Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people with complex needs through therapeutic interventions and collaborative teamwork.
- Company: Join a leading specialist education provider dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 35 days holiday, competitive salary, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified Occupational Therapist with experience in therapeutic interventions.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to supporting all team members.
The predicted salary is between 37400 - 44800 £ per year.
£43,453 - £52,493 + excellent benefits
Those Huge Small Victories
Our clinicians are fulfilled by the idea of affecting even the smallest positive changes in our young people, so we celebrate the little things.
This role is based at Ashbrooke School. We will accept applications for anyone interested in term-time only as well as full/part-time.
Ashbrooke School is an independent specialist day school providing high quality education for boys and girls. Based in Sunderland, the school meets the needs of a diverse group of pupils who have a range of Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, complex educational needs, communication difficulties and challenging behaviours.
Our clinicians are a crucial part of the most joined-up model in SEND. Across all of our specialist schools and children’s homes, we provide unrivalled levels of clinical support, both in terms of our expertise and breadth of provision. Our young people present with a complexity of need including developmental trauma, neuro-developmental conditions and special educational needs.
As part of a multi-disciplinary clinical team you will be supporting educational and residential colleagues to provide therapeutic living and learning environments and, based on clinical assessment and formulation, offer individualised interventions and engagement to our young people.
Our Occupational Therapists work collaboratively within our schools and children’s homes, ensuring that therapeutic support permeates every aspect of the education, care and support we offer all of our children and young people. You will provide consultation, workshops, training and guidance to the educational and residential teams around our children.
What we do for you
- Training: A full induction and on the job training
- Holiday: You’ll work hard at WG, so you’ll be rewarded with 35 days holiday including bank holidays
- Clinical Development: If career growth and professional advancement is your thing, we provide a leading programme of clinical learning and development
- Flexible benefits: meaning you can increase/decrease benefits such as life insurance
- Wellbeing: a host of wellbeing tools and advice including employee assistance
- Medical cover so you can claim back the cost of things like an opticians or dentist appointment and a host of high-street discounts
- Beautiful working environments with the very best facilities
- A recommend a friend scheme that offers a £1,000 bonus every time
Bring your whole self to work
Our young people come from all walks of life, diverse backgrounds and with different needs – and our workforce reflects that diversity, so that our teams can engage, encourage and inspire our young people to be themselves.
The kind of person we’re looking for will:
- Be a qualified Occupational Therapist registered with the HCPC
- Have experience and be skilled in delivering therapeutic interventions for children and young people with complex needs
- Need experience of supporting teams around a child or young person to ensure they are being provided with clinically informed living and learning environments and experiences
- Be a confident, engaging and effective model, guide, leader and trainer.
- Be highly organised and ready to take the initiative
- Be committed to ensuring the best outcomes for young people
This is a great opportunity to change young lives and have a positive impact on their future. Embedded within our living and learning environments you will be offered the support, resource and platform for you to do great things. You’ll benefit from supervision, a clinical development programme and access to a 220+ strong team of multi-disciplinary clinical colleagues who will be with you every step of the way.
Interested in joining us?
At Witherslack Group, inclusion is part of who we are. We’re committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, valued and that they truly belong.
As a specialist provider of education and care for children and young people with special educational needs, we understand the importance of embracing individuality and championing difference - especially when it comes to neurodiversity. We celebrate diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and the unique strengths that each person brings to our community.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. We are proud to be recognised as an inclusive employer and are committed to making our recruitment and workplace practices inclusive and accessible. If you need any adjustments to support you through the recruitment process or in the workplace, we’ll be there every step of the way.
By building a diverse and inclusive team, we’re better able to support the children, young people and families we serve and ensure every member of our team can thrive, grow, and be their authentic self.
The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (we will cover the cost) and an online search. We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.
Occupational Therapist in Sunderland employer: Witherslack Group
Contact Detail:
Witherslack Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Occupational Therapist in Sunderland
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Ashbrooke School on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your interview. Personal connections can give you the inside scoop!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding the specific needs of the young people you'll be working with. Brush up on therapeutic interventions for SEMH needs and think about how you can contribute to creating those positive changes in their lives.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your collaborative spirit! During the interview, highlight examples of how you've worked with multi-disciplinary teams in the past. This role is all about teamwork, so let them know you're ready to jump in and support your colleagues.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare thoughtful questions about the school’s approach to therapy and support for their students. This shows your genuine interest and helps you figure out if it’s the right fit for you. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Occupational Therapist in Sunderland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for working with young people shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in their lives, so share your experiences and motivations!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific role of an Occupational Therapist at Ashbrooke School. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with our mission and the needs of our young people.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This helps us understand your qualifications and fit for the role quickly.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and gives you a chance to explore more about us and what we do.
How to prepare for a job interview at Witherslack Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Occupational Therapy, especially in relation to children and young people with complex needs. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges they face and be ready to discuss how your skills can help address these issues.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare examples from your past work where you've successfully implemented therapeutic interventions. Highlight any collaborative efforts with educational or residential teams, as this role requires a strong team player who can support others in providing the best care.
✨Emphasise Your Passion
Let your enthusiasm for making a difference shine through. Talk about why you’re drawn to working with young people and how you celebrate their small victories. This will resonate well with the ethos of the school and show that you align with their values.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the role and the school’s approach to supporting children with SEMH needs. This shows your genuine interest and helps you gauge if the environment is the right fit for you.
