Location
London Borough of Newham

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
£54,267 (Band 7 AfC Outer London Weighting)

About the Role
Be part of something groundbreaking in young people's mental health with this nationally recognised, cutting-edge opportunity. We are seeking a passionate Occupational Therapist to join an innovative Intensive Community Support Service in Newham. This nationally recognised pilot, developed by the North East London CAMHS Provider Collaborative and Local Authority partners, addresses urgent challenges in youth mental health by supporting young people with complex needs to remain safely within their families, communities, and local placements.

The service tackles longstanding system challenges such as fragmented care, delayed hospital discharges, and avoidable Tier 4 admissions. With over 3,000 discharge delay days recorded locally in a single year, this pilot represents a major investment in improving outcomes for young people.

Flexible employment options are available, including NHS secondment for 12 months with likely extension, allowing retention of NHS benefits and gaining system leadership experience, or a fixed-term Local Authority contract ideal for clinicians seeking career diversification.

The Intensive Community Support Service provides intensive, wraparound therapeutic support for young people aged 13–18 with complex trauma, neurodevelopmental needs, significant emotional and behavioural difficulties, or those at risk of family or placement breakdown. The service delivers community-based alternatives to hospital admission to reduce unnecessary inpatient admissions, prevent delayed discharges, avoid high-cost out-of-area placements, and improve placement stability through coordinated work across CAMHS, Children’s Social Care, and education.

This role is based within Newham Council’s Edge of Care Service and involves working as part of a small multidisciplinary team delivering flexible home and community-based interventions. You will undertake specialist assessments, formulation, and evidence-based therapeutic work with young people with highly complex needs. Your practice may include DBT-informed emotional regulation, CBT, motivational interviewing, Positive Behaviour Support, family and systemic practice, Non-Violence Resistance (NVR), psychoeducation, and problem-solving interventions. You will also provide consultation to professional networks, support families and carers, contribute to rapid-response pathways, and help shape the ongoing development of this nationally significant pilot.

The role is community and home-based, initially operating across Newham with plans to expand into neighbouring boroughs.

Experience
Occupational Therapist experience in CAMHS or complex adolescent mental health services is required. Knowledge of trauma-informed practice, neurodevelopmental conditions, safeguarding, risk assessment, and multi-agency working is essential. Experience in service development, quality improvement, Positive Behaviour Support, or systemic approaches is advantageous.

About you
You are passionate about working with young people with complex needs and motivated to contribute to innovative service models. You have strong clinical skills, excellent communication, and the ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. You are committed to improving outcomes for vulnerable young people and supporting families and carers.

Qualifications
Registered Occupational Therapist with relevant professional qualifications and registration. Experience or interest in leadership, service development, and clinical supervision is desirable.