Paediatric Occupational Therapist: Pulse Healthcare

The paediatric occupational therapist role with Pulse Healthcare is a permanent position in Hillingdon, London. The post pays £45,000 to £53,200 a year, with a £5,000 welcome bonus, and offers either a full-time or term-time-only arrangement. The therapist assesses pupils and delivers individualised occupational therapy in a specialist educational setting for children and young people with autism, social, emotional and mental health needs, developmental trauma, and neurodiverse profiles.

Pulse Healthcare sets the working day at 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, across 37.5 hours a week. The therapist conducts specialist assessments, therapeutic interventions, caseload development, and consultation with school staff. Clinical supervision comes from a designated clinical supervisor and site lead. A recognised occupational therapy degree, HCPC registration, RCOT membership, a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are required.

Role:
Paediatric Occupational Therapist

Employer:

Pulse Healthcare

Location:

Hillingdon, London

Pay: £45,000 to £53,200 per year, depending on experience, plus a £5,000 welcome bonus

Employment type:

Permanent, with full-time or term-time-only options

The therapist works with pupils whose autism, social, emotional and mental health needs, developmental trauma or neurodivergent profiles affect participation in education. Occupational therapy connects clinical assessment with daily activities, communication, sensory experiences, self-care, classroom participation and other occupations that shape a pupil's school day.

Assessment findings become person-centred therapeutic plans rather than generic classroom advice. The therapist manages a caseload, selects interventions that reflect each pupil's occupational needs, and reviews the plan as the pupil's abilities, priorities or circumstances change. Sensory Integration or sensory-informed practice is an advantage for the role.

• Specialist occupational therapy assessments and interventions
• Caseload management and development
• Person-centred therapeutic planning
• Consultation, guidance and training for school staff
• Clinical records and written reports

School-based occupational therapy depends on information from pupils, families, teachers and clinical colleagues. The therapist turns that information into practical goals, explains assessment findings in accessible language, and helps education staff apply agreed strategies during ordinary school activities.

The therapist collaborates with families, education staff and multidisciplinary professionals. The work therefore requires clear verbal communication, accurate report writing and a consistent account of the pupil's needs across home, school and clinical conversations. A recognised occupational therapy degree supplies the professional foundation, while applied experience with children, young people, neurodivergent individuals, or people with learning, emotional or mental health needs supports the day-to-day work.

Collaboration also includes therapy professionals whose observations add to the pupil's care picture. A qualified occupational therapist keeps the focus on functional participation, communication and meaningful activity while working with the wider team.

The therapist works within the limits of competence, uses supervision, records clinical decisions and responds to safeguarding concerns under the HCPC standards. Those duties also cover effective communication, accessible information, consent, risk assessment, outcome review, confidentiality and lawful information management.

Only HCPC-registered practitioners may practise as occupational therapists in the UK under the  registration guidance. The therapist maintains records, adapts communication to individual needs, involves pupils and carers in decisions, and refers for advice when a need falls outside the therapist's scope.

The therapist follows evidence-informed and inclusive practice that meets the RCOT professional standards for safe, effective and ethical occupational therapy across the UK workforce.

The designated clinical supervisor and site lead provide a formal point for reviewing cases, decisions and professional development. Regular peer support and specialist forums add clinical discussion to the supervision structure, while the multidisciplinary network gives the therapist access to…