Occupational therapy support worker apprentice - #1743289

Job Overview

Are you passionate about helping others live meaningful lives? Want to train as an Occupational Therapist while gaining hands-on experience in mental health?

Join us as an Occupational Therapy Degree Apprentice at CNWL. Based in the Queens Park & Paddington Community Mental Health Hub, you’ll work with an experienced multidisciplinary team supporting adults with severe and enduring mental health conditions. This is a fantastic opportunity to earn while you learn — combining paid work with university study, leading to a BSc (Hons) and eligibility to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Once qualified, you can apply for Band 5 Occupational Therapist roles within the Trust.

To apply, you must:

• Have Level 3 qualifications that meet university entry requirements (e.g. A-Levels, BTEC, Access to HE)
• Hold GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent)
• Be able to commit to full-time study and work for 3–4 years
• Be eligible to study in the UK and meet residency criteria for apprenticeship funding
  
  

If shortlisted, you’ll need to secure a place on an approved Occupational Therapy Degree Apprenticeship through our partner university. We’ll support you through this process. Employment offers are conditional on gaining a place.

Main duties of the job

• Support the delivery of recovery-focused occupational interventions for adults in the community.
• Work under supervision with increasing independence as your skills grow.
• Enable people to access and engage in daily living, leisure, and vocational activities.
• Help connect individuals to community groups and services.
• Maintain accurate documentation and use electronic records appropriately.
• Engage fully in university learning (20%) and clinical work (80%), including external placements.
  
  

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Caring, respectful, and interested in people’s recovery
• A good communicator who can build relationships and listen with empathy
• Organised, motivated, and able to balance study and work
• Open to feedback and keen to develop clinical skills
• Passionate about inclusion, equality, and social justice in mental health care
  
  

The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.

Working for our organisation

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) is a leading provider of mental health, community, and specialist services, known for its commitment to recovery-focused, compassionate care. Working in Westminster, you’ll be part of a diverse, vibrant borough that brings together people from all walks of life. Our services reflect this richness — offering innovative, community-based support in partnership with local organisations, voluntary groups, and service users themselves. You’ll join a dynamic, values-driven team that embraces collaboration, inclusion, and continuous learning. Westminster’s mental health services are at the forefront of transforming care, and CNWL supports its staff with strong supervision, professional development, and progression pathways.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

This is a developmental role that blends academic study with real-world practice in a supportive and skilled team. You will work with adults of working age who have complex mental health needs and support them in building skills, confidence, and community participation.

You’ll work in varied environments — homes, parks, libraries, community hubs — and take part in team meetings, supervision, reflective practice, and training. You’ll also contribute to quality improvement initiatives, service development, and the Trust’s commitment to relational, person-centred care (including Open Dialogue).

Key Relationships

You’ll work closely with:

• Service users and their carers/support networks
• Occupational Therapists and the wider community mental health team
• GPs, social care teams, and referring agencies
• Voluntary and community organisations
• University staff supporting the apprenticeship
  
  

Progression and Registration

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will:

• Be awarded a Level 6 Integrated Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Be eligible to register with the HCPC as an Occupational Therapist
• Be able to apply for Band 5 Occupational Therapist roles within CNWL
  
  

Person specification

Education And Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Evidence of GCSE in Maths and English grades A-C/4-9 or Functional Skills numeracy and literacy at level 2.
• Pass in 3 A levels including 1 science subject or an equivalent Access qualification if requested by university (BTEC/Diploma/NVQ).
• Relevant L3 healthcare related qualifications might be required by university in the absence of 3 A levels or related higher education diploma for health professions.
• Undergraduate degree certificate will be required for a Level 7 (M.Sc.) apprenticeship application.
  
  

Previous Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working in a multicultural environment
• Experience of working in a team
• Some experience of working in health, social care or information and advice, in direct contact with service users - in a paid or voluntary capacity, ideally within a Mental Health setting.
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Experience as a volunteer
• Previous group facilitation experience
• Teaching experience
• Experience of working in the NHS
  
  

Skills And Knowledge

Essential criteria

• A good understanding of the role of occupational therapy in mental health