Job summary
We are looking for a Band 5 Occupational Therapist to join the Paddock School Therapy team. This is an exciting time to join as the school continues to expand to meet the needs of more pupils with complex communication, learning and sensory needs in the borough of Wandsworth.
You will have clinical responsibility for the assessment and treatment planning of children referred to the service, including group interventions if appropriate, and will be expected to participate in the development and monitoring of services in conjunction with supervisor. Depending on level of experience, post holders may be expected to supervise and participate in training of support staff.
Main duties of the job
The Occupational Therapist's role will be to provide onsite support for children and young people and their families/carers, and to school staff. Pupils are aged 3-19 and the successful applicant may be required to work at one site only within the lower, middle or upper school age pupils or over a combination of sites.
The successful applicant will be flexible, demonstrate the ability to manage and prioritise a caseload, and show commitment to delivering occupation based outcomes and patient centred care. They will be comfortable working in as part of a multidisciplinary team. They will demonstrate commitment to learning and have experience in a clinical area relevant to the client group.
You will be supported by senior occupational therapists and be part of a very friendly and supportive team of speech and language therapists, multi-therapy assistants and education staff on-site, as well as the Clinical Team Lead. You will work closely with other external health professionals as part of a multi-disciplinary team including Educational Psychologists, CAMHS, social services and other agencies to ensure you meet the needs of the pupils who attend Paddock School.
About us
St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey.Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).
After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and expects that all staff will share in this commitment. The Trust is clear that all staff have a responsibility to be aware of children and adult safeguarding policies and procedures and that each member of staff, clinical and non-clinical, will attend child or adult safeguarding training that is provided at an appropriate level to suit their role. The Trust has the additional expectation that all staff will be able to identify concerns and know what action to take.
Job description
Job responsibilities
***Please see the attached supporting document which contains more information about the role. Please ensure that your application is in reference to the supporting documents***
Job description
Job responsibilities
***Please see the attached supporting document which contains more information about the role. Please ensure that your application is in reference to the supporting documents***
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children or young people - may have been during placement.
- Organising and managing a caseload
- Multi-professional team working
- Involvement with carers and families
- Delivering training to families and carers and/or other professionals
- oPlanning and implementing group interventions - may have been during placement
Desirable
- Work experience/student placement in Paediatrics, Special Schools, Neuro rehabilitation, Splinting, Special Seating/Wheelchair Services, Learning Disability or Social Services.
- Delivering training to families and carers and/or other professionals
- Previous Care role with children with Special Needs
- Implementing activities to groups of children such as dance, football etc
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Diploma/Bsc/Graduate Diploma/Msc in Occupational Therapy ( or to qualify in July 2025)
- Registration with Health Care Professions Council (needed to start work, but 2025 graduates may not have this at time of application)
Desirable
- Evidence of recent study
- RCOT - specialist interest group
Skills
Essential
- Clear demonstration of the OT process
- Working knowledge of Standardised and non-standardised assessments
- Ability to independently manage a caseload & to reflect on clinical practice & experience with the support of an OT clinical supervisor
- Ability to solve complex problems & take appropriate decisions.
- Flexibility - able to adapt to different demands & situations and the ability to work under pressure.
- Ability to prioritise & organise workload & time.
- Ability to write concise, legible notes & reports.
- Good Presentation Skills
- Competent IT skills
Knowledge
Essential
- Basic understanding & knowledge of conditions such as Global Developmental Delay, Autism and other learning difficulties/disabilities in children
- Basic assessment of need and problem identification in line with normal development in children
- Basic ability to set goals, plan, deliver and evaluate interventions suitable to children.
- Some understanding of the evidence base
- Some understanding of the SEND code of practice
Other
Essential
- Enhanced DBS clearance
- Occupational Health Clearance
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children or young people - may have been during placement.
- Organising and managing a caseload
- Multi-professional team working
- Involvement with carers and families
- Delivering training to families and carers and/or other professionals
- oPlanning and implementing group interventions - may have been during placement
Desirable
- Work experience/student placement in Paediatrics, Special Schools, Neuro rehabilitation, Splinting, Special Seating/Wheelchair Services, Learning Disability or Social Services.
- Delivering training to families and carers and/or other professionals
- Previous Care role with children with Special Needs
- Implementing activities to groups of children such as dance, football etc
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Diploma/Bsc/Graduate Diploma/Msc in Occupational Therapy ( or to qualify in July 2025)
- Registration with Health Care Professions Council (needed to start work, but 2025 graduates may not have this at time of application)
Desirable
- Evidence of recent study
- RCOT - specialist interest group
Skills
Essential
- Clear demonstration of the OT process
- Working knowledge of Standardised and non-standardised assessments
- Ability to independently manage a caseload & to reflect on clinical practice & experience with the support of an OT clinical supervisor
- Ability to solve complex problems & take appropriate decisions.
- Flexibility - able to adapt to different demands & situations and the ability to work under pressure.
- Ability to prioritise & organise workload & time.
- Ability to write concise, legible notes & reports.
- Good Presentation Skills
- Competent IT skills
Knowledge
Essential
- Basic understanding & knowledge of conditions such as Global Developmental Delay, Autism and other learning difficulties/disabilities in children
- Basic assessment of need and problem identification in line with normal development in children
- Basic ability to set goals, plan, deliver and evaluate interventions suitable to children.
- Some understanding of the evidence base
- Some understanding of the SEND code of practice
Other
Essential
- Enhanced DBS clearance
- Occupational Health Clearance
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
