At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to support autistic children through innovative therapy.
- Company: Join a respected educational organisation dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy full pay during school holidays and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional growth in a supportive, stable environment.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on young lives while shaping the future of therapy.
- Qualifications: Must be HCPC-registered with significant experience in occupational therapy.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 58500 £ per year.
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
Principal Therapist – Watford employer: RGH - Global Ltd
Join a highly regarded specialist educational organisation in Watford, dedicated to supporting autistic children and young people. As a Principal Occupational Therapist, you will thrive in a collaborative, values-driven environment that prioritises meaningful work and professional growth, offering a comprehensive benefits package and a term-time contract with generous paid leave. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a passionate team and make a lasting impact on the lives of young people while enjoying a stable and supportive workplace culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Therapist – Watford
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the field! Attend workshops, seminars, or even local meet-ups related to occupational therapy. Building relationships can lead to job opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Showcase Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share specific examples of your past successes and how they relate to the role. We want to see your passion for making a difference in the lives of young people.
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework on the organisation and its values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission, especially in supporting autistic children. We love candidates who show genuine interest and understanding of our work!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our amazing team.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Therapist – Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Principal Occupational Therapist role. Highlight your leadership experience and any work with autistic children to show us you’re the right fit!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our mission. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your achievements! Use specific examples of how you’ve made a difference in previous roles, especially in clinical governance or team management, to impress us.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at RGH - Global Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of EHCP frameworks and transdisciplinary approaches. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role, especially in relation to autism-specific therapy.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your senior leadership or management experience. Think about times when you've led a team or driven quality improvements, as this will be crucial for the Principal Therapist position.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be prepared to talk about your experience in building relationships with families and external professionals. This role involves a lot of collaboration, so demonstrating your stakeholder engagement skills will set you apart.
✨Bring Your Passion
This is a meaningful role, so let your passion for supporting autistic children shine through. Share stories that illustrate your commitment to making a lasting impact in their lives, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
