Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist: Mainstream School

Highly Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist:
Mainstream School

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Harrow Occupational Therapy are thrilled to announce that new funding has been secured for this fantastic opportunity to join our dynamic and inspiring OT team! If you’re a passionate Band 7 ready for an exciting new challenge, or a motivated Band 6 eager to take the next bold step in your career, we want to hear from you. This role delivers specialist assessments and interventions for children aged 5‑19 within mainstream schools, managing your own clinical caseload and contributing to service developments.

• Support the coordination and leadership of a highly specialist Occupational Therapy service for children and young people attending mainstream schools within Harrow.
• Work with schools to ensure they have the skills, knowledge and training to support children in their educational setting.
• Collaborate with other Band 7 pathway leads to deliver a high‑quality, evidence‑based OT service for children, young people and families.
• Develop the service for children with physical disability and learning needs, providing training and project opportunities.
• Promote OT service development and deliver targeted training to schools, parents and wider workforce.
• Communicate complex patient‑related information effectively with multidisciplinary teams, school staff and parents.
• Provide specialist advice on manual handling risk assessments, school access, specialist equipment and daily living aids.
• Lead comprehensive assessments, differential diagnoses and treatment programmes for CYP with complex presentations, including ASD.
• Write clinical reports and reports for statutory assessment of SEN.
• Advise on referrals to other services, manage conflict and negotiate with parents/carers.
• Maintain caseload, manage conflict, handle complaints and report to line manager or head of Paediatric Therapy Service.
• Provide training and support to parents, colleagues and other professionals.

Essential Criteria

• Recognised Occupational Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent.
• Health Professions Council – Licence to Practice.
• Evidence of CPD in portfolio, including specialist short courses relevant to CYP with special needs or disability.
• Training in moving and handling people with disabilities.

Desirable Criteria

• Advanced training up to Masters level in paediatric OT (e.g. Assisted Hand Assessment, parent coaching, sensory integration).
• Member of the College of Occupational Therapists.
• Member of the CYPF RCOT specialist section.

Essential Criteria

• Extensive experience working with school‑aged children with complex needs, physical and learning disabilities, perceptual‑motor and neuro‑developmental disorders.
• Assessment, treatment and management of CYP with complex needs.
• Working as part of an MDT within an early years setting.
• Managing own caseload and working with parents/carers.
• Writing clinical notes and reports.
• Teaching other professionals/parents, clinical audit, research.
• Line management/supervision of staff, appraisal of others, leading teams and projects.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of specialist aids, equipment and seating systems (including wheelchairs and assistive technology).
• Knowledge of foundation stage and National curriculum.
• Knowledge of the Balanced System and its application within OT.

Essential Criteria

• Well‑established knowledge of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions for CYP with complex physical needs.
• Knowledge of specialist aids, equipment and seating systems.
• Working knowledge of the roles of other professionals in health, education and social care involved with CYP.
• Understanding of standards of record keeping and reporting.
• Knowledge of national policies and procedures (safeguarding, SEN, disability act, etc.), clinical governance and audit.

• Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Effective communication with children and young people of all ages and abilities.
• Presentation, negotiation and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work in an unpredictable environment and prioritise workload.
• Good analytical and reflection skills.
• Empathy, observation and listening skills.

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Health Care Provider