With us you will help deliver outstanding, compassionate Occupational Therapy that changes lives
The Cygnet Occupational Therapy structure is divided nationally into 3 regions, with each region having a dedicated OT Director providing governance of safety, quality & compliance and ensuring a parity of terms and conditions across services and regions. The 3 OT Directors work collaboratively to ensure that there is a consistent approach across the services
Each service has a Clinical Lead OT who links the OT department in with National steering groups and works across the regions, to develop and implement clear processes and models for each service line.
Acute
The Occupational Therapy (OT) Acute service aims to assess a patient’s level of functional ability following an acute episode of mental health. Underpinned by the Model of Human Occupation theory, OT aims to support patients through the use of meaningful occupations towards recovery and make recommendations to the wider Multi-disciplinary team around discharge based on an individual’s needs.
PICU
The primary purpose of Occupational Therapy in a PICU is to support a patient in their recovery underpinned by occupational therapy practice. This is underpinned by the MOHO model and additionally, we aim to differentiate whether a patient sits within an exploratory or participatory level of ability in line with their own arousal levels to inform the rapid input they require. This fast paced service utilises a collaborative focus on the development of skills and function which supports transition to their next phase of care.
ASD residential & day services
The Occupational Therapy residential services aims to create an environment that is physically safe and sensory rich that supports optimal functioning. It aims to maximise each resident’s independence through the support and development of functional activities of daily living and life skills. In addition, it aims to support the people who care for the residents, through ongoing staff training, modelling and working collaboratively within the wider team.
CAMHs
The Occupational Therapy (OT) CAMHS service aims to work alongside the young people to develop confidence and skills in relation to activities of daily living, life skills and occupational identity as well as supporting engagement in valued occupations and development of routine. Working along-side the MDT with a trauma-informed lens, occupational therapists help to create a safe and containing environment with the ultimate aim of successful transition back into the community.
Eating Disorders
The Occupational Therapy (OT) Eating Disorder/Disordered Eating service aims to facilitate development of healthy routines and habits and a sense of occupational identify outside of the eating disorder. A phased approach is followed, alongside the MDT, including sensory based approaches, vocational skills and development of life skills impacted by the disorder to achieve a successful reintegration into the community.
High Dependency Rehabilitation
The Occupational Therapy high dependency mental health rehabilitation service aims to create an environment that is physically safe, supporting and promoting efficient rehabilitation and recovery. With wellness in mind, it aims to maximise each patient’s levels of independence to reach their optimal functioning. By enhancing individual’s skills we aim to rebuild their lives through meaningful occupation. Our holistic approach embraces a balance of risk management and therapeutic optimism. The service’s focus on development of functional activities of daily living and life skills of our service users, is core to the Rehab & mental health setting. In addition, it aims to support the people who care for the patients, through ongoing training, modelling and working collaboratively with the wider team.
The Occupational Therapy (OT) Learning Disability service aims to create a sensory-modulated environment and one that is physically safe. It aims to maximise each patient’s independence through the support and development of functional activities of daily living and life skills. In addition, it aims to support the people who care for the individuals, through ongoing staff training, modelling and working collaboratively within the wider Multi-disciplinary team.
Neuropsychiatry
The Occupational Therapy (OT) Neuropsychiatry service aims to create a rehabilitation focused environment, that is physically safe for patients with a range of physical impairments to access safely.
It aims to assess each patient’s level of ability to complete a range of activities of daily living and develop interventions to improve function, develop new skills or address specific cognitive or physical impairments. We work collaboratively with the Multi-disciplinary team to create specific interventions for individual patients, deliver skill development groups and deliver training for our hospital’s teams.
Personality Disorder
The Occupational Therapy (OT) Personality Disorder service aims to work collaboratively with each patient to identify and work towards their individual goals. It aims to work with the skills each person has, to explore the social environment and reintegrate back into the interpersonal world. The OT team uses the MOHO model and works closely with the wider Multi-Disciplinary Team to maximise each persons independence and prepare for life in the community.
Secure Services
Occupational therapists work within low and medium secure environments within Cygnet Health Care. We assess and treat occupational dysfunction by developing and relearning skills for each person within our care. We use the model of Human occupation to guide our practice and provide occupational identity in a forensic/secure setting. We have a clear focus on functional ability whilst considering risk to enable a safe discharge.
Deaf services
Within secure services we have low secure wards for people in our care who are deaf or have a hearing impairment.
In addition to the above as for secure care, occupational therapists aim to understand the deaf Culture, the deaf experience and deaf Identity. We gain understanding of the contexts that have led to each person’s admission to hospital. We use the assessment “Communication Sunburst” to understand the impact of mental health and deafness has on each person’s occupational functioning.
High Dependency Rehabilitation
The Occupational Therapy high dependency mental health rehabilitation service aims to create an environment that is physically safe, supporting and promoting efficient rehabilitation and recovery. With wellness in mind, it aims to maximise each patient’s levels of independence to reach their optimal functioning. By enhancing individual’s skills we aim to rebuild their lives through meaningful occupation. Our holistic approach embraces a balance of risk management and therapeutic optimism. The service’s focus on development of functional activities of daily living and life skills of our service users, is core to the Rehab & mental health setting. In addition, it aims to support the people who care for the patients, through ongoing training, modelling and working collaboratively with the wider team.
We have consolidated, Standardised models of care developed specifically for each service line. You will have the opportunity to contribute, support and embrace innovation and new ways of working within your service and the wider service line.
There are over 150 OTs employed in the organisation and there are lots of ways that we work together promoting the value of OT and supporting each other. This includes OT specific meetings both service line specific nationally and also at a regional level, OT conferences, email groups and the value of teamwork and strong relationships meaning we often work together on projects or share advice and best practice.
A number of career development opportunities are available due to our ever expanding portfolio of sites and our clear reporting structures. There are options to expand your skills clinically or managerially and you will always be supported to use these skills to enhance your current role or enable you to take the next steps in your career.
Cygnet’s bespoke Leadership & Management pathways were created to give our teams opportunities to grow and develop within the company, empowering them to manage our wards and sites, equipping them with the skills, knowledge and behaviours that inspire greatness.
Leading Practice Level 3 – For Health and Social Care sectors
This programme is focused on Team Leading and is suitable for anyone leading a team, big or small, who has not had any managerial or team leading experience, or those looking to go onwards into a more senior role. 3 members of our OT directorate have now completed this apprenticeship & more are enrolled.
Visionary Leaders Level 5 (ILM Accredited) – Health Care only
This programme is for staff in leadership & management roles. It is strategic and corporately focused and has a Foundation Degree Diploma attached to the programme. We have had 9 members of the OT directorate complete this apprenticeship so far, consolidating their skills & knowledge whilst leading teams.
4 Millbank, Westminster, London.
SW1P 3JA
