Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist in Southend-on-Sea

Your New Organisation

Southend-on-Sea City Council is a unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who work alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend. Working for Southend-on-Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovative environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work-life balance.

Your New Role

Are you an experienced and innovative Occupational Therapist looking for a role where you can influence whole systems, shape inclusive practice and lead exciting SEND developments without managing a traditional caseload? We are looking for a highly specialist, impact-driven Occupational Therapist to join our SEND Therapies team at an exciting time of development and reform. This is a unique opportunity to shape inclusive practice across Southend schools and settings through strategic projects, workforce development and system-wide approaches that make a real difference for children and young people. This contract is offered on a full-time and 2-year fixed-term contract basis.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide specialist advice and support to mainstream schools and settings to enhance provision for children and young people with physical and sensory needs.
• Lead and supervise a team of Occupational Therapy Assistants delivering targeted support.
• Monitor, develop, and evaluate service delivery, including data collection and reporting.
• Contribute to service improvement and policy development.

What You'll Need to Succeed

This is not a traditional caseload-holding post. Instead, you will have the opportunity to lead innovative projects, influence strategic developments and build capacity across the wider system. You will also supervise a Specialist Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapy Assistants, helping to shape and develop an ambitious and forward-thinking OT offer. You will be a qualified Occupational Therapist with HCPC and RCOT registration and significant experience supporting children and young people with physical and sensory needs.

You will also have:

• Extensive SEND and education sector experience.
• Strong knowledge of SEND legislation and inclusive practice.
• Proven leadership and staff management experience.
• Excellent communication and partnership-working skills.
• A passion for improving outcomes for children and young people.

What you need to do now

If you are interested in this role, please click 'apply online' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV. Please note: Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above, so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to. All applicants for this role will require an enhanced DBS check. The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief.