Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist

This is an exciting strategic and impact-driven Occupational Therapy role focused on developing inclusive practice across Southend schools and settings. The post holder will play a key leadership role in shaping and embedding universal occupational therapy approaches that improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND across the local area. The role will focus on developing high-quality, evidence-informed universal and targeted support in mainstream educational settings, with a particular emphasis on:

• Inclusive classroom environments and universal adaptations
• Regulation approaches and emotionally supportive practice
• Effective sensory spaces and sensory-informed environments
• Movement, sensory breaks and accessibility within the school day
• Sensory profile support and implementation
• Workforce development and capacity building across education settings
• Strategic SEND reform and inclusion projects

This is a non-caseload holding role with a strong emphasis on systems leadership, project development, service innovation and collaborative working across education, health and local authority services. The post holder will supervise and support a Specialist Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapy Assistants and will contribute strategically to Southend's SEND and inclusion developments, including capital projects and consultative attendance at transport panels. The role will work closely with NHS Occupational Therapy colleagues to ensure complementary, aligned and cohesive offers for children, young people and schools across the local area.

Principal Accountabilities and Responsibilities

The post holder will:

• Lead the development and implementation of high-quality universal occupational therapy approaches across mainstream schools and educational settings.
• Support schools to create inclusive learning environments through advice, training and project work related to:
• Universal adaptations
• Sensory-informed classrooms
• Regulation and co-regulation approaches
• Effective sensory spaces
• Movement and sensory break provision
• Accessibility and participation
• Develop and deliver innovative OT-led projects and pilots aimed at improving inclusion, participation, engagement and outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
• Contribute strategically to Southend's SEND reform agenda, supporting the development of inclusive practice and sustainable system-wide approaches.
• Provide occupational therapy expertise and consultation to local authority capital projects to ensure environments are accessible, inclusive and supportive of sensory and physical needs.
• Attend transport panels in a consultative capacity, contributing specialist advice regarding functional needs, access, participation and environmental considerations.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with NHS Occupational Therapy services and wider partners to ensure alignment, avoid duplication and strengthen the graduated response across education and health.
• Provide professional supervision, line management and support to the Specialist Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapy Assistants, promoting reflective practice, professional development and high standards of delivery.
• Coordinate and oversee the delivery of targeted OT support delivered through the wider team.
• Foster a positive, innovative and solution-focused team culture which promotes inclusion, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Develop and deliver training, workshops and resources for school staff, parents, carers and professionals to build confidence and capacity in supporting children and young people with sensory, physical and regulation needs.
• Support schools and settings to develop sustainable, evidence-informed approaches which reduce barriers to learning and participation for children and young people.
• Work collaboratively with education colleagues, Specialist Teaching Services and wider SEND teams to monitor, evaluate and improve the impact of outreach and inclusion support.
• Coordinate and support Occupational Therapy student placements across the service, providing high-quality practice education opportunities, ensuring effective placement experiences, and working collaboratively across the team to develop and sustain a positive learning environment for students.
• Use evidence, feedback, outcome measures and performance data to inform service development and future planning.
• Maintain accurate and timely records, reports and outcome data in line with professional and organisational standards.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, guidance and best practice relating to SEND, inclusion, occupational therapy and education.
• Work collaboratively with children, young people, families and professionals, ensuring their views inform service delivery and future developments.
• Support the implementation of the service complaints procedure and respond appropriately to concerns raised by families, schools or professionals.
• Work within Southend City Council safeguarding policies and procedures and promote the welfare and wellbeing of children and young people at all times.
• Contribute to service evaluation, policy development and continuous improvement across SEND Therapies and Inclusion Services.
• Operate flexibly to support the delivery of services and undertake duties commensurate with the level and scope of the role.

This Job Description is intended as a guide to the duties and responsibilities of the post and may be amended following consultation in line with service needs, and legislative changes.