Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Highly Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 25 September 2025

Job summary

Due to an increase in funding an exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and highly committed individual to work within this unique and vibrant OT team. Are you a band 7 looking for a new role or a band 6 thinking I would like to the take the next career steps. If so, we are looking for you!

We are looking for an experienced, motivated and creative OT to join our paediatric occupational therapy service. The post holder will support in the co-ordinating and leading of a highly specialist Occupational Therapy service to children and young people attending mainstream and secondary special schools within the borough of Harrow. This role will involve working in mainstream schools and a special school with children, aged 11-19 with a physical disability, in Harrow to ensure they have the adequate skills, knowledge and training to support children and young people in their educational setting.

You will have opportunities to lead and influence service development and support the professional development of other staff and OT students. You will work closely with and be supported by the leadership team.

Main duties of the job

  • The post holder will hold a specialist caseload of children (aged 11-19) with physical disabilities, profound and multiple learning difficulties within a special school setting, along with providing support for children within the mainstream school setting. The post holder will have advanced skills in working with children with physical disabilities and prescription of specialist equipment in the educational setting to include specialist seating and moving and handling equipment. The role allows for a high level of MDT working, with PT/SLT, within the specialist settings.
  • He/she will be expected to manage their own caseload, travelling between schools working alongside teaching staff to ensure highly specialist therapy programmes are in place for the children under their care. He/she will be expected to work collaboratively with children/young people (CYP), parents/carers and with colleagues in Health, Education and Social Services, in service planning, policy and delivery of services to this specific client group.
  • They will provide clinical education and training to Occupational Therapy students and provide clinical supervision to Occupational Therapy Assistants and OTs developing specialist skills in this field.

About us

We are a very friendly and dynamic team who are passionate about supporting children, young people and families in Harrow while also supporting you and your wellbeing!

We strongly encourage staff input and influence to help design the OT service and the wider MDT team. We value personal development and we have an established internal training programme along side regular opportunities for external training.

We are based at Alexandra Avenue where there is a high level of integration and collaboration between different health, education and social care services.

Details

Date posted

12 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£53,751 to £60,651 a year per annun inc HCAS (pro rata if P/T)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

333-G-HCS-1148

Job locations

Alexandra Avenue Health & Social Care Centre Primary Care Hub,

275 Alexandra Ave,

Harrow,

HA2 9DX


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To communicate complex patient related information effectively to ensure collaborative working with multidisciplinary team members across health, education and social services and the voluntary sector. In particular to work with early years and school staff to ensure the delivery of a well co-ordinated care plan and/or individual education plan which facilitates the development of sensory, perceptual, motor and daily living skills.
  • To work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team in /Schools
  • To support access to and differentiation of the Foundation stage and National Curriculum for children with physical difficulties/developmental disabilities.
  • To advise on manual handling risk assessment, access school environments and provision of specialist equipment (seating and hoisting equipment) and aids to daily living
  • To share information with others, observing confidentiality and data protection guidelines and having due regard for local guidance on sharing information with colleagues in education, social services and voluntary sector.
  • To communicate highly complex condition related information (both verbally and in the written form) from assessment to CYP, parents/carers, and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions. This includes child specific information as well as training packages to parents, teachers and other professionals around the management of CYP with physical, sensory and perceptual difficulties.
  • To have due regard for the cultural and linguistic differences of children/families concerned.
  • To work closely with CYP, carers and families, involving them in decision-making regarding intervention approaches, demonstrating and ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist (i.e. hearing loss, communication difficulties, English as an additional language and learning difficulties).
  • Lead clinician for provision of comprehensive specialist assessment and differential diagnosis of individual children and neonates with diverse and complex presentations using a range of specialist assessments/technique
  • Planning, delivering and evaluating highly specialist treatment programmes in the area of school and special school provision

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To communicate complex patient related information effectively to ensure collaborative working with multidisciplinary team members across health, education and social services and the voluntary sector. In particular to work with early years and school staff to ensure the delivery of a well co-ordinated care plan and/or individual education plan which facilitates the development of sensory, perceptual, motor and daily living skills.
  • To work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team in /Schools
  • To support access to and differentiation of the Foundation stage and National Curriculum for children with physical difficulties/developmental disabilities.
  • To advise on manual handling risk assessment, access school environments and provision of specialist equipment (seating and hoisting equipment) and aids to daily living
  • To share information with others, observing confidentiality and data protection guidelines and having due regard for local guidance on sharing information with colleagues in education, social services and voluntary sector.
  • To communicate highly complex condition related information (both verbally and in the written form) from assessment to CYP, parents/carers, and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions. This includes child specific information as well as training packages to parents, teachers and other professionals around the management of CYP with physical, sensory and perceptual difficulties.
  • To have due regard for the cultural and linguistic differences of children/families concerned.
  • To work closely with CYP, carers and families, involving them in decision-making regarding intervention approaches, demonstrating and ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist (i.e. hearing loss, communication difficulties, English as an additional language and learning difficulties).
  • Lead clinician for provision of comprehensive specialist assessment and differential diagnosis of individual children and neonates with diverse and complex presentations using a range of specialist assessments/technique
  • Planning, delivering and evaluating highly specialist treatment programmes in the area of school and special school provision

Person Specification

Other

Desirable

  • Car Driver

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • Recognised Occupational Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
  • Health Professions Council - Current licence to Practice with HCPC
  • Evidence of CPD in portfolio including attendance of specialist short courses relevant to CYP with special needs/ disability
  • Training in Moving and Handling people with disabilities

Desirable

  • Advanced training up to Masters level equivalent in area of Paediatric Occupational Therapy e.g. , child development sensory Integration modules
  • Member of College of Occupational Therapy
  • Member of CYPF RCOT specialist section

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive experience to of working with school aged children: owith complex needs ophysical and learning disabilities operceptual-motor disorders oNeuro-developmental disorders
  • Extensive experience of : oAssessment, treatment and management of CYP with complex needs oWorking as part of an MDT within an early years setting oManaging own caseload oWorking with parents / carers oWriting clinical notes and reports
  • Experience of: oTeaching other professionals/parents oClinical audit, research. oLine management/Supervision of staff. oContributing to Appraisal of others oLeading teams/projects.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of a range of specialist aids, equipment and seating systems including wheelchairs and assistive technology
  • Knowledge of, foundation stage and National curriculums
  • Knowledge of the Balanced system and its application within OT

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • Well established knowledge of assessment tools and appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to CYP with complex needs physical difficulties
  • Well established knowledge range of specialist aids, equipment and seating systems available to CYP including wheelchairs, seating and assistive technology.
  • Working knowledge of the roles of: oOther professionals in Health, Education and Social Care involved with CYP
  • Working knowledge of Occupational Therapist in the Education system.
  • Understanding and application of standards of record keeping and reporting
  • National policies and procedures in particular safeguarding children, SEN and disability act, SEN reforms, Childrens and families act, National Service framework for children, the children's bill and foundation stage and National curriculum's.
  • oClinical governance/audit

Attitudes, aptitudes, personal characteristics

Essential

  • oExcellent organisational skills
  • oAbility to communicate effectively with children and young people of all ages and abilities
  • oExcellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills
  • oExcellent presentation skills, both written and verbal (English)
  • oNegotiation and problem solving skills
  • oAbility to work in an unpredictable environment and to prioritise own and others workload
  • oGood analytical and reflection skills
Person Specification

Other

Desirable

  • Car Driver

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • Recognised Occupational Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
  • Health Professions Council - Current licence to Practice with HCPC
  • Evidence of CPD in portfolio including attendance of specialist short courses relevant to CYP with special needs/ disability
  • Training in Moving and Handling people with disabilities

Desirable

  • Advanced training up to Masters level equivalent in area of Paediatric Occupational Therapy e.g. , child development sensory Integration modules
  • Member of College of Occupational Therapy
  • Member of CYPF RCOT specialist section

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive experience to of working with school aged children: owith complex needs ophysical and learning disabilities operceptual-motor disorders oNeuro-developmental disorders
  • Extensive experience of : oAssessment, treatment and management of CYP with complex needs oWorking as part of an MDT within an early years setting oManaging own caseload oWorking with parents / carers oWriting clinical notes and reports
  • Experience of: oTeaching other professionals/parents oClinical audit, research. oLine management/Supervision of staff. oContributing to Appraisal of others oLeading teams/projects.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of a range of specialist aids, equipment and seating systems including wheelchairs and assistive technology
  • Knowledge of, foundation stage and National curriculums
  • Knowledge of the Balanced system and its application within OT

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • Well established knowledge of assessment tools and appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to CYP with complex needs physical difficulties
  • Well established knowledge range of specialist aids, equipment and seating systems available to CYP including wheelchairs, seating and assistive technology.
  • Working knowledge of the roles of: oOther professionals in Health, Education and Social Care involved with CYP
  • Working knowledge of Occupational Therapist in the Education system.
  • Understanding and application of standards of record keeping and reporting
  • National policies and procedures in particular safeguarding children, SEN and disability act, SEN reforms, Childrens and families act, National Service framework for children, the children's bill and foundation stage and National curriculum's.
  • oClinical governance/audit

Attitudes, aptitudes, personal characteristics

Essential

  • oExcellent organisational skills
  • oAbility to communicate effectively with children and young people of all ages and abilities
  • oExcellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills
  • oExcellent presentation skills, both written and verbal (English)
  • oNegotiation and problem solving skills
  • oAbility to work in an unpredictable environment and to prioritise own and others workload
  • oGood analytical and reflection skills

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Alexandra Avenue Health & Social Care Centre Primary Care Hub,

275 Alexandra Ave,

Harrow,

HA2 9DX


Employer's website

https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Alexandra Avenue Health & Social Care Centre Primary Care Hub,

275 Alexandra Ave,

Harrow,

HA2 9DX


Employer's website

https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical OT Team Lead

Elizabeth Poultney

e.poultney@nhs.net

02039116984

Details

Date posted

12 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£53,751 to £60,651 a year per annun inc HCAS (pro rata if P/T)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

333-G-HCS-1148

Job locations

Alexandra Avenue Health & Social Care Centre Primary Care Hub,

275 Alexandra Ave,

Harrow,

HA2 9DX


Supporting documents

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