At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and deliver specialist therapy for autistic children in a supportive school environment.
- Company: Renowned charity provider dedicated to exceptional autism education and support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 12 weeks paid holidays, healthcare cash plan, and professional development.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with excellent growth opportunities and a supportive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children with autism while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Strong clinical expertise and leadership experience in therapy for autism and complex needs.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 60000 € per year.
£48,000 to £60,000 per annum (DOE) Term-time only, 35 hours per week Watford, Hertfordshire
Compass Associates are delighted to be partnering with a renowned charity provider of specialist autism education and support. With an extensive portfolio of specialist schools, residential services and community programmes, they are dedicated to providing exceptional education, care and therapeutic support for autistic children and young people with complex needs.
Together, we are seeking an experienced Principal Therapist to join their specialist school in Watford, Hertfordshire, supporting children and young people with autism and complex needs. This is a senior clinical leadership role ideal for an experienced therapist looking to combine hands-on therapy with team leadership and service development within a multidisciplinary school environment. You will play a key role in ensuring therapy is fully integrated into the educational experience, supporting students to achieve meaningful outcomes both academically and developmentally.
Key Responsibilities- Deliver specialist Occupational Therapy interventions to children and young people with autism and complex needs
- Provide clinical leadership and supervision to therapists and therapy assistants
- Support the implementation of evidence-based therapy approaches across the setting
- Ensure therapy services align with current SEND and Ofsted frameworks
- Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and school leadership discussions
- Strong clinical expertise across speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, psychology, or related disciplines, with registration to the appropriate professional bodies, e.g. HCPC
- Significant experience working with autism and complex needs
- Previous leadership experience (2 years minimum) or extensive experience as a senior therapist
- Strong understanding of EHCP processes and SEND frameworks
- Experience working in education, specialist schools, SEN settings, or paediatric services
- Excellent communication and leadership skills
This role offers a salary of £48,000 to £60,000 per annum, dependent on experience and qualifications, alongside a generous benefits package including:
- 12 weeks paid school holidays (term-time only contract, full pay)
- Auto-enrolled pension scheme
- Enhanced sick pay
- Comprehensive induction and ongoing professional development
- Healthcare Cash Plan
- Life Assurance
- Online staff discount platform (shopping discounts, cycle to work, season ticket loan and more)
- Access to 24-hour employee assistance programme and Headspace App
- Flexible benefits and salary sacrifice schemes
If you’re an experienced SALT, OT, Psychologist or similar, looking for your next challenge in a specialist school, please contact Harriet Bradbury on 0161 527 9634, or email your CV to hbradbury@compassltd.co.uk.
Recommendations Compass Associates Ltd is acting as a Recruitment Consultancy for this permanent vacancy. We offer a £500 voucher/charity donation for successful referrals following completion of probation.
Principal Therapist employer: Compass Associates
As a leading charity provider of specialist autism education and support, this organisation offers a rewarding work environment where you can make a real difference in the lives of children and young people with complex needs. With a strong focus on professional development, generous benefits including 12 weeks of paid school holidays, and a supportive multidisciplinary team culture, this role as Principal Therapist in Watford provides an excellent opportunity for career growth while contributing to meaningful outcomes for students.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Therapist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the autism and therapy fields. Attend relevant events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to therapy and leadership. Think about your experiences with autism and complex needs, and how you can showcase your skills. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or colleagues to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for the role! When you get the chance to speak with potential employers, share your enthusiasm for working with autistic children and your vision for integrating therapy into their education. Let them see how committed you are!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for talented individuals like you to join our team and make a difference in the lives of children with autism.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Therapist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Therapist role. Highlight your experience with autism and complex needs, and don’t forget to showcase any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about working in a specialist school and how your background makes you the perfect fit. We love hearing personal stories that connect to our mission.
Showcase Your Clinical Expertise:In your application, be sure to highlight your clinical expertise in areas like speech and language therapy or occupational therapy. We’re keen to see how your qualifications and experience can contribute to our multidisciplinary team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our fantastic team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Associates
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your clinical expertise, especially in areas like speech and language therapy or occupational therapy. Be ready to discuss specific interventions you've implemented for children with autism and complex needs, as this will show your depth of knowledge and experience.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Since this role involves clinical leadership, prepare examples of how you've led teams or supervised other therapists. Think about times when you’ve contributed to service development or improved therapy approaches, as these experiences will highlight your capability in a senior role.
✨Understand the Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the current SEND and Ofsted frameworks. Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure that therapy services align with these standards, as this is crucial for the role and demonstrates your commitment to quality education and care.
✨Engage in Multidisciplinary Discussions
This position requires collaboration with various professionals. Think of examples where you've participated in multidisciplinary team meetings and how you contributed to discussions. Showing that you can effectively communicate and collaborate will set you apart from other candidates.
