Occupational Therapist - Early Intervention in Psychosis Service

Job summary
The closing date is 29 July 2026

The Early Intervention in Psychosis Service (EIPS) based in Horsham are looking to recruit a full-time occupational therapist to join the team in a new band 5 to band 6 development role, to complement our existing multidisciplinary team.

This post is ideal for a newly qualified professional or a professional already working at a band 5 level looking to progress in their career to a band 6 lead practitioner within EIPS. We will offer you a bespoke programme, and a supportive and creative approach to guide you from a band 5 to band 6 lead practitioner.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a small, progressive EIP team, supporting clients with First Episode Psychosis and At-Risk Mental State to have a positive, hopeful and meaningful experience of mental health services.

If you would like to make a real difference to the lives of those living with Psychosis and their recovery using your professional training and skills, please apply.

Main duties of the job
The service has a strong ethos of hope and is dedicated to and passionate about supporting people aged 14 - 65 who are experiencing a First Episode of Psychosis (FEP) or people aged 14 - 35 with an At-Risk Mental State (ARMS) to meet their mental health needs, achieve personal recovery and enable people to get back on track with their lives and achieve their goals.

The service adopts a whole team approach, and you will be working as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) to deliver evidence- based interventions.

The successful applicant will support a small caseload of clients in the community from point of referral to discharge, providing effective care co-ordination for up to 3 years. Through developing therapeutic relationships, the post holder will work collaboratively with clients and their families and wider MDT to create person centred care and treatment plans which aim to reduce distress, maintain independence, prevent relapse, promote recovery and social inclusion.

Previous experience of supporting clients with mental health and social care difficulties is beneficial. You will be supported to develop specialist knowledge and skills to support those presenting with First Episode of Psychosis. It is important the successful applicants have a keen interest in understanding the principles and ethos of early intervention and this client group. You can find out more information about our approach here: What is Early Intervention in Psychosis? (likemind.nhs.uk)

About us
This small, friendly, multi-disciplinary team is based at New Park House in Horsham, situated in front of Horsham Park, a short walk from the train station and within walking distance of the town centre shops and cafes. Horsham is within easy reach of Brighton, Crawley, Surrey and the surrounding areas.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an expanding team within Sussex EIP. The Horsham EIP team is one of 6 EIPS teams provided by the Trust. The teams have a single service-wide governance group which oversees and leads on the delivery of care.

As this post is for a developmental position you will be provided with regular supervision, mentoring, team support, access to preceptorships, a protected caseload and clear objectives (linked to the EIPS development pathway Competencies Framework) in order for you to meet your goals.

As a service we offer a real commitment to support your continuing professional development through a variety of internal and external training opportunities and university accredited courses.

The base for this post is in Horsham however the team regularly works flexibly and at times remotely using a range of digital solutions for meetings and consultations.

Details
Date posted: 15 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £48,117 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 354-CS-21929-1
Job locations: New Park House, North Street, Horsham, RH12 1RJ, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
The role of Lead Practitioners is to work in partnership with service users with complex health and social care needs, developing their care and recovery plans to enable them to lead fulfilling lives, using NICE recommended interventions and an assertive outreach approach. The successful applicants will demonstrate an understanding of interventions relevant to clients with Psychosis, working closely with carers, families and partner agencies to facilitate this.

The post holder will work at all times to promote the safety and the well-being of service users and their families/carers. They will be involved in the triaging and assessment of referrals to the services, as well as assess, plan and implement care, provide specialist advice and carry out specialist assessments.

For more details, please see Job Description and Person Specification.

If you are looking to increase your community experience or want to gain experience of working in a specialist mental health service, please don't hesitate to contact Rachel Yard for more information.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registered practitioner with relevant professional qualification / degree (or equivalent). Registered to practice with relevant professional body for Nursing (NMC) / Social Work (Social Work England) / Occupational Therapy (HCPC)

Knowledge/Experience
Essential

• Experience of supporting people with mental health needs in a paid or voluntary capacity
• Experience of conducting clinical assessments including risk assessments
• Experience of partnership working within and across various statutory and non-statutory teams and agencies
• Experience working as part of a team
• Experience of being supervised
• Experience of analysing and communicating complex information verbally and in writing

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).