At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide specialist autism assessments and interventions to support adults in crisis.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Harrow's innovative Adult Social Care team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Collaborative environment focused on prevention and high-impact interventions.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of autistic adults and influence systemic change.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered Occupational Therapist with experience in autism and sensory integration.
The predicted salary is between 46300 - 52800 € per year.
The London Borough of Harrow is creating a specialist Autism Function within Adult Social Care, designed as a preventative, high‑impact intervention to reduce avoidable harm, inequality and high‑cost escalation for autistic adults. We are seeking a Senior Occupational Therapist with strong autism expertise to play a pivotal role in this function. This is a senior, specialist post, focused on early intervention, formulation, sensory and environmental adaptation, and system‑wide influence — not a traditional equipment‑led OT role.
You will be embedded within the Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism (MHLDA) service, applying specialist OT expertise upstream, before distress escalates into crisis, hospital admission, or high‑cost packages of care, but also support cases where there is a need for specialist expertise to reduce restrictions and support independence. This role is ideal for an OT who wants to work at the interface of practice, prevention, public health and system leadership.
The Senior Occupational Therapist will:
- Intervene early in high‑risk situations
- Reduce reliance on restrictive and staffing‑intensive support models
- Stabilise placements
- Support accurate formulation of need
- Build autism‑informed capability across Adult Social Care and partners
Key Responsibilities:
- Specialist Practice & Prevention
- Provide autism‑ and sensory‑informed assessment and formulation for adults at risk of escalation.
- Design sensory, environmental and occupational interventions that reduce distress and prevent crisis.
- Influence care planning to reduce reliance on 1:1 / 2:1 staffing and containment‑based models.
- Support stabilisation of placements, tenancies and daily routines.
- Contribute to safeguarding responses that understand autism rather than misinterpret distress as behavioural risk.
- System Leadership & Consultation
- Provide specialist consultation and advice to social workers, care managers, AMHPs and managers.
- Support targeted review of high‑intensity packages, identifying unmet autism‑related needs.
- Influence provider practice through review activity, commissioning conversations and quality work.
- Contribute to system learning.
- Partnership & Integration
- Work closely with Social Care colleagues, CNWL, health partners, housing services and commissioning.
- Contribute to the development of autism‑informed approaches across the local system.
- Workforce Development
- Deliver training, case consultation and reflective learning to improve autism capability across the workforce.
- Champion trauma‑informed, neurodiversity‑affirming practice.
About You
- Be a registered Occupational Therapist (HCPC).
- Have significant post‑qualifying experience working with autistic adults or people with complex neurodevelopmental profiles.
- Have strong expertise in sensory integration, environmental adaptation and functional formulation.
- Be confident working with complexity, ambiguity and risk.
- Understand how autism intersects with trauma, mental ill‑health, safeguarding and capacity.
- Be able to influence practice beyond your own caseload.
- Be comfortable working flexibly across community, office and partnership settings.
We welcome applicants with experience in Adult Social Care, mental health, learning disability, forensic or complex community settings.
Senior Occupational Therapist (Autism Specialist Function) employer: Harrow Council
The London Borough of Harrow is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and innovative work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the community. As a Senior Occupational Therapist within the newly established Autism Function, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of autistic adults while benefiting from professional development, collaborative partnerships, and a commitment to early intervention strategies. Join us in a role that not only values your expertise but also encourages growth and leadership in a dynamic environment focused on improving public health outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Occupational Therapist (Autism Specialist Function)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the field of occupational therapy and autism. Attend relevant events 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 expertise! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your experience with sensory integration and environmental adaptation. Use real-life examples to demonstrate how you've made a difference in previous roles. This will help us see your impact and potential.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive in your approach! Don’t wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to organisations like the London Borough of Harrow and express your interest in their new Autism Function. A little initiative can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Utilise our website for applications! When you find a role that fits, apply through our platform. It streamlines the process and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Occupational Therapist (Autism Specialist Function)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Autism:When writing your application, let your passion for working with autistic adults shine through. Share specific experiences that highlight your expertise in sensory integration and environmental adaptation, as this will resonate with us at StudySmarter.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the role by using keywords from the job description. This shows us that you understand the position and are genuinely interested in contributing to our specialist Autism Function.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:Since this is a senior role, don’t forget to showcase your system leadership and consultation skills. Talk about how you've influenced practice or contributed to workforce development in previous roles, as this is key for us.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the hiring process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Harrow Council
✨Know Your Autism Expertise
Make sure you can clearly articulate your experience and knowledge in working with autistic adults. Prepare specific examples of how you've applied sensory integration and environmental adaptation in your previous roles, as this will be crucial for the position.
✨Demonstrate System Leadership Skills
Be ready to discuss how you've influenced practice beyond your own caseload. Think of instances where you've provided consultation or training to colleagues, and how that has improved outcomes for clients. This shows your ability to lead and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in high-risk situations. Prepare to discuss how you would intervene early to prevent crises and stabilise placements. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Showcase Your Partnership Approach
Highlight your experience working collaboratively with various stakeholders, such as social workers and health partners. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve contributed to developing autism-informed approaches and how you can bring that expertise to the role.
