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- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to provide innovative therapy for autistic children and young people.
- Company: Join a highly regarded educational organisation dedicated to meaningful support.
- Benefits: Enjoy term-time contracts, generous leave, and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on young lives while shaping a growing therapy team.
- Qualifications: HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist with significant experience and leadership skills.
- Other info: Access to professional development and relocation support for the right candidate.
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
- 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
- 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 Occupational Therapist - Watford in Stevenage employer: RGH-Global | People Services
Contact Detail:
RGH-Global | People Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Occupational Therapist - Watford in Stevenage
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the occupational therapy field, especially those who work with autistic children. They might know about opportunities that aren't advertised yet or can give you a heads-up on what to expect in interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the organisation's values and recent developments. Show us that you're not just interested in the role but also passionate about their mission to support autistic children. Tailor your answers to reflect how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your clinical scenarios! As a Principal Occupational Therapist, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in EHCPs and transdisciplinary approaches. We recommend running through potential case studies with a friend or mentor to sharpen your responses.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for joining our growing therapy team and making a real impact in the lives of young people.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Occupational Therapist - Watford in Stevenage
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Principal Occupational Therapist role. Highlight your leadership experience and any work with autistic children, as this will show us you’re a great fit for our team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about working in a school-based therapy setting and how your values align with ours. Be genuine and let your personality come through!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. Whether it’s improving therapy outcomes or leading successful projects, we want to see how you’ve made a difference.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there!
How to prepare for a job interview at RGH-Global | People Services
✨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 and management experience. Think about times when you've led a team or driven quality improvements, as this will be crucial for the Principal Occupational Therapist position.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be ready to talk about your experience in building relationships with external stakeholders. This could include families, education professionals, or research partners. Show them you understand the importance of collaboration in achieving therapy outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Passion for Impact
This role is all about making a difference in the lives of young people. Share your motivation for working in this field and any meaningful experiences that have shaped your commitment to evidence-based practice and innovation in autism therapy.