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Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Paediatric Occupational Therapy Assistant

The closing date is 20 November 2025

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Job summary

We are looking for a motivated and compassionate Band 4 Occupational Therapy Assistant to join our dynamic Children and Young People's Integrated Therapy (CYPIT) service in Berkshire.

As a key member of the team, you will play an essential role in supporting the delivery of high-quality therapy services for children and young people. This varied post will primarily support our Paediatric Occupational Therapy service but will also involve work alongside Speech and Language Therapy and Physiotherapy, supporting children and young people with diverse developmental and physical needs.

Our core working hours are Monday to Friday 9:00 - 17:00 but we can offer flexibility around this. The role will involve some travel but also leaves room for some home working.

Main duties of the job

  • Work under the direction of CYPIT Therapists to deliver a range of therapy-based interventions -- independently or with supervision.
  • Support the delivery of training and information sessions to schools, parents, and carers, helping to build confidence and skills in supporting children's development.
  • Manage a defined caseload, including planning, organising, and documenting key activities.
  • Contribute to therapy assessments, intervention delivery, and project or service development work.
  • Undertake delegated tasks that support the overall function of the therapy team, contributing to our impact-based clinical decision-making model.
  • Engage actively in continuing professional development (CPD), clinical audits, and in-service training to enhance your skills and knowledge.

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

  • Caring for and about you is our top priority
  • Committed to providing good quality, safe services
  • Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

  • Flexible working options to support work-life balance
  • 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
  • Generous NHS pension scheme
  • Excellent learning and career development opportunities
  • 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
  • Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
  • Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
  • Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
  • Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
  • Free parking across Trust sites

Details

Date posted

13 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,860 to £31,671 a year per annum (inc. of HCAS)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

371-CFS620

Job locations

CYPIT East Berkshire, Upton Hospital

Albert Street

Slough

SL1 2BJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

The must haves for this role:

1. Experienced in working with children and young people

2. Able to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

3. Organised, proactive, and confident in managing a varied workload.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to call: Helen Wilson on 03003650123 option 2 or email: helen.wilson@berkshire.nhs.uk wholl be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The must haves for this role:

1. Experienced in working with children and young people

2. Able to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

3. Organised, proactive, and confident in managing a varied workload.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to call: Helen Wilson on 03003650123 option 2 or email: helen.wilson@berkshire.nhs.uk wholl be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • Education to a sufficient level to give evidence of ability to absorb and interpret complex information e.g. ( GCSE / A levels) NVQ level 3 in a relevant subject or equivalent

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

  • Well-developed literacy and numeracy
  • IT skills - proficient in the use of word/ e-mail,

Desirable

  • Evidence of accredited training or equivalent e.g. Supporting Children and Young People with Physical Difficulties with and without associated learning difficulties /PECS /Makaton /Handwriting training /Sensory processing training
  • A CPD portfolio which demonstrates attendance at short courses, formal training, and experience in addition to NVQ level 3 or equivalent.

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Minimum 3 years' experience working with children.

Desirable

  • Experience of working with children and young people, in particular those with additional needs (e.g. LSA, voluntary work, nursery, previous assistant experience etc.)
  • Experience working with children in an educational setting for at least one year and/or previous experience supporting Physiotherapy and/or Occupational Therapy, and/or Speech and Language Therapy.
  • Experience of working with families from a wide variety of backgrounds including age and ethnicity.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Evidence of a value system which puts the child at the heart of actions
  • Able to demonstrate an understanding of the diverse needs of children and young people in a broad sense
  • Able to use IT to support and innovate development
  • Succinct communication skills.
  • Ability to work in a calm and confident manner in stressful situations
  • Ability to self-motivate
  • Willingness and ability to take direction from others, and also to recognise when can act autonomously
  • Ability to work across professional boundaries to effect seamless family care

Desirable

  • Knowledge of the English education system
  • Ability to work successfully as part of a multi-disciplinary team
  • Ability to act as a role model and leader to others; in adopting change / imbedding new practice / acting as an ambassador for the CYPIT service

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Willingness to attend additional training to support service delivery
  • Car Driver with access to own car and willingness to work across Berkshire, as required
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • Education to a sufficient level to give evidence of ability to absorb and interpret complex information e.g. ( GCSE / A levels) NVQ level 3 in a relevant subject or equivalent

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

  • Well-developed literacy and numeracy
  • IT skills - proficient in the use of word/ e-mail,

Desirable

  • Evidence of accredited training or equivalent e.g. Supporting Children and Young People with Physical Difficulties with and without associated learning difficulties /PECS /Makaton /Handwriting training /Sensory processing training
  • A CPD portfolio which demonstrates attendance at short courses, formal training, and experience in addition to NVQ level 3 or equivalent.

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Minimum 3 years' experience working with children.

Desirable

  • Experience of working with children and young people, in particular those with additional needs (e.g. LSA, voluntary work, nursery, previous assistant experience etc.)
  • Experience working with children in an educational setting for at least one year and/or previous experience supporting Physiotherapy and/or Occupational Therapy, and/or Speech and Language Therapy.
  • Experience of working with families from a wide variety of backgrounds including age and ethnicity.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Evidence of a value system which puts the child at the heart of actions
  • Able to demonstrate an understanding of the diverse needs of children and young people in a broad sense
  • Able to use IT to support and innovate development
  • Succinct communication skills.
  • Ability to work in a calm and confident manner in stressful situations
  • Ability to self-motivate
  • Willingness and ability to take direction from others, and also to recognise when can act autonomously
  • Ability to work across professional boundaries to effect seamless family care

Desirable

  • Knowledge of the English education system
  • Ability to work successfully as part of a multi-disciplinary team
  • Ability to act as a role model and leader to others; in adopting change / imbedding new practice / acting as an ambassador for the CYPIT service

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Willingness to attend additional training to support service delivery
  • Car Driver with access to own car and willingness to work across Berkshire, as required

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

CYPIT East Berkshire, Upton Hospital

Albert Street

Slough

SL1 2BJ


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

CYPIT East Berkshire, Upton Hospital

Albert Street

Slough

SL1 2BJ


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

CYPIT East Operational Lead for Early Years

Helen Wilson

helen.wilson@berkshire.nhs.uk

03003650123

Details

Date posted

13 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,860 to £31,671 a year per annum (inc. of HCAS)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

371-CFS620

Job locations

CYPIT East Berkshire, Upton Hospital

Albert Street

Slough

SL1 2BJ


Supporting documents

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