At a Glance
- Tasks: Support autistic children with communication, sensory, and independence skills through therapy.
- Company: Join a supportive team dedicated to making a difference in young lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and ongoing professional development.
- Other info: Flexible term-time roles available with a collaborative team atmosphere.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a rewarding environment while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Must have recognised OT or SaLT qualification and HCPC registration.
The predicted salary is between 29970 - 44962 £ per year.
Occupational Therapist / Speech Language Therapists (SaLTs) to join our specialist multidisciplinary team supporting autistic children and young people. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a collaborative transdisciplinary model where therapy expertise is embedded into everyday classroom practice. You will play a key role in helping learners develop communication, sensory, motor, and independence skills in a supportive and rewarding environment. Whether you are newly qualified or an experienced clinician seeking progression, we welcome applications across Band 5 to Band 7 levels.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver individual and group therapy interventions
- Complete specialist assessments and develop therapy programmes
- Support autistic learners to achieve communication, sensory, motor, and independence outcomes
- Work collaboratively with teachers, Behaviour Analysts, and wider multidisciplinary teams
- Coach and support classroom staff in implementing therapy strategies
- Produce high-quality clinical records, reports, and recommendations
- Contribute to annual reviews, EHCP outcomes, and transition planning
- Maintain safeguarding, clinical governance, and professional standards
- Band 6/7 clinicians may supervise junior therapists or therapy assistants
About You
Essential
- Recognised Occupational Therapy or Speech Language Therapy qualification
- HCPC registration (plus RCSLT membership for SaLT applicants)
- Experience working with autistic children and young people
- Strong assessment, communication, and clinical reasoning skills
- Experience working within multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary teams
- Understanding of safeguarding, clinical governance, and evidence-based practice
- Ability to adapt therapy approaches to meet learner needs
Desirable
- AAC experience
- Sensory Integration training
- Knowledge of EHCPs and annual reviews
- Experience delivering training to staff, parents, or carers
- Service development experience
- Relevant post-qualification training (e.g. Zones of Regulation)
- Membership of Clinical Excellence Networks (CENs)
Benefits
- Competitive NHS Band 5–7 salary
- Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 5%
- Term-time only opportunities available
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time staff)
- Additional annual leave with length of service
- Season ticket loan scheme
- Bicycle purchase loan scheme
- Ongoing CPD, supervision, and career progression opportunities
- Supportive and collaborative working environment
Working Hours
37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday, 8:45am – 4:45pm (30-minute lunch break). Occasional evening meetings or events may be required.
Safeguarding
BeyondAutism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young adults. All successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check and safeguarding procedures.
Mental Health Community Occupational Therapist employer: BeyondAutism
At BeyondAutism, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for Mental Health Community Occupational Therapists. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through ongoing CPD opportunities and a clear pathway for career progression, all while working with a dedicated multidisciplinary team to make a meaningful impact in the lives of autistic children and young people. With competitive salaries, generous leave entitlements, and a focus on work-life balance, we ensure that our staff feel valued and empowered in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mental Health Community Occupational Therapist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the field of occupational therapy, especially those working with autistic children. Attend workshops or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your experience with assessments and therapy programmes. Include case studies or examples of how you've supported learners in achieving their goals. This will give potential employers a clear picture of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Before any interview, rehearse common questions related to your experience with multidisciplinary teams and safeguarding practices. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our supportive and collaborative environment. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make a real difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Mental Health Community Occupational Therapist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with autistic children and young people. We want to see how your skills align with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t hold back on showcasing your assessment, communication, and clinical reasoning skills. We’re looking for candidates who can demonstrate their expertise and how they can contribute to our multidisciplinary team.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences quickly.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at BeyondAutism
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of occupational therapy and speech language therapy, especially in relation to working with autistic children. Familiarise yourself with the latest evidence-based practices and be ready to discuss how you've applied these in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
Since this role involves working within a multidisciplinary team, be prepared to share examples of how you've collaborated with others in the past. Highlight your communication skills and any experience you have in coaching or supporting classroom staff.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations involving autistic learners. Think about your approach to assessments, developing therapy programmes, and adapting strategies to meet individual needs. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the team dynamics, ongoing professional development opportunities, or how they measure success in therapy outcomes. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
