Principal Therapist – Watford in England

We are proud to be recruiting on behalf of a highly regarded specialist educational organisation dedicated to the support and development of autistic children and young people. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Occupational Therapist to step into a senior clinical leadership role within a passionate, multidisciplinary team. This is a rare chance to join a school-based therapy service at a pivotal time — the organisation is actively growing its therapy team and is committed to providing sector-leading, transdisciplinary care. If you are motivated by meaningful work and want to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people aged up to 22 years, this role is worth exploring.

As Principal Occupational Therapist, you will hold senior accountability for therapy outcomes within the school and work alongside the Head of Therapy and school senior leadership team to drive quality, innovation, and continuous improvement. The role balances direct clinical delivery (up to 50% of directed time) with strategic leadership, governance, and team management responsibilities. You will supervise and line manage a small team of therapists, lead on EHCP‑aligned intervention planning, and play a key role in shaping the school's therapeutic and educational provision.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead clinical governance, quality assurance and compliance with professional standards across the therapy team
• Oversee assessment, diagnosis and therapeutic planning in line with individual Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
• Deliver group and individual occupational therapy (up to 50% of directed time)
• Provide clinical supervision and professional development support for therapy staff
• Support and advise on safeguarding matters, leading investigations and producing detailed reports
• Contribute to school improvement planning, self-evaluation and KPI reporting
• Build and manage relationships with external stakeholders including families, education professionals and university/research partners
• Lead on local recruitment, retention and career pathway development within the therapy team
• Maintain own HCPC registration and ensure colleagues maintain registration with relevant professional bodies

What We Are Looking For

• HCPC‑registered Occupational Therapist with significant post‑qualification experience (minimum 6 years)
• Senior leadership or management experience within a school‑based or specialist therapy setting — autism‑specific experience highly desirable
• Proven experience delivering clinical supervision
• Strong understanding of EHCP frameworks and transdisciplinary approaches to autism education
• Track record of stakeholder engagement and partnership development
• Commitment to evidence‑based practice and innovation in autism therapy
• Excellent communication, project management and strategic planning skills
• Understanding of therapeutic curriculum development and quality assurance in independent special schools

Why This Role Stands Out

• Term‑time contract with full pay during school holidays — approximately 12 weeks paid leave per year
• A stable, high‑retention team environment — colleagues with tenure of 25+ years
• Growing therapy team: a genuine opportunity to shape and build something significant
• Comprehensive benefits package including pension, Simply Health cash plan, 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, retail discounts and more
• Access to specialist CPD, an online learning academy, and qualification funding
• Relocation support considered for the right candidate
• Meaningful, values‑driven work with a nationally recognised organisation