Job Description

Are you keen to work a fascinating and ever-changing environment?



Are you curious, creative and always looking for new learning opportunities and ways to implement this into practice?



We have a Band 4 Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor vacancy in our central therapies team at the Hellingly Centre - a medium and low secure inpatient service for male and female service users.



Forensic mental healthcare is a unique and fascinating field which provides both challenge and opportunity in abundance.



At the Hellingly Centre, we specialise in the assessment and treatment of people with complex and enduring mental health needs, who have had contact with the criminal justice system.



You will be working with service users who have committed criminal offences, but have also often been victims themselves. Service users regularly experience stigma for both mental health and offending history, so our role is to develop trusting and safe relationships which balance being compassionate, collaborative and supportive with sound risk assessment and management skills



As an Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor, you will contribute to a programme of structured, therapeutic, and recovery-focused interventions within a secure forensic mental health inpatient setting. Under the guidance of qualified Occupational Therapists, you will use music-based activities to foster creativity and self-expression, support the development of functional, cognitive, social, and emotional skills, and help service users build confidence. Your work will play an important role in supporting their rehabilitation and progression through secure care.



Previous experience of working with or supporting people with mental health difficulties is essential and an understanding of the benefits of using music to health and wellbeing.

Desirable experience and skills:

Previous experience of planning and facilitating individual and group music or creative sessions, ideally within a mental health setting or other healthcare setting, community arts or education.

Ability to play one or more instruments, e.g., guitar, keyboard, drums, percussion.

Training in audio production, sound recording, or digital music tools (e.g. Ableton, Logic Pro)

Experience using a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) to record, edit, mix, and produce music.

Experience of setting up and managing musical equipment safely.

Basic technical troubleshooting skills, e.g., tuning instruments, simple audio issues.

Experience of planning and organising music and/or social events.



The Hellingly Centre is a modern purpose built medium secure unit specialising in the assessment and treatment of people with complex and enduring mental health needs, who have had contact with the criminal justice system.



There are 4 specialist wards (2 male medium secure wards - Oak and Ash, 1 female medium secure ward - Blossom and 1 male low secure ward - Elm), each with a strong multi-disciplinary team.



We have a range of therapy facilities within the centre including: a gym, shop, music, woodwork and art rooms and Badger's Cafe and allotment space on-site.



The centre is situated within the beautiful Hellingly Country Park and the Cuckoo Trail is also very close by. The local town, Hailsham is under 10 minutes away by car. There is a direct bus link to Eastbourne.



There is a small gym on-site which is available for staff to use. Badger's Cafe is on site and sells a good selection of hot drinks, meals and snacks. There is a large car park and parking is free.

Main Duties, Responsibilities, and Key Relationships:

Plan and deliver meaningful, music-focussed sessions including, music appreciation, instrument-based activities, digital music production, singing or vocal work, rhythm exercises, songwriting, etc., working with occupational therapists to ensure they are aligned with service users' goals and occupational therapy principles.

Work safely within a secure forensic environment, applying trauma-informed, recovery-focused practice and maintaining professional boundaries.

Collaborate with Occupational Therapists, ward staff, the wider MDT and service users to support therapeutic goal-setting and care planning.

Engage service users in person-centred activities, adapting approaches to individual abilities, interests, and needs.

Maintain records of sessions, progress, and outcomes, contributing to evaluation, audit, and service development.



Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details of the role and requirements.



There will be access to regular supervision, reflective practice and training and development opportunities, including attendance to communities of practice.



This role is part time (30 hours), across Monday - Friday. Flexible working requests will be considered.



Please apply using the link in this advert. For any further information regarding the role and/or to arrange a visit, please contact:



Amy Boot, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist - amy.boot@nhs.net / 07471034261 or Emily Barnard, Acting Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist - emily.barnard15@nhs.net.