Lead Occupational Therapist

Acorn Care and Education; Greater London; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational organization is looking for a Lead Paediatric Occupational Therapist for their multi-campus settings in South West London. You will design and implement high-quality occupational therapy services, support pupils with complex needs, and lead a team of therapists. The role offers competitive salary, opportunities for professional development, and a supportive environment to make a positive impact on young lives.

Benefits

CPD opportunities and funded specialist training

Staff wellbeing and flexible working options

Competitive medical insurance rates

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years’ post-qualification experience with complex children and young people.
• Experience of working in SEMH, education, or alternative provision settings.
• Excellent understanding of attachment, trauma, and neurodevelopment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the Occupational Therapy service across all campuses.
• Deliver specialist OT assessments and interventions for pupils with SEMH and neurodiverse needs.
• Design and deliver staff training to support embedded occupational therapy strategies.

Skills

Leadership skills

Clinical assessment

Communication skills

Education

BSc or MSc in Occupational Therapy

HCPC Registration

Royal College of Occupational Therapy Registration

Job description

Job Title

Lead Paediatric Occupational Therapist for SEMH Schools

Location

Multi-Campus SEMH School Settings in South West London

Contract Type

Full-Time, Permanent

Reports to

Team Lead and Director of Services for Occupational Therapy

Salary

£38,000 – £46,800 Depending on Experience

Contract

Summer Contract with the following benefits:

• Summer Contract
• 5 weeks off in the school summer break
• 22 days of annual leave + years of service allowance
• 1 CPD day to use towards training
• Annual CPD opportunities + Monthly internal CPD provided.
• Exclusive discounts within Benefit Hub
• Competitive medical insurance rates
• A block of free counselling sessions
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric car purchase scheme
• A “Moment in Time” day a year to use as you please.
• Life assurance
• Critical illness cover
• We provide our staff with the support they need to succeed. Part time or Term-time contracts also considered.

Hours

37.5 Hour Week

Flexible working across 6 days (Monday-Saturday)

Job Purpose

The Lead Occupational Therapist will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing a high-quality occupational therapy provision across multiple campuses within Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) schools. This role combines leadership and clinical responsibilities and will work closely with education and therapeutic teams to support pupils with a range of complex needs and neurodivergence within primary and secondary settings.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Lead and coordinate the Occupational Therapy (OT) service across all campuses.
• Provide leadership and support for a team of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants.
• Develop and enforce OT policies, procedures, and service delivery models in line with LCP and whole-school strategies.
• Ensure effective allocation of caseloads and staff resources in the school settings.
• Attend leadership meetings and contribute to whole-school planning and development.
• Coordinate induction for new staff within the school settings to ensure streamlining of services.
• Foster strong collaborative working with the wider therapy team, senior management, and other health professionals on site.
• Communicate any performance or management concerns to your director of services.

Clinical Practice

• Deliver specialist OT assessments and interventions for pupils with SEMH and neurodiverse needs.
• Develop, monitor, and review individualised therapy plans.
• Provide clinical reports to support EHCPs, annual reviews, and tribunal processes.
• Promote inclusive practice through class-based strategies and environmental modifications.
• Lead on therapeutic interventions.
• Support transition planning and interventions for pupils moving between provisions.

Training & Capacity Building

• Design and deliver staff training to support with embedded occupational therapy strategies and neuro-affirming practices.
• Support the development of trauma-informed, therapeutic classrooms.
• Mentor staff on embedding OT strategies into everyday school life.

Safeguarding & Compliance

• Maintain accurate, confidential, and up-to-date records in accordance with GDPR and HCPC standards.
• Adhere to safeguarding responsibilities in line with school and local authority policy.
• Ensure service quality through audits, feedback, and continuous improvement.

Person Specification

Essential

• BSc or MSc in Occupational Therapy
• HCPC Registration
• Royal College of Occupational Therapy Registration
• Minimum of 4 years’ post-qualification experience with complex children and young people
• Experience of working in SEMH, education, or alternative provision settings
• Leadership or service development experience
• Excellent understanding of attachment, trauma, and neurodevelopment
• Confident with report writing and multi-agency working

Desirable

• Postgraduate training in trauma-informed care, or related specialisms
• Knowledge of SEND processes including EHCPs and Annual Reviews
• Experience working with Looked After Children or those with significant social care involvement
• Understanding of positive behaviour support approaches

What We Offer

• A passionate and forward-thinking team
• CPD opportunities and funded specialist training
• Clinical supervision and reflective practice sessions
• Opportunities to innovate and lead within a growing SEMH provision
• Staff wellbeing and flexible working options
• A chance to make a life-changing impact on young people