Children's Occupational Therapist

NHS; Watford; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative and agile service is seeking a dynamic Occupational Therapist to join their well-established team. This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people, providing high-quality interventions in a supportive environment. You will be part of a collaborative team that values professional development and offers training opportunities. With a focus on creativity and flexibility, this position allows you to champion the needs of your patients while working alongside dedicated colleagues. If you're passionate about helping children thrive, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

CPD Opportunities

Regular Supervision

Induction Period

Leadership Development

Qualifications

• Postgraduate experience in assessment and treatment of children.
• Knowledge of children's occupational therapy assessments.

Responsibilities

• Provide interventions for children aged 0-25 in various settings.
• Collaborate with education professionals for integrated care.

Skills

Communication Skills

Clinical Reasoning

Organisational Skills

Teamwork

Education

Degree in Occupational Therapy

Registered with HCPC

Job description

Job summary

We are looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic and creative Occupational Therapist to be a part of our well-established Occupational Therapy team.You will be joining an innovative and agile Children and Young People's Therapy (CYPT) Service committed to delivering high quality intervention and transforming lives.

We have an exciting opportunity to offer a 1 WTE Band 5-6 progressive post. This post will be based at Peace Children's Centre in Watford.

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust provides integrated Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Services for families across the county. Our CYPT integrated service provides opportunities for collaborative working, joint training and shared learning amongst each profession. Our service is jointly commissioned by health, social care and education, allowing us to provide a seamless pathway of care from early years through to schools, specialist provisions and further education settings, and at home.

Main duties of the job

Our integrated service provides opportunities for collaborative working, joint training and shared learning amongst each profession. We work closely with colleagues in education, with well-established relationships.

The successful applicant will be expected to hold an 0-25 years caseload, providing a service which meets both the health and education Occupational Therapy needs of CYP, providing interventions in a variety of settings, e.g. mainstream settings, specialist provisions, pre-school settings and clinics.Ideally applicants should have post graduate experience/training in assessment and treatment of clients with neurological conditions/learning disability/neurodiverse conditions. We have a practise development lead with dedicated time to support and upskill new band 5/6 staff. Training will be provided in areas where further up skilling and development is required.

We can offer:

• Regular group supervision, managerial supervision and a well-established appraisal system, preceptorship programme for newly qualified
• CPD opportunities, including in service masterclasses
• Opportunities to develop leadership skills and to supervise less experienced members of staff
• Opportunities to work alongside other therapists/assistants to deliver intervention to children/young people requiring specialist support
• An initial induction period where you will have the opportunity to observe and shadow your team.

About us

If you are looking for somewhere to make a real difference and are passionate about helping CYP access the right support at the right time to help them stay safe, and thrive in their development, a career with us may be just what you're looking for. At HCT we strive to make a difference to the health and wellbeing of our communities.

We are proud to be an organisation which focuses on our people, and we welcome people who share our values to come and work with us.

Our shared values support the development of a strong working culture, guiding and inspiring all of our actions and decisions. They enable us to be better at what we do ensuring we provide the highest quality of care to our patients.

Our patients, their families and carers are at the centre of our vision - Outstanding Services and Healthier Communities

Our staff are proud to be Innovative, Caring and Agile in their work to help achieve the Trust vision

We welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from all backgrounds and ages

You've made a great decision to apply to join to HCT - we're looking forward to taking the next steps of the journey with you.

Date posted

02 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £44,962 a year pro rata per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

812-25-KWCYP21

Job locations

Peace Children's Centre

Peace Prospect

Watford

WD17 3EW

Job description Job responsibilities

Please see Job Description attached, which details the responsibilities within this post.

Childrens Occupational Therapy is based on a 3 Tier model of service delivery, with provision at Universal, Targeted and Specialist tiers.

Successful candidates will need to be enthusiastic and motivated. Good communication, clinical reasoning and organisational skills are essential. You must be a team player but be able to work autonomously and have the ability to champion the needs of your patients.

You will be joining a well-established, supportive team of therapists and assistants. CYP Therapies at HCT pride ourselves on the support we provide to staff. Please see below comments from a current member of the team:

I love working in CYPT/HCT - everyone in the team is super dedicated. There is strong management support, but also space for being flexible and creative to meet childrens needs; innovation & good practice is valued and encouraged. I enjoy & appreciate the robust supervision structures, training in supervision & coaching, and the many opportunities for personal development and learning, including for example in-house training days and tutorials. I have worked in many teams across Hertfordshire, all without exception friendly and welcoming. There is an ethos of peer support and encouragement & sharing learning; everyone works hard but there is a sense of belonging and always time for a quick chat and plenty of laughs. I feel valued here and I value my lovely colleagues and the fabulous children & young people we work with.

If you have any questions at all or you would like to come and visit us, please do contact us - we are only too happy to help and would love to tell you more about our Service.

Applicants wanting to work full time or part time will be considered. A full valid driving licence and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

In addition to the basic salary, this post attracts a High Cost Area Supplement of 5% of basic salary subject to a minimum payment of £1,258 and a maximum payment of £2,122 per annum pro rata (pro rata where applicable and dependent on base location).

Interview dates are set for 19th May 2025

Job description Job responsibilities

Please see Job Description attached, which details the responsibilities within this post.

Childrens Occupational Therapy is based on a 3 Tier model of service delivery, with provision at Universal, Targeted and Specialist tiers.

Successful candidates will need to be enthusiastic and motivated. Good communication, clinical reasoning and organisational skills are essential. You must be a team player but be able to work autonomously and have the ability to champion the needs of your patients.

You will be joining a well-established, supportive team of therapists and assistants. CYP Therapies at HCT pride ourselves on the support we provide to staff. Please see below comments from a current member of the team:

I love working in CYPT/HCT - everyone in the team is super dedicated. There is strong management support, but also space for being flexible and creative to meet childrens needs; innovation & good practice is valued and encouraged. I enjoy & appreciate the robust supervision structures, training in supervision & coaching, and the many opportunities for personal development and learning, including for example in-house training days and tutorials. I have worked in many teams across Hertfordshire, all without exception friendly and welcoming. There is an ethos of peer support and encouragement & sharing learning; everyone works hard but there is a sense of belonging and always time for a quick chat and plenty of laughs. I feel valued here and I value my lovely colleagues and the fabulous children & young people we work with.

If you have any questions at all or you would like to come and visit us, please do contact us - we are only too happy to help and would love to tell you more about our Service.

Applicants wanting to work full time or part time will be considered. A full valid driving licence and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

In addition to the basic salary, this post attracts a High Cost Area Supplement of 5% of basic salary subject to a minimum payment of £1,258 and a maximum payment of £2,122 per annum pro rata (pro rata where applicable and dependent on base location).

Interview dates are set for 19th May 2025

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Registered to practice with Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC)
• Evidence of Post graduate training/or equivalent experience relevant to speciality such as: o Child Development o Bobath Techniques o Moving and Handling of People o Specialist courses/ study on conditions that affect child development, autistic spectrum disorders, ADHD, neurodevelopment conditions
• Continued Professional Development evidenced by attendance at postgraduate courses to maintain and develop own specialist knowledge and expertise.

Desirable

• Membership of RCOT Special Interest Group

Other Essential

• Hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

Knowledge and Experience Essential

• Knowledge of Children's Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions related to working with children and an understanding of the theoretical framework underpinning these.
• Awareness of typical child development
• The ability to analyse assessment results to formulate treatment plans, including the use of "SMART" targets, recommend suitable equipment, taking into consideration client, social and environmental factors.
• Good multi-disciplinary/agency working skills
• Involves patients in decision making around their care and treatment planning and ensure that the care provided is safe
• Understands the remit of the role, what is required of them and able to make decisions within their role in a timely manner.

Desirable

• Experience of participation in education of students
• Experience or participation in presentation and teaching to the wider childrens workforce, parents and carers and junior colleagues.
• Understanding of the Special Educational Needs Assessment process related to supporting children within special and mainstream schools and contributing to their Education, Health and Care Plans.

Skills and Abilities Essential

• Excellent communication skills both oral and written, including the ability to liaise and negotiate.
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels across organisations and with a range of audiences.
• Work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and the service users.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Registered to practice with Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC)
• Evidence of Post graduate training/or equivalent experience relevant to speciality such as: o Child Development o Bobath Techniques o Moving and Handling of People o Specialist courses/ study on conditions that affect child development, autistic spectrum disorders, ADHD, neurodevelopment conditions
• Continued Professional Development evidenced by attendance at postgraduate courses to maintain and develop own specialist knowledge and expertise.

Desirable

• Membership of RCOT Special Interest Group

Other Essential

• Hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

Knowledge and Experience Essential

• Knowledge of Children's Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions related to working with children and an understanding of the theoretical framework underpinning these.
• Awareness of typical child development
• The ability to analyse assessment results to formulate treatment plans, including the use of "SMART" targets, recommend suitable equipment, taking into consideration client, social and environmental factors.
• Good multi-disciplinary/agency working skills
• Involves patients in decision making around their care and treatment planning and ensure that the care provided is safe
• Understands the remit of the role, what is required of them and able to make decisions within their role in a timely manner.

Desirable

• Experience of participation in education of students
• Experience or participation in presentation and teaching to the wider childrens workforce, parents and carers and junior colleagues.
• Understanding of the Special Educational Needs Assessment process related to supporting children within special and mainstream schools and contributing to their Education, Health and Care Plans.

Skills and Abilities Essential

• Excellent communication skills both oral and written, including the ability to liaise and negotiate.
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels across organisations and with a range of audiences.
• Work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and the service users.

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

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

Address

Peace Children's Centre

Peace Prospect

Watford

WD17 3EW

Employer's website

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

Employer details Employer name

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

Address

Peace Children's Centre

Peace Prospect

Watford

WD17 3EW

Employer's website

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