At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children’s therapy by providing hands-on treatment and managing your own caseload.
- Company: Join St George's NHS Trust, a leader in children's healthcare.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, term-time hours, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills in a rewarding role.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and knowledge of occupational therapy interventions are essential.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture focused on empowering children with diverse needs.
The predicted salary is between 25500 - 27000 £ per year.
An exciting new role has become available to support the Children’s Occupational Therapy team. The role of the Children’s Therapy service involves working with St George’s NHS Trust and the Local Authority in collaboration with a range of professionals from healthcare and other agencies as well as working in partnership with parents and carers.
Main duties of the job
- To work under own initiative to provide effective comprehensive clinical support to the SEND Occupational Therapy team at Queen Mary’s Hospital, in local mainstream schools and in other community settings including family homes.
- To provide hands on treatment to children who have previously been assessed by the Occupational Therapist and inform the therapist of the child’s progress and response to the intervention.
- To manage own caseload of allocated children with a variety of presentations with supervision of a qualified therapist.
Working for our organisation
The trust vision for 2028 is to provide outstanding care, together. With the help of our patients, staff and partners, we have chosen four overall aims for 2028 – our CARE objectives. These are the things we care about the most and will be central to achieving our vision:
- Collaboration and partnership
- Affordable services, fit for the future
We expect all our staff to share the values that are important to the Trust, being Excellent, Kind, Responsible & Respectful, and behave in a way that reflects these.
The Children’s Occupational Therapy team work in close partnership with the local authority to provide tailored, specialist support for children with diverse needs. By collaborating closely with schools, healthcare professionals, and families, they create individualised plans that foster independence, enhance skills, and promote overall well-being. Their holistic approach ensures that every child receives the support they need to thrive, both at school and at home, helping them reach their full potential. Through this collaborative effort, the team plays a vital role in empowering children to overcome challenges and build confidence in their abilities.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please read attached Job Description and Person Specification for details. This is a role that results in many applications. Please ensure application demonstrates knowledge/experience with OT interventions and working in schools. Please ensure that application shows that you have read the job description and you have tailored the application to the role. Copy and paste/AI generated statements will not be accepted.
Person specification
Experience
- Experience working in a school setting, directly with children
- Working in an office/clinic environment in an administrative or secretarial role
- Good standard of education – GCSE or equivalent in English Language and Maths
- Experience of using PC/ IT systems to support administration (e.g. Microsoft Office)
- Experience of online diary management and organisation of events/meetings
- Experience working within the NHS
- Experience in working with people with special needs
Knowledge
- Competent knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook and MSTeams
- Understanding of issues faced by people with physical disabilities
- Awareness of need for confidentiality and respecting dignity of clients
- Able to demonstrate teamwork
- Working in a specialist school or resource base
Skills and Abilities
- Good telephone skills
- Good spelling and grammar
- Able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
- Able to communicate sensitively, especially with parents/carers
- Able to prioritise own work
- Good organisational skills
- Able to deal with the general public
Other Qualities
- Good time management
- Good interpersonal skills
- Flexible and approachable
- Awareness of confidentiality
Your recruitment team
The NHS South West London Recruitment Hub is your dedicated recruitment team, here to support you at every stage of the process. If you have a query, please contact us: E: krft.askrecruitment@nhs.net
Your application
Please ensure your supporting statement clearly reflects the job description and person specification, as shortlisting will be based on these criteria. Please refer to the latest UKVI guidance and ensure you have the appropriate right to work before applying for this role.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
We kindly ask that you avoid using AI tools to draft your application. We value authentic, individual responses that reflect your own experience and communication style.
References
Please provide a minimum of 3 years’ employment and/or education history, including professional email addresses (not personal accounts such as Hotmail or Gmail). If you cannot provide these, please inform the interview panel to avoid delays in pre-employment checks.
Closing date
To help us manage recruitment efficiently, some vacancies may close early once we have received a sufficient number of applications.
Shortlisting
If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be contacted by email or SMS from the South West London Recruitment Hub. Please check your registered TRAC email regularly.
Application feedback
If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion.
Safeguarding and DBS Checks
We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. For roles with direct access to these groups, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required. All staff are expected to understand and uphold their safeguarding responsibilities as part of their role.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Occupational Therapy Assistant employer: Transformationunitgm
Contact Detail:
Transformationunitgm Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Occupational Therapy Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Research the Children’s Occupational Therapy team at St George's and understand their approach. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in their work.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for standing out in the application process. Personal connections can make a big difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to occupational therapy and working with children. Think about specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your skills and how you align with the Trust's values of being Excellent, Kind, Responsible & Respectful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply 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 the team at St George's.
We think you need these skills to ace Occupational Therapy Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to read the job description thoroughly and tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience with OT interventions and working in schools. We want to see how you fit into our team!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to mention your skills, especially those related to communication and organisation. We value good interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with children and families.
Be Authentic: Avoid using AI tools to draft your application. We appreciate genuine responses that reflect your own experiences and communication style. Let your personality shine through!
Apply Through Our Website: For a smooth application process, make sure to apply through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep everything organised!
How to prepare for a job interview at Transformationunitgm
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of an Occupational Therapy Assistant, especially in a children's setting. Brush up on your knowledge of OT interventions and how they apply in schools. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children with disabilities and how to support them effectively.
✨Tailor Your Application
Before the interview, ensure your application reflects the job description closely. Highlight your relevant experience working with children, particularly in school settings. Avoid generic statements; instead, share specific examples that demonstrate your skills and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Teamwork Skills
Collaboration is key in this role, so be prepared to discuss your experience working in teams. Think of examples where you've successfully partnered with others, whether in healthcare or educational settings, to achieve positive outcomes for children.
✨Communicate Effectively
During the interview, focus on your communication skills. Be clear and concise when answering questions, and don’t hesitate to show your sensitivity, especially when discussing interactions with parents and carers. This will demonstrate your ability to connect with families and support their children’s needs.