Occupational Therapist
10 days ago
Stevenage
Location: Stevenage\nContract: Permanent – Full time\nSalary: £35,000–£47,000 (Band 5-6 equivalent, depending on experience)\n\nHours: 32 hours Term time only\nStart Date: As soon as possible\n\nAs an Occupational Therapist, you will deliver high-quality, specialist OT provision across both primary and secondary SEN/SEMH/ASD/LD settings. The role focuses on enabling pupils to access learning, regulate effectively, develop independence, and participate meaningfully in school life.\n\nThe post-holder will be an integral part of the multi-disciplinary team, providing direct therapy, assessments, staff training, equipment recommendations, and strategic therapeutic input across the trust.\n\nKey Responsibilities\n\n * Clinical practice and intervention\n\n * Provide high quality occupational therapy interventions for pupils across primary and secondary phases.\n\n * Deliver direct therapy as outlined in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).\n\n * Deliver targeted small group and whole class interventions to support sensory regulation, functional skills, participation and independence.\n\n * Develop and review personalised therapy plans in collaboration with staff and families\n\n * Embed OT strategies within the curriculum by modelling practice and coaching teachers/support staff.\n\nMaintain professional standards in line with HCPC and RCOT guidelines.\n\nAssessment and equipment\n\n- Carry out comprehensive functional, sensory and environmental assessments using evidence based tools.\n\n- Identify the need for specialist equipment and make recommendations for purchase.\n\n- Set up, monitor and adjust equipment to ensure safe and effective use.\n\n- Train staff and parents on appropriate and safe use of equipment.\n\n- Maintain oversight of equipment safety, suitability and reporting.\n\nStaff training, support and capacity building\n\n- Plan and deliver high quality training for staff, including INSET, workshops, and informal coaching.\n\n- Support teachers and support staff to integrate OT strategies into daily routines and classroom practice.\n\n- Provide advice to staff on pupils’ sensory, physical, emotional and functional needs.\n\n- Work closely with SENCOs, intervention and pastoral teams and leaders to build sustainable therapeutic practice across settings.\n\nProfessional standards\n\n- Uphold the trust’s values, policies and safeguarding responsibilities.\n\n- Keep accurate, up-to-date clinical records and reports in line with HCPC standards.\n\n- Prepare clear written reports for review meetings, professionals and families.\n\n- Manage your own caseload, time and priorities effectively.\n\n- Engage in professional development, supervision and reflective practice.\n\n- Stay informed of current research, legislation and evidence-based approaches in educational OT.\n\nMulti-disciplinary working\n\n- Participate in multi-disciplinary meetings, assessments and reviews.\n\n- Work collaboratively with teachers, SENCOs, leaders, therapists and external agencies.\n\n- Contribute specialist knowledge to behaviour support planning, environmental adaptations and curriculum access.\n\n- Support transitions between key stages, provisions or schools.\n\n- Offer specialist guidance to parents and carers when appropriate.\n\nCommunication and documentation\n\n- Maintain accurate clinical documentation and data in line with GDPR requirements.\n\n- Communicate clearly with pupils, families and professionals.\n\n- Provide specialist advice during EHCP reviews, annual reviews and planning meetings.\n\n- Produce reports that inform school practice, family understanding and statutory processes.\n\nHealth, safety and safeguarding\n\n- Comply with all trust policies including Safeguarding, Child Protection, Behaviour, Whistleblowing and Health and Safety.\n\n- Maintain safe working practices in all therapy activities.\n\n- Report any safeguarding concerns immediately in line with policy.\n\nProfessional development\n\n- Maintain current registration with Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) or other relevant professional body\n\n- Participate in regular supervision (clinical and managerial).\n\n- Pursue CPD relevant to SEMH, ASD, sensory integration, LD, and educational practice.\n\n- Contribute to trust wide development, pilot projects, and continuous improvement initiatives.\n\nPerson specification\n\nQualifications\n\n- Degree or master’s in occupational therapy (essential)\n\n- HCPC registration or other relevant professional body (essential)\n\nExperience\n\n- Experience working with children/young people with SEN (essential)\n\n- Experience in school or educational settings (desirable)\n\n- Experience in multi-disciplinary teams (essential)\n\n- Experience training or coaching staff (desirable)\n\nKnowledge and skills\n\n- Strong understanding of sensory needs, regulation and functional skill development\n\n- Ability to conduct a variety of assessments\n\n- Knowledge of specialist OT equipment\n\n- Understanding of the EHCP process\n\n- Ability to manage caseloads across multiple sites- currently Stevenage, Baldock and Dunstable\n\nPersonal qualities\n\n- Positive, solution-focused and adaptable\n\n- Reflective, professional and committed to CPD\n\n- Strong relationship builder with staff, pupils and families\n\n- Committed to inclusive, trauma informed and pupil centred practice\n\n- High integrity and strong safeguarding awareness