The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
Job details
Job reference VAC008556 Date posted 23/07/2026 Application closing date 24/08/2026 Location City Hall College Green City Centre Bristol BS1 5TR Salary BG11: £39,862 – £41,771BG12: £42,839 – £46,142 Package Blank Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Job category/type Social Care Attachments Person Specification – BG11.pdf Job Description – BG12.pdf Person Specification – BG12.pdf Job Description – BG11.pdf
Permanent, Full Time 37 hours per week Fixed Term for 12 months, Part Time 22.5 hours per week (starting November 2026).
Are you a passionate Occupational Therapist looking to make a real difference to people’s lives at a critical point in their recovery journey?
We are seeking Occupational Therapists to join our Hospital Discharge Acute Team (HDAT). Working across Bristol’s acute hospitals and community settings, you will play a vital role in supporting safe, timely and person-centred hospital discharges, helping people regain independence and achieve the outcomes that matter most to them.
About the Role
As part of a fast-paced multidisciplinary team, you will complete holistic Occupational Therapy assessments, Care Act assessments, moving and handling assessments, and identify opportunities for rehabilitation, equipment provision and environmental adaptations. You will work closely with individuals, health colleagues, families, carers and community services to ensure people can return home safely and confidently and review their needs once home to ensure their care meet their needs and is proportional.
The role offers a rewarding mix of hospital and community-based practice, enabling you to use your professional expertise to promote independence, manage risk positively and support strength-based decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
- Undertake functional, occupational and Care Act assessments.
- Support safe and timely hospital discharge planning.
- Recommend and arrange equipment, adaptations and community support services.
- Review complex packages of care to ensure support remains proportionate and outcome-focused.
- Work collaboratively with individuals, Social Workers, hospital staff, healthcare professionals, families and carers.
- Contribute to multidisciplinary decision-making and patient flow within acute hospital settings.
- Participate in team duty responsibilities.
- Fulfil statutory responsibilities relating to the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, safeguarding and other relevant legislation.
- Support learners, students and the development of Occupational Therapy practice.
Why Bristol City Council?
At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation. For the majority of our roles hybrid working arrangements are available, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice – mixing both home and office working.
Join us and you’ll receive an excellent rewards package including flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.
At Bristol City Council, our vision for Adult Social Care is to support people to live their best lives, maintaining choice, control and independence wherever possible. As an Occupational Therapist within HDAT, you will be part of a skilled and supportive team that values professional development, innovation and collaborative working.
In return, we offer:
- A varied and rewarding role with significant professional autonomy.
- Opportunities for ongoing learning and career development.
- A full induction with regular professional supervision and reflective practice.
- A supportive multidisciplinary team environment.
- The opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of Bristol residents every day.
We endeavour to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to develop highly skilled, evidence-based practice, utilising the 4 pillars of the RCOT career development framework. We provide regular OT specific learning and development activities and also provide practice educators with an additional payment for supporting student placements.
Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.
For permanent Bristol City Council employees, the fixed term post will be a secondment.
For employees who are currently on a fixed term contract with Bristol City Council, the secondment must not extend beyond the end of the fixed term period to ensure there is a substantive post to return to.
If you are currently a casual worker or a member of an employment agency (currently working with Bristol City Council) this post will be a fixed term contract.
We’re a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We’ll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.
Interviews are scheduled to take place on 1st & 2nd September.
Want to know more? For further information please contact:
Sarah Plaskett (Senior Occupational Therapist) – sarah.plaskett@bristol.gov.uk /Tel: 07826536750 (Please note I am on leave between 8th-23rd August. If you email me, my out of office response will give you an alternative contact during this period)
Bristol City Council strives to have a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, we are therefore committed to ensuring diversity in our hiring process. We welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit.
Thepersonal information section (including your name) you’ll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.
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