Occupational Therapist – Norfolk First Support | 10931 | permanent contract | 25.5 hours per week | £37,280 to £41,771 per annum pro rata | Grade I/J | Norwich
Level 1: £37,280 to £39,152 per annum (Scale I)
Level 2: £39,862 to £41,771 per annum (Scale J)
We offer a £2000 welcome payment for qualified and experienced Occupational Therapists (grade J and above) new to Norfolk County Council. Amount to be repaid in full should you leave within two years of employment.
For experienced Social Workers new to Norfolk County Council, we promise to try and match or better your existing salary, providing it's in the spectrum of the grade advertised.
Join Norfolk First Support and Help Shape the Future of Reablement
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Occupational Therapist to join our Norfolk First Support (NFS) team, supporting people following hospital discharge and those living in the community who require short-term reablement support to maximise their independence.
This is an exciting time to join Norfolk First Support as we continue to transform and strengthen our short-term support services. We are developing the Occupational Therapy offer within reablement and are seeking a motivated Occupational Therapist who is passionate about enabling people to achieve their goals and live independently in their own homes.
At Norfolk County Council, we work in line with the principles of the Human Learning Systems approach, recognising that meaningful outcomes are achieved through strong relationships, continuous learning and adapting services around the needs of the people we support. You will contribute to a culture of curiosity, innovation and improvement, helping us deliver the Council's priorities of supporting people to live independently, reducing inequalities and working collaboratively with communities and partners to create positive outcomes for Norfolk residents.
About the Role
As an Occupational Therapist within Norfolk First Support, you will assess people within their home environment, working collaboratively with them to identify what matters most and develop outcome-focused reablement plans.
Using your Occupational Therapy knowledge, strengths-based practice and reablement expertise, you will support people to regain skills, confidence and independence following illness, injury or a period of deterioration in their physical or mental health. Interventions will be person-centred, evidence-informed and focused on enabling people to achieve sustainable outcomes and remain living well within their communities.
You will have experience of, or a strong interest in, reablement and will contribute to the ongoing development of Occupational Therapy within the service. You will use outcome measures to monitor progress, evaluate interventions and support continuous service improvement while managing caseloads using electronic recording systems.
To build meaningful relationships with the people we support, this role requires regular in-person work in both the office and community.
About You
We are looking for an Occupational Therapist who:
- Is passionate about promoting independence and enabling people to achieve their personal goals.
- Has excellent assessment, communication and problem-solving skills.
- Can confidently prioritise and manage a varied caseload.
- Is committed to a Home First approach and creative, person-centred practice.
- Values partnership working and building positive relationships with individuals, families and professionals.
- Is enthusiastic about learning, service improvement and contributing to the development of Occupational Therapy within reablement.
Has strong IT and record-keeping skills and a commitment to excellent customer service.
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About Norfolk First Support
Norfolk First Support is a joint health and social care reablement service that helps people regain and maximise their independence following a hospital stay or a decline in health and wellbeing.
The service begins when healthcare needs have been stabilised and focuses on enabling people to relearn, rebuild or maintain the skills required for daily living. Support is delivered for up to six weeks and is centred on helping people achieve their own goals and remain safely and independently at home.
Working closely with health colleagues, local community services and social care teams, Norfolk First Support plays a key role in delivering Norfolk's Home First ambitions.
Professional Development
We are proud to offer a comprehensive Occupational Therapy Preceptorship Programme for newly qualified Occupational Therapists, those returning to practice and therapists transitioning from other areas of professional practice.
The programme provides a structured 12-month package of support, development and assessment, including a dedicated Occupational Therapy Mentor. We are committed to helping you achieve your career aspirations and offer strong professional networks, regular supervision, peer support and a buddy system to help you thrive within our service.
Why Join Us?
This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of Occupational Therapy within a transforming reablement service. You will join a supportive multidisciplinary team committed to learning, innovation and continuous improvement, working together to help Norfolk residents live independently and well at home.
Benefits of Working for Norfolk First Support
- Competitive annual leave entitlement
- Excellent Local Government Pension Scheme
- Salaried post
- Extensive induction and development opportunities
- Occupational Therapy professional support and development
- Norfolk Rewards Scheme
- Paid business mileage
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Hybrid working opportunities
Part of Norfolk County Council
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We operate a hybrid model of working, with opportunities to work both remotely and from an office base. A full UK driving licence and access to transport are essential for this role.
For an informal discussion regarding this vacancy, please contact:
Katie Hall, Norfolk First Support Service Lead/Therapy Lead [email protected]
Before you apply, we recommend reading the full Job Description and Person Specification to help you demonstrate you meet the criteria.
These are some benefits you can enjoy by working for Norfolk County Council:
- Competitive salary
- Generous holiday entitlement
- Health and Wellbeing services including fast-track physiotherapy and a free counselling service
- Flexible working opportunities including flexi-time, part time, remote and hybrid working – dependent on your job role and business need.
- Financial benefits such as:
- ‘ Norfolk Rewards’ our employee discounts programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out.
- A Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers
- Relocation expenses (where applicable)
- An advance of your expenses if you travel for work
- Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants’ pensions.
Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension and new bikes
Access to our tax efficient car lease scheme for greener travel enabling you to lease a brand new, ultra-low emission vehicle (subject to eligibility)
A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job
You can find information on our Terms and Conditions here.
Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for internal and external vacancies in myOracle using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email.
We would like to make you aware that priority consideration for this post may be given to current employees who are at risk due to restructure within the organisation or are in a redeployment position.
Redeployment closing date: 22 July 2026
All other applicants closing date: 29 July 2026
