Horizon Care and Education Group

Occupational Therapist (Croydon, SEN Schools, PT)

The closing date is 01 March 2026

Job summary

Role:Occupational Therapist - Working across 5 SEN schools in the Croydon/Sutton area

Part Time 3 days pw, Term Time only, 38 weeks per year

Location:

Croydon, Sutton based schools.

Hours: PT TT only

Driving licence and access to a car required (travel expenses paid from home address)

Bright Futures, Inspired By You.

Theres nothing more rewarding than helping someone believe in themselves and have the confidence to celebrate their own uniqueness and achieve success that is personal to them.

AtHorizon, we live up to our values, and we value our people.We are proud to be one of the most innovative providers of young peoples residential care and education in the UK.

We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Occupational Therapistto join our team, delivering evidence-based, therapeutic care in line with HorizonsSHINE Therapeutic Model of Care. You will workacross multiple schoolsas part of a Multidisciplinary team supporting Young People with social, emotional and Mental Health needs as well and Neurodiverse conditions such as ASD. In addition, you will,provide advice, modelling and support to our education teams.

You must hold a full driving licence and have a relevant Degree Qualification in Occupational Therapy to be considered.

Main duties of the job

What we are looking for from you:

To deliver evidence based therapeutic and psychologically informed care which conforms to their own ethical standards and is in line with Horizons Values and SHINE Therapeutic Model of Care.

To undertake OT assessments of young people to identify individual needs and develop and provide the delivery of individualised and group-based intervention programmes.

To provide specialist OT advice and guidance to young peoples plans including behaviour plans, teaching plans, risk assessments and EHCPs.

To develop and contribute to the development, delivery, and evaluation of therapeutic training to all staff in the organisation.

To use outcome and evaluation tools to measure the effectiveness of services and to report this data back to the Head of SEND.

To provide specialist knowledge of OT principles and techniques through consultation and guidance to other colleagues within Horizon.

To attend regular team meetings and CPD days with other colleagues.

About us

Why work for us?

  • Access to Tastecard, Bluelight card and MyGym discounts!
  • Real Living Wage employer
  • Competitive pay rates
  • Christmas bonus
  • Generous Refer a Friend Scheme
  • Financial wellbeing service
  • Life Assurance
  • Ongoing training and professional development plus High quality CPD opportunities
  • Comprehensive induction programme including face-to-face training, online modules, shadowing, and local induction period.
  • Face-to-face therapeutic training and support for all colleagues via our SHINE programme.
  • Employee assistance programme free, confidential support.
  • Looking after your wellbeing - supporting you need to feel good about what you do. Were in this together.
  • Supportive management and senior leaders.
  • Professional registration fees paid

Details

Date posted

05 February 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£19,140 a year TT Only. 38 Weeks per year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working, Term time hours

Reference number

E0436-26-0000

Job locations

Arise Academy

14 Willis Road

Croydon

CR0 2XX


Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties

Core Responsibilities

To deliver evidence based therapeutic and psychologically informed care which conforms to their own ethical standards and is in line with Horizons Values and SHINE Therapeutic Model of Care.

To undertake OT assessments of young people to identify individual needs and develop and provide the delivery of individualised and group-based intervention programmes.

To provide specialist OT advice and guidance to young peoples plans including behaviour plans, teaching plans, risk assessments and EHCPs.

To develop and contribute to the development, delivery, and evaluation of therapeutic training to all staff in the organisation.

To use outcome and evaluation tools to measure the effectiveness of services and to report this data back to the Head of SEND.

To manage a caseload for individual intervention, providing specialist OT input to young people and teams in educational settings.

To contribute to the development of a therapeutically informed service across education teams.

To provide specialist knowledge of OT principles and techniques through consultation and guidance to other colleagues within Horizon.

To liaise with external agencies e.g., Local Authorities, voluntary agencies, CAMHS to ensure that the needs of the young person are recognised and intervention(s) that are being undertaken are the most appropriate plans for the young person.

Clinical Responsibilities

To engage flexibly with children/young people and colleagues to promote constructive working relationships.

To provide consultation, support, and guidance to colleagues to develop therapeutically informed relationships with young people and to develop appropriate behaviour support and care planning strategies.

To carry out intervention with young people in line with ethical standards including gaining valid informed consent from young people.

To continually evaluate progress against agreed goals, to review and adapt the intervention plans if needed.

To utilise relevant Standardised assessments to inform intervention, ensuring that feedback is provided for young people and the wider team on the outcomes of any measures used.

To provide therapeutic feedback at relevant meetings as requested for example review meetings, MDT meetings, to ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated MDT approach and integrated therapeutic service.

To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities and supervision. To ensure CPD records are kept up to date to evidence ongoing development.

To participate in discussions in regard to referrals.

To write and share appropriate reports regarding intervention that has been undertaken.

To support Education colleagues through observation of young people in classrooms, explanations of behaviours and modelling therapeutic engagement to support the embedding of a wider therapeutic approach.

To provide supports, training, and supervision to assistant practitioners and/or volunteer students when required.

Organisational Responsibilities

To attend regular team meetings and CPD days with other colleagues.

To positively engage with supervision.

To maintain open and straightforward communication with colleagues and provide information within the time and format required.

To provide regular feedback to the team regarding service delivery.

To provide a therapeutic perspective in the development of organisational policies, strategies, and decisions.

To adhere to Horizon Policies and Procedures

Administration Responsibilities

To maintain proper clinical records and provide KPI data returns as required.

To be involved in monitoring and evaluation of Therapy within the organisation.

To maintain expenses and other organisational records as required.

To maintain confidentiality for and with young people (individual and organisational).

Research Responsibilities

To undertake research in areas relevant to clinical work and organisational development, this may be undertaken in collaboration with other professionals, where appropriate. All research projects to be agreed and authorised by the internal Research Ethics Committee and Horizon Leadership team (HLT) .

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties

Core Responsibilities

To deliver evidence based therapeutic and psychologically informed care which conforms to their own ethical standards and is in line with Horizons Values and SHINE Therapeutic Model of Care.

To undertake OT assessments of young people to identify individual needs and develop and provide the delivery of individualised and group-based intervention programmes.

To provide specialist OT advice and guidance to young peoples plans including behaviour plans, teaching plans, risk assessments and EHCPs.

To develop and contribute to the development, delivery, and evaluation of therapeutic training to all staff in the organisation.

To use outcome and evaluation tools to measure the effectiveness of services and to report this data back to the Head of SEND.

To manage a caseload for individual intervention, providing specialist OT input to young people and teams in educational settings.

To contribute to the development of a therapeutically informed service across education teams.

To provide specialist knowledge of OT principles and techniques through consultation and guidance to other colleagues within Horizon.

To liaise with external agencies e.g., Local Authorities, voluntary agencies, CAMHS to ensure that the needs of the young person are recognised and intervention(s) that are being undertaken are the most appropriate plans for the young person.

Clinical Responsibilities

To engage flexibly with children/young people and colleagues to promote constructive working relationships.

To provide consultation, support, and guidance to colleagues to develop therapeutically informed relationships with young people and to develop appropriate behaviour support and care planning strategies.

To carry out intervention with young people in line with ethical standards including gaining valid informed consent from young people.

To continually evaluate progress against agreed goals, to review and adapt the intervention plans if needed.

To utilise relevant Standardised assessments to inform intervention, ensuring that feedback is provided for young people and the wider team on the outcomes of any measures used.

To provide therapeutic feedback at relevant meetings as requested for example review meetings, MDT meetings, to ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated MDT approach and integrated therapeutic service.

To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities and supervision. To ensure CPD records are kept up to date to evidence ongoing development.

To participate in discussions in regard to referrals.

To write and share appropriate reports regarding intervention that has been undertaken.

To support Education colleagues through observation of young people in classrooms, explanations of behaviours and modelling therapeutic engagement to support the embedding of a wider therapeutic approach.

To provide supports, training, and supervision to assistant practitioners and/or volunteer students when required.

Organisational Responsibilities

To attend regular team meetings and CPD days with other colleagues.

To positively engage with supervision.

To maintain open and straightforward communication with colleagues and provide information within the time and format required.

To provide regular feedback to the team regarding service delivery.

To provide a therapeutic perspective in the development of organisational policies, strategies, and decisions.

To adhere to Horizon Policies and Procedures

Administration Responsibilities

To maintain proper clinical records and provide KPI data returns as required.

To be involved in monitoring and evaluation of Therapy within the organisation.

To maintain expenses and other organisational records as required.

To maintain confidentiality for and with young people (individual and organisational).

Research Responsibilities

To undertake research in areas relevant to clinical work and organisational development, this may be undertaken in collaboration with other professionals, where appropriate. All research projects to be agreed and authorised by the internal Research Ethics Committee and Horizon Leadership team (HLT) .

Person Specification

Occupational Therapy

Essential

  • Values
  • Essential or Desirable
  • Application or Interview
  • Compassionate- We listen, care and support with sincerity, empathy, and kindness
  • E
  • A/I
  • Inspiring We promote a culture which is high in expectation, enabling our young people and colleagues to achieve their potential
  • E
  • A/I
  • Dependable We are reliable and trustworthy, creating safe environments where young people can flourish and colleagues can grow, and we always keep our word.
  • E
  • A/I
  • Collaborative- We value our partnerships and work together to create innovative and sustainable solutions for young people.
  • E
  • A/I

Desirable

  • Knowledge of working with SEN aged 5-16

Qualifications

Essential

  • Personal Qualities
  • Essential or Desirable
  • Application or Interview
  • Caring and compassionate - Able to relate honestly to young people and colleagues. Shows respect for individual differences and perspectives amongst colleagues and young people.
  • E
  • A/I
  • Efficiency- Effectively manages their time, resources, and relationships to ensure that work is completed efficiently.
  • E
  • A/I
  • Communication skills - Clearly and concisely conveys information and ideas that engage others in written and verbal formats.
  • E
  • A/I
  • Resilience - Remains calm in uncertain or challenging situations & consistently behaves in a manner that is acceptable to others.
  • E
  • A/I
  • Personal Growth - Takes responsibility for ones own personal impact and development, focusing on increasing self-awareness as well as identifying new areas for learning and professional development and creating learning opportunities.
  • E
  • A/I
Person Specification

Occupational Therapy

Essential

  • Values
  • Essential or Desirable
  • Application or Interview
  • Compassionate- We listen, care and support with sincerity, empathy, and kindness
  • E
  • A/I
  • Inspiring We promote a culture which is high in expectation, enabling our young people and colleagues to achieve their potential
  • E
  • A/I
  • Dependable We are reliable and trustworthy, creating safe environments where young people can flourish and colleagues can grow, and we always keep our word.
  • E
  • A/I
  • Collaborative- We value our partnerships and work together to create innovative and sustainable solutions for young people.
  • E
  • A/I

Desirable

  • Knowledge of working with SEN aged 5-16

Qualifications

Essential

  • Personal Qualities
  • Essential or Desirable
  • Application or Interview
  • Caring and compassionate - Able to relate honestly to young people and colleagues. Shows respect for individual differences and perspectives amongst colleagues and young people.
  • E
  • A/I
  • Efficiency- Effectively manages their time, resources, and relationships to ensure that work is completed efficiently.
  • E
  • A/I
  • Communication skills - Clearly and concisely conveys information and ideas that engage others in written and verbal formats.
  • E
  • A/I
  • Resilience - Remains calm in uncertain or challenging situations & consistently behaves in a manner that is acceptable to others.
  • E
  • A/I
  • Personal Growth - Takes responsibility for ones own personal impact and development, focusing on increasing self-awareness as well as identifying new areas for learning and professional development and creating learning opportunities.
  • E
  • A/I

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Horizon Care and Education Group

Address

Arise Academy

14 Willis Road

Croydon

CR0 2XX


Employer's website

https://www.horizoncare.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Horizon Care and Education Group

Address

Arise Academy

14 Willis Road

Croydon

CR0 2XX


Employer's website

https://www.horizoncare.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Divisional Recruitment Manager - Education

Dave Gilchrist

dave.gilchrist@horizoncare.co.uk

01543387274

Details

Date posted

05 February 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£19,140 a year TT Only. 38 Weeks per year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working, Term time hours

Reference number

E0436-26-0000

Job locations

Arise Academy

14 Willis Road

Croydon

CR0 2XX


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