Specialist Children and Young People\'s Occupational Therapist

To provide a high-quality children and young people's occupational therapy service to a caseload of children and young people with a variety of physical, learning, emotional and social needs (including children with statutory needs, e.g. vulnerable children and child protection issues/concerns) in a variety of community settings, nurseries, mainstream and special needs schools within the neighbourhood. This role will require the Therapist to work part of the week in a special school.

Our values guide everything we do. We are committed to Accountability, ensuring safe and effective practice; Inclusion, making sure every child and family feels heard and respected; Compassion, offering care that is understanding and supportive; and Empowerment, helping children gain confidence and independence in their daily lives.

Main duties of the job:

• Deliver a high-quality, inclusive Occupational Therapy service to a varied caseload of children and young people aged 0-19 years, with physical, learning, and emotional needs, including those who may be vulnerable or require safeguarding support.
• Provide compassionate and child-centred intervention, ensuring therapy is meaningful, accessible and empowering for every child and family.
• Independently manage a caseload across a range of community and school settings, working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to promote positive outcomes.
• Demonstrate accountability and professional responsibility through effective clinical reasoning, clear communication and timely documentation.
• Work in partnership with families, carers, educators and other professionals, fostering an environment where everyone's voice is valued and included in decision-making.

About us:

We are proud to be one of the largest community healthcare providers in the country, with more than 4,500 colleagues caring for over four million people across London and Hertfordshire. Every day, our teams bring their skill, compassion, and determination to the people who depend on us. What inspires us is at the heart of who we are: when we work together, we can help people move forward in ways that truly matter. Our teams support children as they take their first steps in life, and they stand beside adults as they rebuild strength, confidence, and independence.

Job responsibilities:

Successful applicants will be required to demonstrate alignment with the Trust's values - Accountability, Inclusion, Compassion, and Empowerment, alongside fulfilling the duties detailed in the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Person Specification:

Education/Qualification:

• Degree or equivalent Diploma/Qualification in OT
• The successful candidate must apply for and receive satisfactory clearance of suitability from the Criminal Records Bureau prior to confirmation and commencement of employment within the Trust
• Registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC)
• Member of professional body; COT Specialist section CYPF, SI network, BAOT
• Post qualification training in topics such as visual perception, neurological dysfunction, psychology, counselling, family work
• Wheelchair assessors' certificate - basic
• Attendance at workshops/seminars in paediatric OT

Experience:

• Proven and relevant experience in paediatrics as a specialist OT
• Experience of working with people with a wide range of permanent disabilities and short-term illness
• Experience in assessing and treating patients with neurological impairment and young people with disabilities
• Experience as a paediatric OT post qualification
• Experience of working in a special school environment
• Experience working with Social Services OT's
• Understanding of cultural differences and their impact on OT provision.
• Experience of initiation or involvement in service development/projects
• Experience with splinting
• Experience of psychosocial aspects of working with families of children with disabilities

Skills & Knowledge:

• Basic knowledge of the developmental stages of children and young people
• Awareness of the psychological and social factors of dysfunction and disability
• An ability to use clinical and ethical reasoning skills to analyse and interpret assessment findings, plan and evaluate intervention programmes
• An understanding of the boundaries of the Occupational Therapist role within the paediatric field
• Ability to reflect on clinical practice and experience
• Ability to recognise and manage difference of opinion in both client related and inter-professional situations
• Willing to learn and grow professionally with a commitment to lifelong learning
• Knowledge of Educational Legislation and the National Curriculum
• Knowledge of the legislation relating to children; NHS Plan, modernisation agenda, and children's NSF, legislation relating to education and SEN.
• Ability to be innovative and use initiative in practice

Key Attributes:

• Ability to organise and prioritise workload
• Ability to work in a team, with a range of professionals from statutory bodies
• Calm and consistent approach to stressful situations
• Ability to work collaboratively with others in a team which involves sharing the values, vision and commitment of the team and respecting each member's skills
• Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively with parents and carers and others using effective listening skills, non-verbal communication and establishing an appropriate rapport
• Candidate must also possess emotional integrity and demonstrate ability to cope with difficult/highly emotive situations
• Ability to work effectively within a team
• Ability to think creatively
• Experience of teaching/presenting to professionals, colleagues or carers

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.

£46,419 to £55,046 a year per annum, inclusive of HCAS.