Blog Job search Resource Hub Get in touch Accessibility tools
0121 728 8111
recruitment@cygnethealth.co.uk
Change lives as a...

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Bury, BL8 2BS
£26,086 p/a
Arrow graphic

About the role

Overview

Bury, BL8 2BS
Full Time
£26,086 p/a
18 September 2025

Are you already an Occupational Therapy Assistant looking for a new challenge, or do you have a keen interest in this area of work and a desire to enhance your knowledge and understanding of Occupational Therapy.

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

OT Assistant to the Occupational Therapists in Acute Mental Health Service and PICU Service in Cygnet Hospital Dunes – Bury

We are looking for the ideal candidates for an OT Assistant role. We need people with some experience in the field of mental health, who can demonstrate an understanding of Occupational Therapy processes and interventions and can take a “hands on” approach. You will need to demonstrate excellent communication and time management skills. These services are fast paced, challenging and very rewarding.

Are you ready to develop your knowledge, skills and understanding of the Occupational Therapy profession within this role as an Occupational Therapy Assistant? This role offers a unique opportunity within male Acute and PICU mental health services, many of whom are detained under the Mental Health Act 1983; amended 2007.

Each ward in The Dunes Hospital has access to their own Occupational Therapy resources including an OT kitchen and an Activity Room in addition to other shared resources including a gym and a sensory room.

You will be responsible for providing direct clinical interventions under the direction of an experienced qualified Occupational Therapist. In this role you will assess, implement and develop an Occupational Therapy treatment programme to meet the patients’ needs to support them with their recovery in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team.  You will carry a clinical caseload on 2 wards under the direction of the OT. These wards offer support to patients experiencing complex mental health challenges, with behaviours that challenge.  You will be working closely with the multi-disciplinary teams for each ward. In house and external training is provided (as required) to support you to develop your professional skills.

Occupational Therapy Directorate

Under the leadership of our occupational therapy directors we support over 150 Occupational Therapists. 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.

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
  3. You will be 1 of 7 Occupational Therapy Assistants within the Cygnet Hospital Bury Site and 14 experienced Occupational Therapists also on-site to support your learning and development within the field of Occupational therapy in mental health services.
  4. National networks of over 150 OTs & over 300 OTAs and Activity Coordinators in the Cygnet Group within different specialisms including Forensic Practice, LD and ASD, Acute mental health, PICU, and inpatient CAMHS.
  5. Low caseload number to support intensive focused interventions.

Cygnet Health Care Benefits

  • Free parking
  • Free meals for staff on duty
  • 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: Heather Clift – Head OT – Cygnet Hospital Dunes Bury, heatherclift@cygnethealth.co.uk or Ruth Hudson – Regional Lead OT – Cygnet Bury Hospitals, ruthhudson@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.

mortgage insurance icon

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

maternity icon

Enhanced Maternity

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

life assurance icon

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 Bury Dunes

Bury
North West
BL8 2BS
Open in maps

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

Arrow graphic

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.

Arrow graphic

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! 🙂

Passion endorsement icon

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.

Passion endorsement icon

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

Arrow graphic
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
Life changing careers.
Disability Confident employer
Age Friendly employer
Armed forces Covenant.
Tent UK
Generation UK
Triangle of Care
Find us on Glassdoor.