Inpatient Forensic Occupational Therapist

Job Summary We are seeking a skilled and compassionate Inpatient Forensic Occupational Therapist to join our multidisciplinary forensic mental health team. The successful candidate will provide assessment, intervention, and rehabilitation services to individuals within a secure inpatient setting who present with complex mental health needs, offending behaviours, and/or significant risks.

The Occupational Therapist will support service users in developing functional skills, emotional regulation, social participation, and recovery-oriented goals to promote independence, reduce risk, and facilitate successful reintegration into the community where appropriate.

Key ResponsibilitiesClinical Duties • Conduct comprehensive occupational therapy assessments, including functional ability, cognition, sensory needs, risk, and activities of daily living.

• Develop, implement, and evaluate person-centred treatment plans in collaboration with service users and the multidisciplinary team.


• Deliver evidence-based occupational therapy interventions in both individual and group settings.


• Facilitate therapeutic programmes focused on life skills, vocational skills, emotional regulation, leisure participation, social skills, and recovery.


• Promote engagement in meaningful occupation to improve mental health, wellbeing, and quality of life.


• Assess environmental risks and contribute to risk management plans within secure services.


• Maintain accurate, timely, and legally compliant clinical documentation and reports.

Multidisciplinary Working • Work collaboratively with psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, and support staff within a forensic setting.

• Participate in ward rounds, case conferences, CPA meetings, tribunals, and discharge planning processes.


• Provide specialist occupational therapy advice and consultation to the wider team.


• Support least restrictive practice and trauma-informed care approaches.

Professional Practice • Maintain professional registration and adhere to relevant professional standards and codes of conduct.

• Participate in clinical supervision, continuing professional development, and mandatory training.


• Contribute to service development, audit, research, and quality improvement initiatives.


• Supervise occupational therapy assistants, students, or junior staff where appropriate.

Person SpecificationEssential Criteria • Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy.

• Current registration with the relevant professional body (e.g., HCPC).


• Experience working within mental health services, preferably forensic or secure environments.


• Knowledge of recovery-oriented and trauma-informed practice.


• Strong understanding of risk assessment and risk management in forensic settings.


• Excellent communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills.


• Ability to manage complex and challenging behaviours professionally and therapeutically.

Desirable Criteria • Experience facilitating therapeutic groups in secure settings.

• Knowledge of MOHO, sensory integration, CBT-informed approaches, or vocational rehabilitation.


• Experience contributing to MDT reports and legal processes.


• Postgraduate training relevant to forensic mental health or occupational therapy practice.

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