Occupational Therapy (OT) Assistant

Shorefields; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

New pay scales

Private healthcare

Professional development funding

Career progression

Job summary

Octavia House Schools is advertising for an Occupational Therapy Assistant to join the team at our Great Baddow site, with a flexible start from November 2026. The role is a full-time, 6-month fixed-term contract, with potential for extension and inter-site support at South Woodham.

You will support the delivery of occupational therapy provisions for pupils with SEMH and related needs, enabling active participation in learning and school-based activities.

Qualifications

• Qualified Occupational Therapy Assistant with registration.
• Experience supporting therapy for SEMH pupils is a plus.
• Ability to work in a specialist SEMH setting.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the therapeutic, relationships-first therapy offering; collaborate with classrooms and deliver effective therapy programmes.
• Support 1:1 and small-group interventions.
• Liaise with colleagues and external professionals.
• Develop clinical documentation skills and complete delegated clinical records.
• Support staff to embed regulation strategies, visual supports, movement opportunities and participation strategies.

Skills

Therapy delivery support

1:1 interventions

Team collaboration

Clinical documentation

Education

OT Assistant qualification

Professional registration

Job description

Job Ref No. ECC8816080-17S Position Type: Teaching/Child Support Pay Range: £27,000 - £32,000 (per annum, pro rata for 6-month

Position Start Date: 09/11/2026 Contract Type: Full-time Contract Term: Fixed

Application Close: 07/11/2026 Midnight Date of Interviews: Interviews taking place on a rolling basis

At Octavia House Schools, we have a passionate team delivering high-quality trauma-centred therapeutic education, supporting and building relationships with pupils who have adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and complex social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, as well as other associated special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

We provide a specialist educational setting, we proactively welcome enquiries from both experienced mainstream and specialist colleagues, from varying disciplines, who would like to extend their skill base.

We are pleased to announce that we are now advertising for an Occupational Therapy (OT) Assistant to join the team at primary site in Great Baddow, from November 2026 (start date is flexible). This is a fantastic opportunity for those looking to take the next step in their career and play a key role in shaping one of our schools

We are looking to appoint a professional to support the delivery of occupational therapy provision with OHS schools, enabling pupils with SEMH and associated additional needs to participate more successfully in learning, social interaction, self-care and other meaningful school-based occupations. The successful candidate will join our team on a full time basis on a 6 month fixed-term contract, with the potential to extend. You will be based at our Great Baddow (kS1-KS2) site, whilst also being flexible to provide support at our South Woodham site (KS3-KS4).

We welcome applications from specialist therapists, as well as colleagues from mainstream backgrounds who are interested in working within a nurturing, specialist SEMH setting. You will be supported by leaders at OHS with delivery and ongoing professional development, ensuring you are well equipped to meet the needs of our pupils.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensuring the seamless therapeutic, relationships-first, therapy offer is maintained; collaborating with colleagues in classrooms and offering effective therapy programmes
• Readily supporting 1:1 and small-group interventions
• Liaising with colleagues and external professional
• To develop appropriate clinical documentation skills and take responsibility for completing delegated clinical records
• Support staff to embed agreed regulation strategies, visual supports, movement opportunities and participation strategies

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT OHS:

• New, highly-competitive pay scales
• An opportunity to be part of a unique, seamless therapeutic team model.
• Vitality's private healthcare package which includes health, medical and dental insurance, lifestyle benefits, heavily-discounted gym membership and various rewards.
• Opportunities for high-quality professional development and career progression, and financial support of up to 100% towards relevant professional qualifications.

Early applications are encouraged.

We welcome candidates who are available to start from November 2026.

Information about the School

Our teachers and therapists 'work as one'. We are specialists in education and therapy for pupils who have suffered adverse childhood experiences. Our schools provide an ambitious curriculum, designed to give pupils the knowledge and 'cultural capital' they need to succeed in modern British society. As well as getting the therapy they need, pupils study a range of national curriculum subjects.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

Documents

Please be aware that some uploaded documents may require special software such as Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat Reader to view.

Lauren Walters
High Street, Great Baddow
Essex, CM2 7HH Telephone: [phone] opt 4
Email: [e-mail]