Highly Specialist Children's Occupational Therapist | Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and innovative Children’s Community Occupational Therapist to lead and develop OT provision within the Expert at Hand model, alongside managing a mixed Band 7 caseload within a highly respected and integrated OT service. This post is funded through the ‘Expert at Hand’ SEND reform programme and offers a unique opportunity to contribute to system-wide transformation. The role is likely to be extended, subject to ongoing funding and service development.

You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team, supporting early identification of need and delivering evidence-based, targeted interventions within education settings. The role includes designing and delivering training, modelling strategies, and building workforce capacity to embed inclusive practice and improve outcomes for children and young people. You will also deliver evidence-based interventions across a tiered model of OT provision, addressing health, social care and education needs.

You will work closely with Specialist Teachers, Educational Psychologists, Children’s Physiotherapists, Speech and Language therapists, and wider health colleagues, as well as the broader workforce across education and social care. As well as delivering school based occupational therapy as part of the SEND reforms you will also be based within the Hackney Ark Children's Occupational Therapy team holding a mixed caseload across health, social care and education.

The well-resourced OT service has been commissioned to address the health and social care needs of children and young people and has a history of championing non-traditional roles to meet the varying occupational needs of children and young people across City and Hackney. These include roles such as a short breaks / leisure team, a post specifically for looked after children, a service to support transition to adult services, Autism Diagnostics and NICU. The service has consistently maintained low wait times, providing the opportunity to offer intervention to children and young people and their families.

You will be based in the heart of Hackney at The Ark, a purpose-built Child Development Centre, where teams work closely to offer a joined-up service to families. The Clinical Leads offer regular supervision and there is an MDT internal training programme; external CPD and networking are supported and encouraged. You will supervise OTs and students and work with the Clinical Leads and other Band 7s to further develop and grow the OT service.

Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a high performing and flourishing organisation serving the population of Hackney, East London, The City and beyond. We are extremely proud of the fact that Homerton Hospital has recently attained the highest possible rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Our integrated Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community health services for its local population and a range of specialist services for a wider group of patients.

In addition, the Trust manages services out of St Leonard's Hospital and the Mary Seacole Nursing Home. Homerton aims to ensure equality and value diversity, and we are committed to inclusion for all of our staff. This is reflected in our policies, procedures and People Plan. All of our staff are expected to embody our Trust values at all times. We are also committed, through our Fair Recruitment Standards, to ensuring all applicants are treated fairly.

Homerton has a proud tradition of supporting and developing its staff, including its well-regarded and valued nursing community, and all staff are able to take advantage of a great range of benefits. Homerton is proud to have been included on the HSJ & Nursing Times Best Places to Work list.

You will report to the Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist and contribute to innovative service development, partnership working, and co-design with children, young people and families. You may be asked to work very occasional evenings or weekends.