OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST DEVELOPMENT POST - SI (full time) in Lymington

Exciting opportunity for a Specialist Occupational Therapist to join the Dynamic MindSenseAbility Team! We welcome applications from newly qualified therapists and experienced practitioners who have an interest in Sensory Integration. Are you enthusiastic, flexible and committed to making a real difference in the lives of young people? MindSenseAbility (MSA) offers an incredible opportunity to join our team in the stunning New Forest, where we transform the lives of young people (up to the age of 25) with autism, developmental trauma and mental health challenges.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

MindSenseAbility is a cutting‑edge therapeutic service that combines therapy, education and mental health into a seamless program tailored to each young person and their family. Our Occupational Therapy team uses Ayres Sensory Integration and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy informed approaches to meet their needs, delivering interventions across our centre, our new specialist school (East Street Farm), local schools, homes and the community. We are looking for a passionate Occupational Therapist with experience in autism, learning disabilities or mental health and HCPC registration (OTs awaiting HCPC registration will be considered). The role includes delivering specialist assessments and interventions, including Ayres Sensory Integration, working with families and a multidisciplinary team to create life‑changing outcomes.

About the Post

Full time – 37.5 hours per week, pro rata 41 weeks – term time plus two weeks annually. Part‑time hours will be considered. Salary is negotiable, dependent on experience, FTE range £32,073–£48,117 – equivalent to NHS Bands 5‑6.

Benefits

• A collaborative, supportive team across Speech and Language Therapy, Psychology, Psychiatry, Teaching and Outreach.
• Clinical supervision and professional development in line with RCOT and HCPC standards, plus internal and external opportunities.
• A supportive work environment with an experienced administrative team and strong colleague network.
• Access to a pension scheme.

Person Specification

Experience

• Ability to work within a framework of reflective practice and supervision (clinical).
• Able to complete delegated clinical tasks using own initiative and judgment.
• Good skills in managing own time, prioritising tasks and working independently.
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs and requirements of the young people.
• Effective communication skills, verbal and written, adaptable to needs.
• Efficient and dependable working practices.
• IT literate with a working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Ability to create reports for diverse audiences and write fluently and accurately.
• Flexible and adaptable, responding to changing needs of students and service users.
• High level of communication knowledge, underpinned by theory and practical experience.
• Experience of facilitating initial therapy assessments to create a programme of therapy/treatment.
• Recent experience delivering programmes of treatments to people and children with complex needs, mental health difficulties, learning disabilities and autism.
• Experience of working in education and mental health.

General & Specialist Knowledge

• Understanding of all therapy strands at MSA (Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Psychology).
• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities in an educational environment.
• Understanding of needs of students with learning difficulties and/or other disabilities.
• Knowledge of prioritisation processes and procedures.
• Understanding of health and safety in a learning environment.
• Experience of multidisciplinary team assessment and working.

Qualifications

• BSc or MSc in Occupational Therapy.
• Registered member of HCPC.
• Final year students approaching completion of course considered.
• Ability and willingness to complete training to a certified level in Ayres Sensory Integration Therapy, including training to administer the EASI and other sensory integration assessment tools.
• Views and beliefs compatible with the aims and mission of MSA.
• Enthusiasm to work with young people to encourage learning and independence.
• Full driving licence and access to own vehicle.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check.