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- Tasks: Lead and manage occupational therapy services in SEMH schools, supporting pupils with complex needs.
- Company: Join the London Children’s Practice, dedicated to exceptional care for children and families.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, summer breaks, CPD opportunities, and exclusive discounts.
- Why this job: Make a life-changing impact while growing in a supportive, innovative environment.
- Qualifications: BSc/MSc in Occupational Therapy, HCPC registration, and 4+ years of experience required.
- Other info: Part-time or term-time contracts considered; comprehensive wellbeing support available.
The predicted salary is between 32900 - 39900 ÂŁ per year.
Location: Multi-Campus SEMH School Settings in South West London
Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Reports to: Team Lead and Director of Services for Occupational Therapy
Salary: £38,000 – £46,800 Depending on Experience
Contract: Summer Contract with the following benefits:
- 5 weeks off in the school summer break
- 22 days of annual leave + years of service allowance
- 1 CPD day to use towards training
- Annual CPD opportunities + Monthly internal CPD provided
- Exclusive discounts within Benefit Hub
- Competitive medical insurance rates
- A block of free counselling sessions
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric car purchase scheme
- A “Moment in Time” day a year to use as you please
- Life assurance
- Critical illness cover
We provide our staff with the support they need to succeed. Part time or Term-time contracts also considered.
Hours: 37.5 Hour Week Flexible working across 6 days (Monday-Saturday)
Job Purpose: The Lead Occupational Therapist will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing a high-quality occupational therapy provision across multiple campuses within Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) schools. This role combines leadership and clinical responsibilities and will work closely with education and therapeutic teams to support pupils with a range of complex needs and neurodivergence within primary and secondary settings.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership and Management
- Lead and coordinate the Occupational Therapy (OT) service across all campuses.
- Provide leadership and support for a team of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants.
- Develop and enforce OT policies, procedures, and service delivery models in line with LCP and whole-school strategies.
- Ensure effective allocation of caseloads and staff resources in the school settings.
- Attend leadership meetings and contribute to whole-school planning and development.
- Coordinate induction for new staff within the school settings to ensure streamlining of services.
- Foster strong collaborative working with the wider therapy team, senior management, and other health professionals on site.
- Communicate any performance or management concerns to your director of services.
- Deliver specialist OT assessments and interventions for pupils with SEMH and neurodiverse needs.
- Develop, monitor, and review individualised therapy plans.
- Provide clinical reports to support EHCPs, annual reviews, and tribunal processes.
- Promote inclusive practice through class-based strategies and environmental modifications.
- Lead on therapeutic interventions.
- Support transition planning and interventions for pupils moving between provisions.
- Design and deliver staff training to support with embedded occupational therapy strategies and neuro-affirming practices.
- Support the development of trauma-informed, therapeutic classrooms.
- Mentor staff on embedding OT strategies into everyday school life.
- Maintain accurate, confidential, and up-to-date records in accordance with GDPR and HCPC standards.
- Adhere to safeguarding responsibilities in line with school and local authority policy.
- Ensure service quality through audits, feedback, and continuous improvement.
Person Specification
- Essential
- BSc or MSc in Occupational Therapy
- HCPC Registration
- Royal College of Occupational Therapy Registration
- Minimum of 4 years’ post-qualification experience with complex children and young people
- Experience of working in SEMH, education, or alternative provision settings
- Leadership or service development experience
- Excellent understanding of attachment, trauma, and neurodevelopment
- Confident with report writing and multi-agency working
- Postgraduate training in trauma-informed care, or related specialisms
- Knowledge of SEND processes including EHCPs and Annual Reviews
- Experience working with Looked After Children or those with significant social care involvement
- Understanding of positive behaviour support approaches
What We Offer
- A passionate and forward-thinking team
- CPD opportunities and funded specialist training
- Clinical supervision and reflective practice sessions
- Opportunities to innovate and lead within a growing SEMH provision
- Staff wellbeing and flexible working options
- A chance to make a life-changing impact on young people
London Children’s Practice - Why Choose Us?
- Training Opportunities: We are committed to the ongoing professional development of our staff. As a member of our team, you'll have access to a wide range of training opportunities tailored to your individual interests and career goals.
- Wellbeing Support: We understand the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and prioritising employee wellbeing.
- Supervision and Mentoring Program: You’ll have the opportunity to work alongside experienced practitioners, gain hands-on experience in various areas of Paediatric OT, and receive guidance every step of the way.
- Clinical Development: We believe in investing in our team members' professional growth and development.
At LCP, we are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of people. All successful applicants will be subject to a fully enhanced DBS.
Lead Paediatric Occupational Therapist for SEMH Schools (London) employer: Outcomes First Group
Contact Detail:
Outcomes First Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Paediatric Occupational Therapist for SEMH Schools (London)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the SEMH and occupational therapy fields. Attend relevant workshops, seminars, or conferences to meet potential colleagues and learn about the latest practices. This can help you gain insights into the role and make valuable connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of SEMH schools and the challenges they face. Understanding the unique environment and requirements will allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and passion for the role during interviews and networking events.
✨Tip Number 3
Consider volunteering or shadowing in SEMH settings to gain hands-on experience. This not only enhances your CV but also gives you practical insights into the daily operations and challenges faced by occupational therapists in these environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your leadership and management experiences in detail. Since this role involves coordinating a team, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led projects or teams in the past, highlighting your ability to foster collaboration and support staff development.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Paediatric Occupational Therapist for SEMH Schools (London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in paediatric occupational therapy, especially within SEMH settings. Emphasise leadership roles and any specific training related to trauma-informed care or neurodiversity.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for working with children and young people with complex needs. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully implemented OT strategies in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly list your qualifications, including your BSc or MSc in Occupational Therapy and HCPC registration. If you have additional certifications or training, such as in SEND processes or positive behaviour support, make sure to include those too.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leadership, provide examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. Discuss your approach to mentoring staff and fostering collaboration within multidisciplinary teams.
How to prepare for a job interview at Outcomes First Group
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Paediatric Occupational Therapist, you'll be expected to lead and coordinate the OT service. Be prepared to discuss your previous leadership experiences, how you've managed teams, and any strategies you've implemented to improve service delivery.
✨Demonstrate Your Clinical Expertise
Highlight your experience with SEMH and neurodiverse needs during the interview. Be ready to provide examples of assessments and interventions you've conducted, as well as how you've developed individualised therapy plans for children.
✨Emphasise Collaborative Working
This role requires strong collaboration with education and therapeutic teams. Prepare to discuss how you've worked with multi-agency teams in the past, and share specific examples of successful partnerships that benefited the children you worked with.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex situations. Think about potential challenges you might face in this role and how you would approach them, particularly in relation to safeguarding and compliance.
