being involved in the transition and feeding back relevant information which has supported managers to build up a comprehensive care plan prior to admission to Langdale.

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Victoria

ATL
Recognised for
Support
Recognised by

Langdale House have recently started transition work with an individual who will be moving into our home. Tori was happy to support Langdale by being involved in the transition and feeding back relevant information which has supported managers to build up a comprehensive care plan prior to admission to Langdale.

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Enite

Senior Support Worker
Recognised for
Hard Work
Recognised by

The Outwood Night Team- We have had shifts consistently available due to being unable to recruit to them for a variety of reasons. Over the last year this team have worked so hard to ensure that the shifts are covered, they work together to ensure consistency for the residents as well as to support each other. Their hard work has meant that we very rarely run short and we always can meet the needs of the residents. They are a great team and a great support to the effective running of the service.

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Robert

support worker
Recognised for
Support
Recognised by

Robert supported an individual to hospital following a significant head injury, he remained calm and ensured the individual received medical attention

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Pamela

support worker
Recognised for
Hard Work
Recognised by

Pam has gone above and beyond to support the service over the past 2 months. The service is currently dealing with a shortage of team leaders, during this time Pam has offered to support with shift leading & medication administration, this support has been invaluable to the service and has ensured the service is staffed safely, avoiding agency use

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Catherine

Nurse
Recognised for
Communication
Recognised by

Catherine is an exceptional nurse with outstanding clinical and, especially, communication skills. She clearly and compassionately explain complex medical information, fostering trust and easing anxiety in patients and families. Their strong communication also promotes a positive and collaborative work environment.

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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