At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of therapeutic frameworks in schools to support children with additional needs.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to transforming education through therapeutic expertise.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours and the chance to make a real impact in education.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that empowers schools and enhances student outcomes through innovative practices.
- Qualifications: Must have a degree in Occupational Therapy and HCPC registration, with experience in educational settings.
- Other info: Travel to schools is required; this role offers both part-time and full-time options.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: National (travel to schools required)
Contract Type: Flexible (Part-time or Full-time)
Salary: Competitive (based on experience)
Transforming Independent Education with Therapeutic Expertise
We are seeking an exceptional Consultant Occupational Therapist to help shape and implement a sector-leading therapeutic model across our independent schools. This is a unique opportunity to drive meaningful change, empowering schools to meet the diverse sensory, motor, and coordination needs of their students.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assessment and Audits: Conduct school-wide audits and individual assessments to identify gaps in provision and support.
- Training and Development: Deliver tailored training sessions to teachers, SENCOs, and staff on sensory processing, motor coordination, and classroom strategies.
- Advice and Recommendations: Provide expert guidance to school leadership teams, helping to embed therapeutic approaches into daily practice.
- Resource Development: Create tools, frameworks, and practical resources that can be applied in classrooms and school environments.
- Therapeutic Programme Design: Support the development of bespoke intervention programmes for students with specific needs, including sensory regulation and motor skill development.
- Independent Practitioner Oversight: Review and monitor the work of independent practitioners providing OT services across schools. Ensure their processes, assessments, and recommendations align with the organisation's ethos and therapeutic model. Provide constructive feedback to ensure their interventions are proportionate, appropriate, and tailored to the needs of children.
- Collaboration: Work closely with school staff, parents, and external professionals to ensure a holistic and consistent approach.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Develop systems to measure the impact of therapeutic interventions on student outcomes and school practices.
Person Specification:
We are looking for a dynamic and experienced Occupational Therapist who can inspire, innovate, and collaborate effectively. The ideal candidate will have:
- Professional Qualifications: A degree in Occupational Therapy and current registration with the HCPC.
- Experience: Significant experience in paediatric or educational settings, with expertise in sensory processing and motor coordination.
- Training Skills: Proven ability to deliver engaging and impactful training sessions.
- Analytical Skills: A strong understanding of assessment tools, data collection, and intervention planning.
- Resourcefulness: Creative thinking in designing practical tools and strategies for diverse educational settings.
- Oversight Expertise: The ability to evaluate and guide the work of independent practitioners to ensure alignment with organisational values and best practices.
- Communication: Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills to engage with multiple stakeholders.
- Commitment: Passion for improving outcomes for children and young people with additional needs.
Why Join Us?
- Be at the forefront of therapeutic innovation in education.
- Work within a forward-thinking organisation committed to inclusion and excellence.
- Shape a legacy of transformative support across multiple schools.
- Enjoy flexibility in working hours and the opportunity to make a lasting impact.
How to Apply:
To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your experience and vision for integrating therapeutic practices in schools to [email address] by [deadline date]. For further information about this role or an informal discussion, please contact Kicha Mitchell at [contact information]. Join us in making a difference. Together, we'll help every child thrive.
Consultant Occupational Therapist employer: Polaris
Contact Detail:
Polaris Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Consultant Occupational Therapist
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the field of occupational therapy, especially those who work in educational settings. Attend relevant workshops or conferences to meet potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends in therapeutic practices.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children in independent schools. Research the challenges they face regarding sensory processing and motor coordination, and think about how your expertise can address these issues effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in delivering training sessions. Think of examples where you've successfully engaged educators and staff, and be ready to share your strategies for making complex concepts accessible and actionable.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to collaborate with various stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you worked closely with school staff, parents, and external professionals to create a holistic approach to student support.
We think you need these skills to ace Consultant Occupational Therapist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in paediatric or educational settings, particularly focusing on sensory processing and motor coordination. Use specific examples that demonstrate your expertise and impact.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, detail your vision for integrating therapeutic practices in schools. Discuss how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, and express your passion for improving outcomes for children with additional needs.
Highlight Training Experience: Emphasise any previous experience you have in delivering training sessions. Provide examples of how you have successfully engaged and impacted teachers and staff, showcasing your ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.
Showcase Collaborative Skills: Demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including school staff, parents, and external professionals. Include examples of past collaborations that led to successful outcomes for students.
How to prepare for a job interview at Polaris
✨Showcase Your Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your qualifications and experience in detail, especially your work in paediatric or educational settings. Highlight specific examples of how you've successfully implemented therapeutic strategies and the impact they had on students.
✨Demonstrate Training Skills
Since training teachers and staff is a key responsibility, think of engaging ways to present your training approach. You might even consider preparing a mini-training session to showcase your ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Anticipate questions that may ask how you would handle specific situations, such as conducting assessments or developing intervention programmes. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Collaboration with various stakeholders is crucial in this role. Be ready to discuss your experience working with school staff, parents, and external professionals, and how you ensure a holistic approach to support children with additional needs.