Occupational Therapist

Oak Tree School; Sindlesham, Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Annual leave

ME day

Professional development

Hybrid working

Perkbox

Wellbeing support

Employee assistance programme

Mental health support

TeamMET recognition

Employee referral scheme

Job summary

Oak Tree School in Winnersh, Reading, is seeking an experienced Occupational Therapist to support pupils aged 5-19 with diverse educational and clinical needs, including autism and sensory processing requirements. You will assess access, provide personal care support, and deliver therapy at universal, targeted, and specialist levels within a whole-school approach.

The role requires HCPC and RCOT registration, with a track record of delivering OT services to children and young people.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering OT services to children and young people.
• Experience with Autistic children and SEND.
• Ability to write assessments and EHCP-related reports.
• Proactive in service development and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Work with pupils aged 5-19 with diverse needs (ASD, Dyspraxia DCD, sensory needs).
• Provide assessments for access, personal care support, and sensory management.
• Conduct therapy at universal, targeted and specialist levels within whole-school approaches.
• Prepare EHCP assessments and amendments and contribute to reports.

Skills

OT experience

Autism support

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy

HCPC Registration

RCOT Membership

Job description

Key Responsibilities for the Role

• Work with pupils aged 5-19 with diverse educational and clinical needs, including ASD, Dyspraxia DCD, and Sensory Processing needs.
• Provide a range of services including assessments for physical and environmental access, personal care support, and sensory needs management.
• Conduct therapy at universal, targeted, and specialist levels, focusing on whole-school approaches.
• Engage in report writing for EHCP processes, including assessments and section amendments.

Essential requirements to be successful in the role are:

• Minimum 2 years’ post-qualification experience in Occupational Therapy.
• RCOT and HCPC Registration.
• Demonstrated success in providing Occupational Therapy services to children and young people.
• Strong attention to detail, proactive approach to service development.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Teamworking proficiency.

About this Role

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the following;

Experience of working with Autistic children

Experience of working with SEND

Knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions.

HCPC/HCOT registration.

Training opportunities available. eg sensory integration / SOS feeding

The successful candidates will be hard working and committed, with the ability to inspire, motivate and encourage children with additional needs.

About the School

Newly opened in September 2023, Oak Tree School, based in Winnersh, Reading, is an exciting collaborative project which will provide a safe and happy learning environment for 150 learners from Year 1 to Year 13, with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for Autism Spectrum Conditions and associated complex needs, including Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN).

These children and young people have boundless potential so, at the heart of Oak Tree School’s provision, will be a rich and stimulating curriculum, specialist personal development education and targeted therapeutic programmes delivered by talented and specialist staff.

The impetus for this project has been a partnership between Brighter Futures for Children, Reading Borough Council and Wokingham Borough Council as part of their commitment to providing additional special school places for local children close to their own communities.

Community, inclusion and respect are key Maiden Erlegh Trust values, and they underpin our vision for Oak Tree School. As the project progresses, we will continue to work with our partners and listen to parents and children to realise our vision. Only in this way can we meet the needs of every child and help each one to reach their potential. Linked to our community values, the school will also offer a range of outreach programmes to support SEND pupils in mainstream schools.

We have developed a trust wide Special & AP Hub, providing opportunities to connect with staffmembers in our specialist settings,where we collaborate, learn and innovate together. The mission is to enhance the quality of education and support we provide to students with diverse needs. We encourage open communication, empathy, and respect, at all levels, as we believe that a supportive and inclusive atmosphere is essential for growth and development.

About the Trust

Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 800 staff and 5000 students across nine schools, including primary, secondary, special, and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise.

We Aim High, Be Inclusive, and Work Together. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all, through collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities, and our annual MET Staff Conference—a day that unites our whole team in sharing best practice and learning.

Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise; it is about playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people.

Benefits

Further information about some of the staff benefits that Maiden Erlegh Trust offers its employees, can be found on our website HERE.

Benefits of Working with Maiden Erlegh Trust

• Pension Scheme - Generous employer contributions through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme
• Annual Leave - Generous entitlement, increasing with length of service
• ME Day - One additional day’s leave each year for a significant personal event
• Professional Development - Extensive CPD through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, annual Trust Conference and apprenticeship opportunities
• Hybrid Working - Flexible working arrangements for eligible roles
• Perkbox - Discounts, wellbeing resources and monthly perk points
• Wellbeing and Health - Free flu vaccinations and eye tests (where eligible)
• Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 support and discount schemes
• Mental Health First Aid Support
• Recognition and Community - Celebrating achievements and milestones across #TeamMET
• Employee Referral Scheme

Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satsfactory references.