Head Of Occupational Therapy

Shaftesbury; Poole; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Shaftesbury is recruiting an Occupational Therapist to lead the therapy team at Victoria School, Poole. You will supervise OT staff, manage a caseload of students 3–19, and work with families and professionals to improve outcomes. A supportive MDT environment with CPD opportunities awaits.

Requirements: 3–5 years post-qualification, HCPC registration, degree in Occupational Therapy. Term-time, 37.5 hours/week, salary £49,387–£56,515 pro rata.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy
• HCPC registered
• Minimum of 3-5 years post graduate experience in Occupational Therapy
• Experience managing or leading a team
• Experience working with children & young adults
• Manual Handling and safe moving practices
• Working in a multidisciplinary or multiagency team

Responsibilities

• Lead the Occupational Therapy team and supervise its staff
• Carry a caseload of students with developmental needs and carry out assessments and interventions
• Collaborate with families and other professionals to improve outcomes for children
• Provide information, guidance and support to colleagues and families
• Support professional development and in-service training for OT staff

Job description

Job reference: 006481

Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 DOE prorata

Department: Education

Hours Per Week: 37.5

Closing date: 30/10/2026

Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Occupational Therapy team at Victoria School. The successful applicant will be motivated and enthusiastic and ready to join our skilled multidisciplinary therapy team based at Victoria School in Poole, Dorset. Shaftesbury, Victoria School is a school for students aged 3-19 with a variety of conditions including physical and medical needs, associated learning difficulties and autistic spectrum conditions. We are in Poole, Dorset. We are a fully inclusive and integrated school that inspires and creates a wonderfully calm and nurturing environment. Working with us can provide you with exciting career development and training opportunities. You will receive a comprehensive induction programme, access training, regular supervision and receive excellent support from experienced OT’s and OTAs. You will also have a range of CPD opportunities to be involved in. The post holder will be responsible for leading the Occupational Therapy team working closely with the Head of Therapies at the school. You will also hold a caseload of students with which you will carry out assessments and interventions, to children with a variety of developmental disorders. You will work closely with families and with other professionals to provide an excellent quality of care and to act as a source of information, support and advice. You will be responsible for the supervision of the Occupational Therapists within the team. Ideally, you will have experience of working with children either in a special school or within a paediatric Occupational Therapy setting. You will have supervisory or management experience in terms of leading a team. A minimum of 3-5 years' experience post-graduation is required. If you are passionate about working with young people, able to use an integrated therapy and education approach; working with children, families, therapy and teaching staff to improve outcomes for children, we would love to hear from you. We look forward to welcoming applicants that value knowledge, skills and ideas and has excellent communication skills. In return you will join a supportive, friendly and experienced team and an organisation with strong core values and a commitment to professional development, including in-service training and opportunities to develop your leadership skills.

Essential Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy
• HCPC registered
• Minimum of 3-5 years post graduate experience in Occupational Therapy
• Experience managing or leading a team.
• Experience working with children & young adults
• Manual Handling and safe moving practices
• Working in a multidisciplinary or multiagency team

Desirable Qualifications

• Sensory Integration qualifications

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, term time only. Fixed for one year.

Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 (Please note this post is pro rata term time only and dependent on experience and therefore the actual salary will reflect this).

Supporting Documents

Take a look around the company https://www.shaftesburygroup.org/