Highly Specialist Children's Occupational Therapist

NHS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Greater London is seeking a Highly Specialist Children’s Occupational Therapist to join their Occupational Therapy team. The role involves working with children in various settings, providing intervention and support while pursuing a specialism in integrated health and social care. Candidates should have a recognised Occupational Therapy Degree and substantial post-graduate experience in paediatric settings, particularly with autistic young people. This position promises career development within a supportive and dynamic team environment.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Supportive working environment

Qualifications

• Recognised Occupational Therapy Degree Qualification leading to registration.
• Evidence of successful completion of continuing professional development.
• Substantial post‑graduate experience as an OT including work with autistic young people.

Responsibilities

• Supervise OTs and students and work with Clinical Leads to develop the OT service.
• Participate in a MDT internal training programme.
• Address health and social care needs of children and young people.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Negotiation and problem solving skills

Ability to work with families in crisis

Developed supervision skills

Ability to speak a community language

Education

Occupational Therapy Degree or equivalent

Registered Member of College of Occupational Therapists

Job description

Highly Specialist Children’s Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 05 January 2026.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and innovative Occupational Therapist with experience working with children in a community, inpatient or CAMHS setting to join our dynamic Occupational Therapy team based at the Hackney Ark. You will be supported to pursue a specialism within our integrated health and social care team, driving service development and evidence‑based practice within this area of practice.

For further information or if you would like to discuss the role, please contact Caoimhe Agnew, Clinical Lead Occupational Therapists on 020 7014 7025.

Main duties of the job

The well‑resourced OT service has been commissioned to address the health and social care needs of children and young people and has a history of championing non‑traditional roles to meet the varying occupational needs of children and young people across the Borough. These include a short breaks / leisure team, a post specifically for looked after children, a service to support transition to adult services and a universal service, addressing the needs of our local population. The service has consistently maintained low wait times, giving the opportunity to offer intervention to children and young people and their families.

You will be based in the heart of Hackney at The Ark, a purpose‑built Child Development Centre, where teams work closely to offer a joined‑up service to families. The Clinical Leads offer regular supervision and there is an MDT internal training programme; external CPD and networking are supported and encouraged. You will supervise OTs and students and work with the Clinical Leads and other Band 7s to further develop and grow the OT service.

About us

Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a high performing and flourishing organisation serving the population of Hackney, East London, The City and beyond.

We are extremely proud of the fact that Homerton Hospital has recently attained the highest possible rating of “Outstanding” from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Our integrated Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community health services for its local population and a range of specialist services for a wider group of patients. In addition, the Trust manages services out of St Leonard’s Hospital and the Mary Seacole Nursing Home.

Homerton aims to ensure equality and value diversity, and we are committed to inclusion for all of our staff. This is reflected in our policies, procedures and People Plan. All of our staff are expected to embody our Trust values at all times.

We are also committed, through our Fair Recruitment Standards, to ensuring all applicants are treated fairly.

Homerton has a proud tradition of supporting and developing its staff, including its well regarded and valued nursing community, and all staff are able to take advantage of a great range of benefits.

Homerton is proud to have been included on the HSJ & Nursing Times Best Places to Work list.

Person Specification

Trust Values

• Understanding and demonstration of the Trust Values

Ed/Qualifications

• Recognised Occupational Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent leading to registration with HPC Health Professions Council – Licence to Practice
• Evidence of successful completion and maintenance of continuing professional development
• Registered Member of College of Occupational Therapists – Member of CYPF special interest group – MSc in relevant subject – Fieldwork Educators Course

Skills/Abilities

• Ability to demonstrate staff values
• Ability to work with families who may be in crisis and resistant to professional input
• Excellent interpersonal skills – including observation, listening and empathy skills
• Negotiation and problem solving skills
• Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal
• Demonstrates good analytical and reflection skills
• Good organisational and prioritisation skills
• Developed supervision skills
• Proficiency in physically handling children with disabilities and demonstrating handling techniques to carers
• Competence in assessing, adjusting and fitting equipment for children
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to plan workload for delegated area of work
• Ability to delegate work to others
• Ability to speak a community language

Experience

• Substantial post‑graduate experience as an OT including work in a paediatric setting with autistic young people
• Experience of audit and understanding of research principles
• Experience of developing training packages
• At least 6 months experience of working within the NHS
• Experience of writing EHCP reports
• Experience of working in traded services occupational therapy, and writing proposals

Knowledge

• Confidentiality issues
• In‑depth knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to children’s occupational therapy and autism
• In‑depth knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions and an ability to compare and contrast relative benefits
• In‑depth knowledge of assessment tools and outcome measures relevant to the client group including the utilisation and interpretation of standardised tests and outcome measures
• Knowledge and adherence to clinical governance procedures and standards of record keeping

Other

• Commitment and adherence to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Ability to travel around the Borough
• Able to respond to external demands appropriately

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.