Specialist Occupational Therapist

Job summary

We are seeking a dynamic, motivated and driven Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join the Evelina London REACH service on a 9-month fixed-term contract. This exciting opportunity is ideal for a therapist who is passionate about delivering high-quality, evidence-informed upper limb rehabilitation and supporting children and young people to achieve meaningful functional outcomes.

Based within the paediatric Occupational Therapy team at Evelina London Children's Hospital, St Thomas' Hospital site, you will work with children and young people aged 0-16 years with asymmetrical/unilateral and bilateral motor disorders, including hemiparesis, as well as infants with emerging movement difficulties and children with additional medical or neurodevelopmental conditions.

As part of a specialist service, you will help children and families maximise participation, independence and quality of life through evidence-based, goal-focused interventions.

Provide specialist occupational therapy assessment, treatment planning and intervention for children with upper limb movement difficulties. Deliver evidence-informed rehabilitation programmes, including:

• Bimanual therapy
• Hybrid programmes incorporating modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (mCIMT) and bimanual therapy
• Upper limb pre-habilitation and rehabilitation
• Splinting and casting
• Goal-directed occupational therapy interventions

Actively contribute to multidisciplinary tone management clinics, including upper limb Botulinum Toxin-A pathways. Work collaboratively with families, community therapists, education providers and other agencies to ensure coordinated care. Support children to develop functional skills for self-care, education, play and leisure activities. Opportunities to actively contribute to service development, quality improvement, audit and research activities are also available. The post holder will support the learning and development of students, therapy assistants and other team members.

Evelina London Children's Hospital provides specialist children's services for patients from across London, the South East and beyond. The Evelina London REACH service is recognised for its expertise in upper limb rehabilitation and evidence-based interventions for children with movement disorders.

You will join a supportive and innovative occupational therapy team committed to clinical excellence, professional development and service improvement.

The post holder will receive regular clinical supervision from senior specialist occupational therapists, supported by the Clinical Lead and Head of Paediatric Occupational Therapy, alongside professional leadership from the Trust Head of Occupational Therapy. You will also have access to a comprehensive monthly professional development programme and ongoing opportunities to develop your clinical expertise.

The post holder will work with children and young people presenting with a range of neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions affecting upper limb function, including infants with emerging movement difficulties. The role involves undertaking specialised assessments, formulating treatment plans, and delivering intervention programmes tailored to individual goals and needs.

The successful candidate will work closely with parents, carers and local therapy teams to provide coordinated rehabilitation and long-term support. A strong emphasis is placed on partnership working to ensure interventions are embedded within everyday activities and environments.

The role also includes involvement in multidisciplinary clinics, contribution to the development of clinical pathways, and participation in evaluation and improvement of services.

• Postgraduate experience in adult and or children in physical disability.
• Experience of multidisciplinary team working and multi-agency working.
• Post graduate experience in paediatric physical disability including cerebral palsy
• Experience of splinting and/or casting
• Knowledge, understanding and application of Occupational Therapy process relating to client centred practice.
• Knowledge of evidence-based activity focused rehabilitation approaches in paediatrics
• Knowledge of appropriate splinting and casting
• Current knowledge/awareness of relevant national guidance that can guide practice e.g. NICE guidelines spasticity and mgmt. of CP
• Knowledge of classification systems such as GMFCS/MACS
• A working knowledge of normal child…