Apprentice Occupational Therapist

You will be employed as an Apprentice Occupational Therapist, working as part of a therapy team across a range of settings, with protected time to study for a degree in Occupational Therapy. The apprenticeship is delivered in partnership with Buckinghamshire New University, with teaching at the Aylesbury and High Wycombe campuses.
During the apprenticeship, you will develop the skills and knowledge needed to work in a dynamic healthcare environment. You will be based in one team within our community and mental health services, while also completing placements across different settings within Oxford Health and with external providers. Travel to university and between placement sites is required. Applicants must hold a full, valid UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work. Reasonable adjustments will be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010.
This post is based in the Oxford Crisis Resolution & Home Treatment Team (CRHTT), providing rapid, county-wide support to adults in mental health crisis to help them remain safely at home. OTs assess function and risk, support independence and meaningful activity, and contribute to discharge and recovery planning.
We are also advertising a post in the Chiltern Adult Mental Health Team. If you're interested in both posts, you don't need to apply for both - please indicate on 1 application you would like to be considered for both posts.
Other areas may become available and be discussed at interview., + All new starters have a thorough induction process, both local and Trust wide, which aims to create a positive supportive working environment allowing new employees to learn key elements of their role over a reasonable timescale.
+ Appointment to this post is subject to the trust receiving satisfactory references covering 3 years of employment or study. Please ask your referees to respond promptly to reference requests.
+ We're advocates of flexible working and many of our roles offer a range of employment options to help you balance your work and personal life.
+ Employees are expected to undertake mandatory and statutory training related to their role.
+ We are ambitious in our pursuit of excellence, driven by the belief that a fair, just and fully inclusive organisational culture enables our teams to deliver the best quality of care and services possible and we work hard to ensure that our diverse workforce reflects the communities that we serve.
+ We welcome applications from all sections of the community, are an Equal Opportunities employer with a number of internal networking groups to support our employees and where possible will always look to make reasonable adjustments in order that you can fulfil the role to recognise your full potential. All our employees are committed to demonstrating through their behaviour our core values - safe, caring and excellent.
+ We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
+ Oxford is a world-renowned centre of excellence for research. Oxford Health works closely with the University of Oxford department of Psychiatry and the Department of Primary care, has a Biomedical Research Centre dedicated to improving mental health and the NIHR Clinical Research Facility at the Warneford site. The Trust also hosts the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) which carries out applied research that directly impacts patient health and wellbeing

Are you a caring, compassionate, motivated individual who is interested in developing an exciting and progressive career within the health service? Join us at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (OHFT), train to become a qualified Occupational Therapist and gain a BSc (Hons) Degree in Occupational Therapy whilst you work!
The Occupational Therapy Apprenticeship programme combines clinical employment, work based learning, and academic learning. It is a fully funded route towards qualification as a HCPC registered Occupational Therapist.
As an employee of Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, you will demonstrate our values, and once you have completed all the requirements for registration as a qualified Occupational Therapist, you will be supported to apply for Band 5 vacancies within the Trust., + A minimum of 120 - 136 UCAS points (minimum of three A levels grade BBB and above).
The following Level 3 qualifications can also be accepted if A levels are not held:
+ Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma
+ International Baccalaureate (30 points)
+ Access to Higher Education course in Science, Health, Social Care or similar (60 credits, of which 45 credits will be at Level 3, including 30 at distinction grade and 30 at merit grade)
+ Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care
+ NVQ level 3 in Health and Social care, Science
+ Level 3 Healthcare Support Worker qualification
Applicants who cannot evidence any of the qualifications above may have relevant professional experience can submit a 500 -1000 word personal statement.
Other Documentation
+ GCSE grade C/4 or above in English & Maths or equivalent qualifications such as Functional Skills / Key Skills / Level 2 Numeracy & Literacy.
+ Current Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health (OH) checks and Covid Risk Assessment (record of vaccination) and record of any previous fitness to practice investigation.
Please ensure that you meet the above academic requirements before applying for this role as we will not be able to take applications forward without these.
As Oxfordshire is a rural county and many of our bases are away from public transport routes, applicants must have a full valid driving licence and have access to a car for work. If necessary, adjustments can be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010.
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 28th April 2026 at Abingdon Community Hospital. Candidates will be required to attend the recruitment day in person for a full day. We are unable to offer alternative dates.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust has been rated as Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
We are a responsive and innovative Foundation Trust that places our values of Caring, Safe and Excellent at the heart of everything we do. We take great pride in our staff and believe that investing in you is key to us achieving our vision of outstanding care delivered by outstanding people.
We work with a wide range of partner organisations to deliver care and support to people in their own homes and from a number of hospitals and community bases. We focus on delivering care as close to home as possible for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.
We actively support anti-racism, equality, diversity, and inclusion so, if you're excited about this job opportunity and you meet our Trust values, but feel unsure about applying, then please get in touch and we will be happy to have a conversation with you.
We are also committed to increasing diversity in the workforce, that is why we actively encourage applications from those groups of people who are currently under-represented, which include amongst others: people with disabilities; men from all socio-economic backgrounds; people from diverse ethnic backgrounds; and people from the LGBTQIA+ community.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.
Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible.
Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"
Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent"
At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
+ Excellent opportunities for career progression
+ Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
+ 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
+ NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
+ Competitive pension scheme
+ Lease car scheme
+ Cycle to work scheme
+ Employee Assistance Programme
+ Mental Health First Aiders
+ Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
+ Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team