At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative interventions for autistic adults, focusing on prevention and system-wide influence.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Harrow's pioneering Autism Function in Adult Social Care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on training and workforce development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of autistic adults and shape future care practices.
- Qualifications: Registered Occupational Therapist with experience in autism and complex neurodevelopmental profiles.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
The London Borough of Harrow is creating a specialist Autism Function within Adult Social Care, designed as a preventative, high-impact intervention to reduce avoidable harm, inequality and high-cost escalation for autistic adults. We are seeking a Senior Occupational Therapist with strong autism expertise to play a pivotal role in this function. This is a senior, specialist post, focused on early intervention, formulation, sensory and environmental adaptation, and system-wide influence - not a traditional equipment-led OT role.
You will be embedded within the Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism (MHLDA) service, applying specialist OT expertise upstream, before distress escalates into crisis, hospital admission, or high-cost packages of care, but also support cases where there is a need for specialist expertise to reduce restrictions and support independence. This role is ideal for an OT who wants to work at the interface of practice, prevention, public health and system leadership.
The Senior Occupational Therapist will:
- intervene early in high-risk situations
- reduce reliance on restrictive and staffing-intensive support models
- stabilise placements
- support accurate formulation of need
- build autism-informed capability across Adult Social Care and partners.
Key Responsibilities:
- Specialist Practice & Prevention
- Provide autism- and sensory-informed assessment and formulation for adults at risk of escalation.
- Design sensory, environmental and occupational interventions that reduce distress and prevent crisis.
- Influence care planning to reduce reliance on 1:1 / 2:1 staffing and containment-based models.
- Support stabilisation of placements, tenancies and daily routines.
- Contribute to safeguarding responses that understand autism rather than misinterpret distress as behavioural risk.
- System Leadership & Consultation
- Provide specialist consultation and advice to social workers, care managers, AMHPs and managers.
- Support targeted review of high-intensity packages, identifying unmet autism-related needs.
- Influence provider practice through review activity, commissioning conversations and quality work.
- Contribute to system learning.
- Partnership & Integration
- Work closely with Social Care colleagues, CNWL, health partners, housing services and commissioning.
- Contribute to the development of autism-informed approaches across the local system.
- Workforce Development
- Deliver training, case consultation and reflective learning to improve autism capability across the workforce.
- Champion trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming practice.
You will:
- Be a registered Occupational Therapist (HCPC).
- Have significant post-qualifying experience working with autistic adults or people with complex neurodevelopmental profiles.
- Have strong expertise in sensory integration, environmental adaptation and functional formulation.
- Be confident working with complexity, ambiguity and risk.
- Understand how autism intersects with trauma, mental ill-health, safeguarding and capacity.
- Be able to influence practice beyond your own caseload.
- Be comfortable working flexibly across community, office and partnership settings.
We welcome applicants with experience in Adult Social Care, mental health, learning disability, forensic or complex community settings.
Senior Occupational Therapist in Harrow employer: Tempest Resourcing Limited
Tempest Resourcing Limited is an excellent employer for Community Occupational Therapists, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With the flexibility of hybrid working in the picturesque South Lakes, Cumbria, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of adults while enjoying competitive pay and potential contract extensions.
Contact Details:
Tempest Resourcing Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Occupational Therapist in Harrow
✨Connect Through Professional Networks
Join associations related to therapy and counselling, like the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). They often have job boards, events, and forums where you can meet potential employers and like-minded professionals. Being active in these spaces can give you a significant edge.
✨Show Up at Local Mental Health Events
Look for workshops, seminars, and conferences focused on mental health in your area. Not only can you learn valuable insights, but you can also network with professionals who might be aware of full-time opportunities, like the ones at Tempest Resourcing Limited. Plus, showing your passion for the field in person can leave a lasting impression.
✨Utilise Online Platforms Tailored to Counselling
Websites like TherapyJobs or Indeed specifically cater to therapy professionals. Make sure to check these regularly for new listings, and consider setting up alerts to stay ahead of the game. Plus, applying directly through these platforms can sometimes give you better visibility.
✨Leverage University Career Services
If you’re recently graduated or still in school, don't forget to tap into your university's career resources. They often have exclusive listings for full-time positions and can help you refine your interview skills. Plus, they might connect you with alumni who’re already working at places like Tempest Resourcing Limited.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Occupational Therapist in Harrow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Qualifications:Make sure to showcase any relevant qualifications you've completed, such as a degree in psychology or counselling certifications. This is super important in the therapy and counselling field, so don’t skip over these details in your CV.
Showcase Your Empathy Skills:In your cover letter, it's essential to demonstrate your empathy and communication skills, which are key in therapy. Share specific examples from your previous experiences where you've effectively helped someone through a tough time—this will make your application stand out.
Demonstrate Your Continued Learning:We love seeing candidates who are committed to ongoing professional development. Mention any workshops, seminars, or additional training you’ve attended recently. This not only boosts your CV but shows your passion for the field.
Personalise Your Application for Tempest Resourcing Limited:Take some time to research Tempest Resourcing Limited and reflect this understanding in your application. Explain why you’re interested in working with them specifically and how your values align with their approach—this personal touch can make all the difference!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tempest Resourcing Limited
✨Show Your Empathy and Communication Skills
In therapy and counselling, it's all about how well you connect with others. Be ready to share examples of how you've demonstrated empathy, active listening, and non-verbal communication in past experiences. Your ability to create rapport with clients is key, so let that shine through!
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to face some scenario-based questions that assess your practical skills in dealing with clients. Think of various client situations or challenges you've encountered or could encounter. Practice how you would respond, ensuring you highlight your problem-solving abilities and therapeutic techniques.
✨Highlight Your Continuing Education
Being in a full-time role in therapy means you need to stay updated with the latest techniques and theories. Mention any professional development courses you've taken recently, or plans you have for ongoing education. This shows that you’re committed to growth in your field and eager to help your clients with the best approaches.
✨Finesse Your Personal Statement
In therapy, your personal statement is a chance to showcase who you are beyond your qualifications. Tailor it to not just highlight your credentials but also your passion for helping others. Share personal stories or insights that led you to this profession, reinforcing why you'd be a great fit for Tempest Resourcing Limited's values and approach.
