Experienced Occupational Therapist

Channels and Choices; Dover; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization in therapeutic child-care seeks an experienced Occupational Therapist to join their multidisciplinary team. This role involves providing therapy services, collaborating with staff, and supporting children's development. Extensive training opportunities and a supportive environment are offered.

Benefits

Private Optical, Dental, and Audiological cover

Private Medical care

Loyalty scheme with extra annual leave

Long service awards

Team building days

Employee assistance programme

£3,000 Joining Bonus

Annual CPD budget

Funding for external clinical supervision

Full induction training

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years post-Preceptorship experience required.
• Experience in report writing and delivering interventions.

Responsibilities

• Provide Occupational Therapy services within a therapeutic community.
• Assess children’s physical, sensory, and self-care skills.
• Develop and oversee OT programmes, supporting assistants.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Relationship Building

Change Promotion

Support Skills

Education

Degree in Occupational Therapy

HCPC registration

Job description

Salary Range - £44,962 - £48,526 per annum - dependent on qualifications & experience

Full Time (37.5 hours per week)

28 Days paid annual leave + 8 bank holidays

Full Time (37.5 hours) and Part Time hours considered – This is a permanent position based at our Therapeutic Community, Kearsney Manor, Temple Ewell, Kent.

Channels & Choices is a centre of excellence in therapeutic child-care. Our community in East Kent includes 7 therapeutic residential children’s homes, a school, and a fostering service. As part of our team, you will help transform children’s lives and support their development, working with children and the adults caring for them.

We are expanding our Residential service, Fostering Service, and Sallygate School. We seek an experienced, innovative Occupational Therapist with a minimum of 2 years’ post-Preceptorship experience to join our multidisciplinary Therapy Team, which includes Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Play and Art Therapists, a Psychiatrist, and Therapy Assistants.

We offer extensive staff development opportunities, including internal and external training and sharing best practices.

Perks, Rewards, and Benefits

• Private Optical, Dental, and Audiological cover
• Private Medical care
• Loyalty scheme with extra annual leave after 2 years, up to 5 days
• Long service awards at 5, 10, and 15 years
• Team building days, parties, meals, and more
• Employee assistance programme for health and wellbeing
• £3,000 Joining Bonus after successful probation
• Annual CPD budget
• Funding for external clinical supervision
• Support for professional registration
• Full induction training

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

1. Provide Occupational Therapy services within a therapeutic community, developing the organisation’s provision across fostering, residential homes, and school.
2. Collaborate with colleagues, providing advice and support to children, staff, and foster carers.
3. Assess children’s physical, sensory, and self-care skills using standardised and non-standardised assessments.
4. Offer interventions, treatments, and strategies to support children’s needs.
5. Monitor and evaluate interventions, adjusting as necessary.
6. Develop and oversee OT programmes, supporting and advising OT assistants and the team.
7. Complete health questionnaires and risk assessments for weighted equipment use.
8. Participate in multi-agency meetings, providing feedback.
9. Deliver training and education to staff and carers.
10. Conduct screening assessments to identify further needs.
11. Contribute to research on treatment provision.
12. Prepare accurate reports and verbal communications for colleagues.
13. Design, supervise, and evaluate intervention programmes.
14. Utilise supervision, support, and training effectively.
15. Ensure interventions respect cultural, racial, religious, and sexual diversity.
16. Stay informed on research, theory, and literature to support evidence-based practice.
17. Participate in discussions on children’s care and support.
18. Maintain knowledge of relevant legislation, safeguarding, and confidentiality.
19. Engage in ongoing professional development.
20. Work within the standards of the Royal College of OT and its Code of Conduct.
21. Perform other duties as appropriate.

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential)

• Degree in Occupational Therapy
• HCPC registration

Experience (Essential)

• At least 2 years’ post-Preceptorship experience
• Specialist assessment experience for children with complex sensory needs
• Experience in report writing and delivering interventions
• Guidance and consultation experience with professionals and non-professionals

Experience (Desirable)

• Experience working with children in care

Skills & Abilities (Essential)

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Relationship building and change promotion skills
• Proficiency in report and assessment writing
• Effective use of supervision for development
• Support skills for distressed children and challenging behaviour

Skills & Abilities (Desirable)

• Training development and facilitation skills

Knowledge (Essential)

• Understanding of child development
• Theories, practices, and research in Occupational Therapy
• Child Protection & Safeguarding policies
• Mental health needs of children and adolescents

Personal Qualities (Essential)

• Commitment to professional growth
• Professional credibility
• Valuing diversity and equal opportunities
• Reflective practice and supervision commitment
• Warm, engaging, and problem-solving approach

Additional

Driver with own car required.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, requiring adherence to our policies, DBS disclosure, references, and right to work verification. We celebrate diversity and promote inclusive recruitment practices. Background social media checks may be conducted on applicants.