Horticultural Therapist

Job summary

There is a rare opportunity due to staff moving on to join our Adult Acute Inpatient Mental Health therapies team as a horticultural therapist.

The post holder will provide individual and group assessment and intervention to service users with a range of mental health needs, providing an essential part of the therapy offer.

You will work alongside occupational therapists, physio, arts therapists as well as a full multidisciplinary team of medics, psychologists, nurses and HCAs.

There are regular opportunities for formal and informal training and skills development.

Main duties of the job

To work as part of the Occupational Therapy team in adult acute mental health inpatient services, either alone or with other MDT staff, to deliver horticultural intervention in individual or group settings.

All staff should comply with the Trusts' Anti-Discriminatory Statement, Employee Charter, Trust Policies and Procedures, Code of Conduct and Equality and Diversity.

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality Commission.

Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Details

Date posted

28 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,860 to £31,671 a year per annum, pro rata (5% HCAS Included)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours

Reference number

367-A&UC-9893

Job locations

Kingfisher Court

Harper Lane

Shenley, Radlett

WD7 9HQ

Job description

Job responsibilities

• To provide individual and group Horticultural Therapy interventions to service users on the adult inpatient wards as agreed with the supervising registered Occupational Therapist. These interventions will aim to:

• Promote social inclusion

• Increase confidence and improve self-esteem

• Promote independence

• Provide opportunities to learn new and transferable skills

• Improve motor skills

• Improve physical health and fitness

• Increase awareness of the importance of healthy diet

• Provide a sense of purpose and achievement

• Improve mental health

• Provide opportunities for improving social skills through team working and developing friendships

• Encourage engagement in horticultural projects, and liaising with local community offers

• Use technical and creative skills to assist in the provision of a flexible, service user centered programme of horticultural and associated activities to achieve specific therapeutic goals for individuals or groups of service users who experience mental health difficulties.

• Promote the use and application of therapeutic horticultural activities to the MDT

• Under guidance of Occupational Therapist, to provide opportunities for observational and structured assessments based on the Model of Human Occupational, identifying individuals challenges, strengths, and progress.

Job description

Job responsibilities

• To provide individual and group Horticultural Therapy interventions to service users on the adult inpatient wards as agreed with the supervising registered Occupational Therapist. These interventions will aim to:

• Promote social inclusion

• Increase confidence and improve self-esteem

• Promote independence

• Provide opportunities to learn new and transferable skills

• Improve motor skills

• Improve physical health and fitness

• Increase awareness of the importance of healthy diet

• Provide a sense of purpose and achievement

• Improve mental health

• Provide opportunities for improving social skills through team working and developing friendships

• Encourage engagement in horticultural projects, and liaising with local community offers

• Use technical and creative skills to assist in the provision of a flexible, service user centered programme of horticultural and associated activities to achieve specific therapeutic goals for individuals or groups of service users who experience mental health difficulties.

• Promote the use and application of therapeutic horticultural activities to the MDT

• Under guidance of Occupational Therapist, to provide opportunities for observational and structured assessments based on the Model of Human Occupational, identifying individuals challenges, strengths, and progress.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant horticultural therapy qualification
• knowledge of MS Office
• A Levels/Health and Social Care NVQ/L3 qualification

Desirable

• Knowledge of OT within the setting
• Experience of working in a mental health setting

Experience

Essential

• Experience of horticultural therapy work
• Experience of leading groups and 1:1 intervention
• ability to work autonomously

Desirable

• experience of working with people with MH/LD
• experience of SU/carer invovlement
• knowledge of recovery principles

Skills

Essential

• Good communication skills
• ability to teach practical skills

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant horticultural therapy qualification
• knowledge of MS Office
• A Levels/Health and Social Care NVQ/L3 qualification

Desirable

• Knowledge of OT within the setting
• Experience of working in a mental health setting

Experience

Essential

• Experience of horticultural therapy work
• Experience of leading groups and 1:1 intervention
• ability to work autonomously

Desirable

• experience of working with people with MH/LD
• experience of SU/carer invovlement
• knowledge of recovery principles

Skills

Essential

• Good communication skills
• ability to teach practical skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Kingfisher Court

Harper Lane

Shenley, Radlett

WD7 9HQ

Employer's website

https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Kingfisher Court

Harper Lane

Shenley, Radlett

WD7 9HQ

Employer's website

https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)