At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to support children with disabilities, ensuring their independence and wellbeing.
- Company: Brent Council, a vibrant and diverse borough in London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, up to 33 days annual leave, flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families.
- Qualifications: HCPC registration and significant experience in paediatric occupational therapy.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to professional development and impactful work.
The predicted salary is between 55323 - 58461 ÂŁ per year.
Salary range: £55,323 – £58,461 p.a. inc. London weighting (plus fantastic benefits!)
Contract: Permanent
Hours of work: 36 hours per week
Location: Civic centre and other locations from time to time
Brent is a tremendously vibrant London borough where the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium dominates the skyline. Spanning both inner and outer London, it is a borough of huge contrasts in terms of its economic, environmental, ethnic and social make up. Brent’s diversity is evident to all who visit our borough and our long history of ethnic and cultural diversity has created a place that is truly unique and valued by those who live and work here. The council is pursuing a far-reaching transformation agenda that better meets the needs of our community so it is an exciting time to join us.
The Role
This is more than a leadership role — it’s a chance to shape how children with disabilities experience daily life. Brent Council is seeking a Lead Occupational Therapist to join our 0–25 Children and Young People with Disabilities Service, where occupational therapy is central to helping children live safely, independently and with dignity within their own homes and communities. This is a senior, hands-on role combining professional leadership, complex casework and strategic oversight. You will lead the Social Care Occupational Therapy Service, providing day-to-day supervision and professional guidance to Occupational Therapists, while also holding a complex caseload and working directly with children and families. From complex assessments to life-changing adaptations, your decisions will have visible, lasting outcomes. You will assess needs, recommend specialist equipment and home adaptations, and lead work under Disability Facilities Grant legislation, ensuring children are supported to maximise independence, safety and wellbeing. Working closely with families, social care colleagues, housing, health professionals and partner agencies, you will deliver holistic, child-focused solutions for some of Brent’s most vulnerable residents.
What You’ll Be Responsible For
- A trusted professional lead within a multi-disciplinary, child-focused service.
- Leading and supervising the Social Care Occupational Therapy team, supporting high standards of practice and professional development.
- Managing a complex caseload, using advanced clinical knowledge to assess risk, needs and outcomes.
- Assessing for and recommending specialist equipment and minor or major home adaptations.
- Leading assessments and decision-making in line with Disability Facilities Grant legislation.
- Working collaboratively with families, social workers, housing colleagues and health professionals.
- Providing expert advice, coaching and guidance to staff, students and partner professionals.
- Promoting strengths-based, outcome-focused practice that maximises independence and delivers value for money.
- Ensuring safeguarding responsibilities are embedded across all practice.
What You’ll Bring
- Senior clinical expertise, matched with compassion and leadership confidence, along with HCPC registration and a recognised Occupational Therapy qualification (DipCOT or BSc OT).
- Significant experience working with children with disabilities within social care or a closely related setting.
- Strong knowledge of paediatric OT assessments, interventions and disability legislation.
- Experience delivering equipment and home adaptations, including work linked to DFGs.
- Proven ability to supervise, mentor and support staff or students.
- Confidence working within multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environments.
- A compassionate, professional approach to engaging children, young people and families.
- A strong understanding of safeguarding, strengths-based practice and equality principles.
Join us. Be a voice for the vulnerable and make your impact!
Ready to apply? Click the “Apply” to be redirected to our careers page. Make sure to include:
- A supporting statement showing how you meet the Person Specification.
- A CV (CVs alone won’t be accepted).
Closing date: 8th February 2026 at 23:59
Do work that matters — in a borough that values your expertise. Be part of a supportive, forward-thinking service with a strong commitment to children and families. Influence practice and help shape the future of paediatric social care OT services. Work in a role where your professional judgement and leadership are genuinely valued. Access career development, training and progression opportunities. Benefit from flexible and hybrid working arrangements (role-dependent). We know people achieve their best when they feel valued. At Brent, you’ll benefit from up to 33 days annual leave (depending on length of service) plus.
Lead Occupational Therapist in London employer: Brent Council
Contact Detail:
Brent Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Occupational Therapist in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the occupational therapy field, especially those who work in social care. They might have insider info on job openings or can even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to paediatric OT and leadership. We recommend role-playing with a friend or using online resources to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for making a difference! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've positively impacted children with disabilities. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Occupational Therapist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for occupational therapy and working with children shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in their lives!
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure your supporting statement is tailored to the Person Specification. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match what we're looking for. This is your chance to stand out!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your CV and supporting statement clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our careers page! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Brent.
How to prepare for a job interview at Brent Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of paediatric occupational therapy assessments and interventions. Familiarise yourself with the Disability Facilities Grant legislation, as you'll likely be asked how you would apply this in real scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in supervising and mentoring staff. Think about specific situations where you've led a team or influenced practice positively, as this role requires strong leadership within a multi-disciplinary environment.
✨Connect with the Community
Understand Brent's diverse community and think about how you can contribute to their needs. Be ready to discuss how you would engage with families and collaborate with social care colleagues to deliver holistic, child-focused solutions.
✨Demonstrate Compassion and Professionalism
This role is all about making a difference in the lives of children with disabilities. Prepare to share stories that reflect your compassionate approach and professional judgement, showing how you prioritise the well-being and independence of the children and families you work with.