Job summary
Fixed Term: 12 months | 18 hrs per week | Full Time considered
We are looking for a dedicated and compassionate Occupational Therapist to join our Special Schools team in Sheffield for a 12-month contract. You will provide high-quality occupational therapy care to children with a range of conditions across school and community settings. You will work with two schools, contributing to both school life and therapy sessions, making a lasting difference to the lives of children and their families.
About You:
You have advanced knowledge in managing children with physical, sensory, and developmental challenges, and are keen to work in a dynamic, multidisciplinary team. You have strong communication skills and enjoy supporting both children and staff to reach their full potential.
If you are ready to make a difference in the lives of children with complex needs, we would love to hear from you!
Main duties of the job
Reporting into the Community Team Leader , your responsibilities will include:
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Provide a specialised service for the assessment, treatment, and management of children with chronic and complex learning difficulties and physical disabilities.
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Be an expert resource, using your experience managing children with physical, sensory, and developmental dysfunction in both school and community settings.
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Offer specialist advice to inter-agency professional staff and deliver clinical education to senior therapists, education staff, assistants, technical staff, and students.
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Take a lead role in managing complex cases within a multidisciplinary team, as an autonomous practitioner.
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 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.
Sheffield Children's provides great benefits to support your wellbeing, with excellent annual leave and pension schemes, health programmes, and exclusive discounts--helping you succeed at work and beyond.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For more information on the main responsibilities for this post, please refer to the job description and person specification.
Please note that Sheffield Children's uplift pay to meet the Real Living Wage, which is £12.60 per hour.
Diversity Statement
At Sheffield Childrens, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and supports everyones success. We prioritise Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in our recruitment practices, creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ members.
Recognising that inclusivity is an ongoing effort, we review our processes and welcome feedback to enhance our practices. A diverse team strengthens our organisation and the quality of care we deliver. For ideas on how we can improve, please contact our Recruitment Manager at scn-tr.recruitment.team@nhs.net. Together, were building a workplace where everyone belongs.
#LI-Onsite
Job description
Job responsibilities
For more information on the main responsibilities for this post, please refer to the job description and person specification.
Please note that Sheffield Children's uplift pay to meet the Real Living Wage, which is £12.60 per hour.
Diversity Statement
At Sheffield Childrens, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and supports everyones success. We prioritise Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in our recruitment practices, creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ members.
Recognising that inclusivity is an ongoing effort, we review our processes and welcome feedback to enhance our practices. A diverse team strengthens our organisation and the quality of care we deliver. For ideas on how we can improve, please contact our Recruitment Manager at scn-tr.recruitment.team@nhs.net. Together, were building a workplace where everyone belongs.
#LI-Onsite
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential
- BSc in Occupational Therapy or Dip COT
- HPC Registration
- Relevant post graduate courses / CPD
- Portfolio evidence of reflective practice
Desirable
- MSc in Paediatric Occupational Therapy or other relevant MSc
- Research qualification
- Moving and Handling qualification/training Transition
Experience
Essential
- Significant and relevant post graduate experience
- Paediatric development disorders / cerebral palsy Community / lone worker experience
- Appraisal / supervision / teaching of more junior staff
- Standardised Assessment tools
- Outcome measures
- Moving and handling
Desirable
- Experience of special school education
- Active involvement in relevant BAOT special interest groups, local PT/OT Federation sub-groups or voluntary organisations
Knowledge
Essential
- Child development
- Child disability
- Child Protection procedures
- Audit / Research / Service Evaluation
- Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession.
- Advanced understanding of clinical governance and its 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 on children and their families.
- Understanding of data protection, confidentiality and health and safety requirements in meeting the needs of the child and family.
Desirable
- Special Educational Needs & Disability Processes
- Transition processes
- Moving and handling legislation and current practice.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Good 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.
- Self directed learning
- Forward thinking / visionary
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to organise internal / external courses
- Ability to demonstrate empathy, sensitivity and tact
Desirable
- Excellent presentation skills.
Attributes
Essential
- High level of interpersonal skills.
- Reliable, punctual, flexible
- Access to a car for commuting between sites around the city and delivering small pieces of therapy equipment. Evidence of car insurance appropriate for this activity
Demonstrates Trust values
Essential
- Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential
- BSc in Occupational Therapy or Dip COT
- HPC Registration
- Relevant post graduate courses / CPD
- Portfolio evidence of reflective practice
Desirable
- MSc in Paediatric Occupational Therapy or other relevant MSc
- Research qualification
- Moving and Handling qualification/training Transition
Experience
Essential
- Significant and relevant post graduate experience
- Paediatric development disorders / cerebral palsy Community / lone worker experience
- Appraisal / supervision / teaching of more junior staff
- Standardised Assessment tools
- Outcome measures
- Moving and handling
Desirable
- Experience of special school education
- Active involvement in relevant BAOT special interest groups, local PT/OT Federation sub-groups or voluntary organisations
Knowledge
Essential
- Child development
- Child disability
- Child Protection procedures
- Audit / Research / Service Evaluation
- Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession.
- Advanced understanding of clinical governance and its 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 on children and their families.
- Understanding of data protection, confidentiality and health and safety requirements in meeting the needs of the child and family.
Desirable
- Special Educational Needs & Disability Processes
- Transition processes
- Moving and handling legislation and current practice.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Good 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.
- Self directed learning
- Forward thinking / visionary
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to organise internal / external courses
- Ability to demonstrate empathy, sensitivity and tact
Desirable
- Excellent presentation skills.
Attributes
Essential
- High level of interpersonal skills.
- Reliable, punctual, flexible
- Access to a car for commuting between sites around the city and delivering small pieces of therapy equipment. Evidence of car insurance appropriate for this activity
Demonstrates 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).
