Occupational Therapist

eTeach UK Limited; Tooting; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme (LGPS/TPS)

Salary sacrifice schemes

Employee wellbeing & flexible working

Season ticket loan

Various staff discounts

Job summary

Nightingale Community Academy is seeking a highly organised Occupational Therapist to work with students aged 5–19 with SEMH needs in a specialist setting in Wandsworth. The role involves delivering evidence-based assessments and tailored therapy to support access to education and wellbeing.

Working with teachers, families and external partners, you will implement individual programmes, monitor progress and contribute to whole-school inclusion while upholding safeguarding and professional

Qualifications

• HCPC registration or eligibility to register
• Experience with children or young people with additional needs
• Experience delivering occupational therapy interventions in educational or clinical settings
• Knowledge of safeguarding and inclusion practices

Responsibilities

• Provide occupational therapy assessments to support learning, wellbeing and daily function
• Develop and review individualised therapy programmes
• Collaborate with families, teaching staff and multidisciplinary teams
• Support EHCP outcomes and inclusion strategies
• Uphold safeguarding and professional standards

Skills

Experience with SEMH children

Collaborative working

Evidence-based therapy planning

Multi-disciplinary collaboration

Education

HCPC registered or eligible

Job description

Salary: £44,684 to £52,990 (plus cost of living pay rise)

Salary: Professional Scale benchmarked to NHS Band 6 £44,684 to £52,990 (plus cost of living pay rise pending)

Location: Nightingale Community Academy, Beechcroft Road, SW17 7DFContract: Permanent Working Pattern: Full time, 36 hours per week (8.30am – 4.00pm on Monday, Wednesday & Friday; 8.30am – 4.30pm on Tuesdays & Thursdays).

Nightingale Community Academy is a special school in Wandsworth, providing education for boys aged 5 to 19 with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs. Our primary pupils benefit from a purpose-built classroom hub, an outdoor adventure playground, weekly music lessons, and a comprehensive therapy service. Secondary and post-16 students have access to a broad curriculum, including vocational courses such as motor vehicle studies, construction, horticulture, and hospitality. All pupils also enjoy regular animal therapy sessions at Tom’s Farm, located on our expansive school grounds. Staff at Nightingale Community Academy take pride in the development of young people in a safe and stimulating environment and are offered a rewarding and varied career in return.

We are seeking a highly organised and motivated Occupational Therapist to work collaboratively with teachers, leaders, learners and families to promote inclusion, engagement and access to learning. The role involves delivering evidence-based occupational therapy assessments and interventions, addressing barriers to learning, developing and implementing individualised therapy programmes, and monitoring progress and wellbeing. The post also contributes to whole-school inclusion and therapeutic strategies and upholds safeguarding and professional standards across all settings.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide occupational therapy assessment and intervention to support learners’ access to education, wellbeing and daily functioning
• Deliver targeted, evidence-based therapeutic interventions to address barriers to learning and participation
• Develop, implement and review individualised occupational therapy programmes and contribute to EHCP outcomes
• Work collaboratively with families, teaching staff and multi-disciplinary and external agencies
• Support teaching and learning through advice, training, planning, monitoring and feedback
• Uphold safeguarding, health, safety, professional standards and academy policies

Key Requirements

• Degree in Occupational Therapy with HCPC registration (or eligibility to register)
• Experience working with children or young people with additional needs, including neurodevelopmental and behavioural difficulties
• Experience delivering individual and group-based occupational therapy interventions
• Knowledge and practical experience of therapeutic approaches, inclusion and safeguarding within an educational or clinical setting
• Enhanced DBS clearance (or willingness to obtain)

OHCAT is an exciting, forward-thinking organisation, and we offer many benefits to attract and keep our staff, contributing towards maintaining and improving wellbeing, and encouraging our required behaviours, achievements, values, and skills. Below is just a selection of the benefits available to our employees:

Rewards & Benefits

• Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment
• Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme, Employee Car Lease Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme)
• Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme and Free Virtual GP Appointments
• Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
• Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)

Find out what makes Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust a truly rewarding place to work - visit our ‘Work for Us’ page to hear from our Chief Executive Officer, Ian Valvona, and watch inspiring messages from students and parents about the difference our staff make every day.

Our Trust Nightingale Community Academy is part of Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust. We are a family of specialist education providers from pre-school through to further education across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire and fully represent all designations of special education needs and disabilities (SEND). To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit our website.

We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.

Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.

As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities.

It is an exciting time to be part of OHCAT and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment.

Closing Date: Wednesday 21st November 2026Interview Date: Monday 26th November 2026(To help us manage applications effectively, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient suitable applications are received.)