Occupational Therapy Graduate | SEND Support |

Protocol Education Ltd; Ferryhill; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly PAYE pay

No umbrella companies

FREE CPD Academy

Dedicated consultant

Local education opportunities

SEND and mainstream experience

Refer a Friend rewards

Job summary

Protocol Education are seeking an Occupational Therapy Graduate to join a school in Ferryhill, supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. This is a full-time, term-time only position with a daily pay rate dependent on experience.

Ideal candidates are recent graduates in Occupational Therapy who want practical classroom experience, helping pupils develop independence, fine motor skills and sensory regulation while working with the SEND team.

Qualifications

• OT degree or due to graduate
• Passionate about working with children
• Calm, patient and supportive
• Understanding of sensory needs and child development
• Enthusiastic about learning
• Works well as part of a team

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with additional needs to develop independence, confidence and practical skills
• Help pupils develop fine motor skills and coordination through practical activities
• Support sensory regulation and emotional wellbeing
• Assist pupils to become more independent
• Adapt activities to meet individual needs
• Work with teachers and SEND professionals
• Build trusting relationships with pupils
• Celebrate progress and encourage improvement

Education

Occupational Therapy degree

Job description

Occupational Therapy Graduate | SEND Support | Ferryhill

Location: Ferryhill
Job Type: Full Time, Term Time Only
Start Date: September 2026
Pay: £92.63–£108 per day, dependent on experience

Looking for your first step after graduating in Occupational Therapy?

Protocol Education are looking for an Occupational Therapy Graduate to join a school in Ferryhill, supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

This is an ideal opportunity for a recent graduate who wants to gain practical experience working with children while developing skills that could benefit their future Occupational Therapy career.

The role

You'll support pupils with a range of additional needs, helping them to develop their independence, confidence and practical skills.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Supporting children with autism, ADHD and sensory processing needs
• Developing fine motor skills and coordination through practical activities
• Supporting sensory regulation and emotional wellbeing
• Helping pupils become more independent
• Adapting activities to meet individual needs
• Working alongside teachers and SEND professionals
• Building trusting relationships with pupils
• Encouraging and celebrating progress

About you

We're looking for someone who:

• Has an Occupational Therapy degree or is due to graduate
• Is passionate about working with children
• Is calm, patient and supportive
• Has an understanding of sensory needs and child development
• Is enthusiastic about learning
• Works well as part of a team

Experience working with children is desirable but not essential — placements, volunteering or previous experience are all valuable.

Why choose this opportunity?

• Gain hands-on experience in a SEND school
• Use your Occupational Therapy knowledge in a practical setting
• Learn from experienced education and SEND professionals
• Build your confidence working with children with additional needs
• Develop experience that can support your future career

Why Protocol Education?

• Weekly PAYE pay
• No umbrella companies
• FREE CPD Academy
• Dedicated consultant
• Local education opportunities
• SEND and mainstream experience
• Refer a Friend rewards

Ready to get started?

If you've recently graduated in Occupational Therapy and want a role where you can make a genuine difference, and start building your experience in a supportive Ferryhill school.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.