Specialist Occupational Therapist

Go back Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 30 September 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen within The Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service (CNDS) and we are looking to recruit a highly specialist (band
6) occupational Therapist.

CNDS is a specialist tertiary service working in collaboration with local multi-agency services to provide second opinions for children and young people across the Northeast of England and North Cumbria, who may have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other co-occurring mental health or neurodevelopmental concerns. CNDS provides outpatient, day patient and outreach services, this includes detailed diagnostic second opinion assessments, alongside consultation and advice on management.

As a clinical academic team CNDS have close working links with Newcastle University and are involved in the delivery of research studies. The team are commissioned to provide ASD training to local clinicians.

The post holder requires specialist clinical skills in working with children and young people who have ASD, and they will contribute to the development and delivery of occupational therapy service provision within the service. This includes undertaking assessments in relation to activities of daily living (including play), sensory processing issues and motor co-ordination skills to consider the impact of neurodevelopmental difficulties upon occupational performance.

Recommendations following assessment will then be made to families as well as local health and education services.

As an occupational therapist, you will work alongside a well-established team of psychiatrists, paediatricians, nurses, psychologists, teachers and speech and language therapists. You will have experience in the use of standardised assessment measures, (in particular, sensory and motor assessments) and be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of relevant theories, models and approaches relevant to the clinical setting as well as an understanding of a range of clinical conditions related to mental health and paediatrics.

The selection process involves a formal interview which will include a short presentation and also in accordance with our recruitment and selection policy some service user contact. The successful candidate for the post will require DBS ENHANCED clearance before the commencement of duties. Please note that a criminal record does not automatically debar you from appointment unless the selection panel consider the information renders you unsuitable for the appointment.

• Final salary pension scheme
• Flexible working options
• Childcare vouchers and access to a Child Care Co-ordinator
• Staff counselling service
• Opportunities for training and development

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

Please find attached job description for full details.

We welcome your application.

• Recognised Occupational therapy degree/ qualification
• HCPC Registration
• Evidence of post-registration training in OT interventions relevant to the post (neurology/neuro rehab).
• Member of Royal College of Occupational Therapy
• Member of the RCOT Specialist Section Neurological Practice

• A minimum of 2 years post registration clinical experience
• Post registration experience of working with patients with neurological conditions.
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of collaborative working across agencies and professional disciplines.
• Ability to work with the most complex category A patients () under supervision.
• Experience of supervising students / non registered staff
• Awareness and understanding of professional accountability, HCPC and RCOT standards and other local and national initiatives
• Understanding of difficult to manage/challenging behaviours.
• Experience of undertaking audits/service development/research projects

• Risk Assessment and Risk Management / Safety Planning skills.
• Effective communication and reporting skills
• Confident understanding of OT process and core OT skills including activity analysis. Able to select and use a range of relevant evidence-based assessments and outcome measures; developing and providing client-centred goal-orientated and graded rehabilitation programmes and interventions to meet the specific needs of the service user.
• Ability to carry out complex risk assessments and formulate risk management plans in conjunction with the MDT and supported by senior practitioners, specifically related to functional independence, moving and handling, safe use of equipment, community/home assessments and discharge.
• Ability to clearly communicate clinical…