Job summary
An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced occupational therapist who has a passion for working with children with disabilities to join our mainstream schools team in Sheffield.
You will be welcomed by experienced physiotherapists, occupational therapists and therapy assistants and supported and encouraged to develop your skills, knowledge and experience as a specialist OT.
You will need to be a creative, forward thinking and organised individual who is passionate about enabling children and young people to achieve their potential as well as being proactive in enabling the service to develop and improve.
Main duties of the job
- To provide a high standard of occupational therapy care as a member of the multi-disciplinary teams within the Community team that includes the assessment, treatment and management of children and young people with severe and complex physical and learning disabilities.
- To performoccupational therapy assessments of children presenting with a wide range of conditions and problems.
- To provide a diagnosis of the problem related tooccupational therapy.
- To develop highly skilled knowledge in order to deliver an individualised treatment programme for each child.
- To independently manage a personal caseload of children within a defined area of the service or a particular client group, working without direct supervision.
- To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as a developing autonomous practitioner and access the advice, training and support from senior occupational therapists where appropriate.
About us
At Sheffield Children's, our purpose is clear: to provide healthier futures for children and young people. Our three strategic aims are:
- Outstanding Patient Care
- Brilliant Place to work
- Leaders in Children's Health
We work successfully with local, regional, and national partners to provide physical and mental healthcare across acute and community settings. Many of our clinicians are amongst the best in their field, recognised nationally and internationally for their expertise.
As well as having enormous pride in what we do, we are a friendly, welcoming, and motivated NHS Trust who are guided by our CARE values: Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence. Our nearly 4000 colleagues live these values, ensuring kind and compassionate care that makes patients and their families feel safe and at home.
As we approach our 150th anniversary in 2026, we remain committed to enhancing our reputation in children's health leadership, improving the experiences of both patient and colleagues, and focusing on our communities and population health.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the job description and person specification for full details of the role
Inclusive Recruitment & Selection
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and accurate data capture is an important part of that to ensure we are supportive and representative. Our aim is to ensure that all applicants can see themselves in the available categories on our application form, but we recognise that some of our data capture fields are not inclusive. We have flagged this with our system provider to ask for change.
We offer encouragement and active support to applicants with additional needs, including those from ethnic minorities, with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. If you wish to adjust any aspect of the recruitment process or wish to find out more about our recruitment & selection processes, please get in touch with our Recruitment Manager: Catherine.Gilbert7@nhs.net
We are continually reviewing our recruitment & selection process to support the long-term aim of Sheffield Childrens being a champion of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. If you have any ideas for improvement, please get in touch with Catherine Gilbert at Catherine.Gilbert7@nhs.net
Trust Values
The Trust is committed to providing great quality patient care and keep children, young people and families at the heart of what we do by following our CARE values:
- Compassion leading by kindness and showing empathy, understanding and respect
- Accountability striving to do the right thing and owning responsibility
- Respect value differences, tackling inequality and fostering a culture of inclusion
- Excellence delivering a high-quality standard of care
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the job description and person specification for full details of the role
Inclusive Recruitment & Selection
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and accurate data capture is an important part of that to ensure we are supportive and representative. Our aim is to ensure that all applicants can see themselves in the available categories on our application form, but we recognise that some of our data capture fields are not inclusive. We have flagged this with our system provider to ask for change.
We offer encouragement and active support to applicants with additional needs, including those from ethnic minorities, with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. If you wish to adjust any aspect of the recruitment process or wish to find out more about our recruitment & selection processes, please get in touch with our Recruitment Manager: Catherine.Gilbert7@nhs.net
We are continually reviewing our recruitment & selection process to support the long-term aim of Sheffield Childrens being a champion of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. If you have any ideas for improvement, please get in touch with Catherine Gilbert at Catherine.Gilbert7@nhs.net
Trust Values
The Trust is committed to providing great quality patient care and keep children, young people and families at the heart of what we do by following our CARE values:
- Compassion leading by kindness and showing empathy, understanding and respect
- Accountability striving to do the right thing and owning responsibility
- Respect value differences, tackling inequality and fostering a culture of inclusion
- Excellence delivering a high-quality standard of care
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- HCPC registration.
- Diploma / Degree in Occupational Therapy.
- Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio including attendance at recent, relevant postgraduate courses and in-service training.
- Portfolio evidence of reflective practice.
Desirable
- Membership of the RCOT.
- Involvement in CYPF special interest groups or local OT Federation sub-groups.
Experience
Essential
- Variety of significant and relevant experience and a working knowledge of a broad variety of conditions.
- Significant and relevant post-graduate occupational therapy experience.
- Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Desirable
- Paediatric experience in one or more different settings e.g. child development centre, community, schools.
- Experience of working in a special school.
- Upper limb thermoplastic splinting. Student / assistant supervision.
- Involvement in audit, research or service evaluation.
knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of disability equipment and adaptations.
- Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession.
- Knowledge of clinical governance and it's implications for services.
- Understanding of family / team dynamics and how to develop working relationships with all involved in the child's care.
- Understanding of the impact of disability / hospitalisation on children and their families.
- Understanding of data protection, confidentiality and health and safety requirements in meeting the needs of the child and family.
- Competent I.T skills
- Ability to present information, written and verbal in a clear and logical manner.
- Ability to organise, prioritise and delegate appropriately.
- Ability to keep accurate and legible clinical records.
- Ability to cope working in a stressful environment and within emotional or challenging situations.
- Problem solving approach
- Ability to communicate effectively and work well within a multi-professional team.
Desirable
- Knowledge of SEND and EHCP processes.
- Knowledge of consent issues specific to paediatrics.
- Simple research methodology.
- Ability to organise internal / external courses.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- High level of interpersonal skills.
- Physically able to perform the duties of the job which includes manual handling.
- Reliable, punctual, flexible.
- Access to a car for commuting between homes and schools around the city, and delivering small pieces of therapy equipment. Evidence of car insurance for this activity.
Trust Values
Essential
- Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- HCPC registration.
- Diploma / Degree in Occupational Therapy.
- Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio including attendance at recent, relevant postgraduate courses and in-service training.
- Portfolio evidence of reflective practice.
Desirable
- Membership of the RCOT.
- Involvement in CYPF special interest groups or local OT Federation sub-groups.
Experience
Essential
- Variety of significant and relevant experience and a working knowledge of a broad variety of conditions.
- Significant and relevant post-graduate occupational therapy experience.
- Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Desirable
- Paediatric experience in one or more different settings e.g. child development centre, community, schools.
- Experience of working in a special school.
- Upper limb thermoplastic splinting. Student / assistant supervision.
- Involvement in audit, research or service evaluation.
knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of disability equipment and adaptations.
- Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession.
- Knowledge of clinical governance and it's implications for services.
- Understanding of family / team dynamics and how to develop working relationships with all involved in the child's care.
- Understanding of the impact of disability / hospitalisation on children and their families.
- Understanding of data protection, confidentiality and health and safety requirements in meeting the needs of the child and family.
- Competent I.T skills
- Ability to present information, written and verbal in a clear and logical manner.
- Ability to organise, prioritise and delegate appropriately.
- Ability to keep accurate and legible clinical records.
- Ability to cope working in a stressful environment and within emotional or challenging situations.
- Problem solving approach
- Ability to communicate effectively and work well within a multi-professional team.
Desirable
- Knowledge of SEND and EHCP processes.
- Knowledge of consent issues specific to paediatrics.
- Simple research methodology.
- Ability to organise internal / external courses.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- High level of interpersonal skills.
- Physically able to perform the duties of the job which includes manual handling.
- Reliable, punctual, flexible.
- Access to a car for commuting between homes and schools around the city, and delivering small pieces of therapy equipment. Evidence of car insurance for this activity.
Trust Values
Essential
- Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence
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.
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.
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).
