Paediatric Occupational Therapist

Recruit by Nature; Chilworth; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Induction & supervision

CPD & training opportunities

Pension scheme

Income protection

Death in service

Social events

Job summary

Recruit by Nature is seeking a Paediatric Occupational Therapist (Band 6/7) in Southampton, Hampshire. The role blends community visits, clinic work and home-based administration with options for three, four or five days per week.

You will support autistic and neurodivergent children, deliver assessments and interventions, and work within a supportive, neuro-affirming team with supervision and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Right to work in the UK; sponsorship not available.
• BSc degree in Occupational Therapy with HCPC registration and RCOT membership; DBS.
• Post-qualification paediatric OT experience suitable for Band 6/7.
• Experience with autistic/neurodivergent children; Sensory Integration training beneficial.
• Ability to assess functional needs and produce clear clinical reports.

Responsibilities

• Undertake standardised and functional OT assessments.
• Use clinical reasoning to plan interventions.
• Deliver therapy aligned with goals and environments.
• Produce clear clinical reports and recommendations.
• Collaborate with families, schools and professionals.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to support consistent approaches.
• Contribute to EHCP assessments and tribunal work when required.
• Manage caseload priorities, appointments, travel and administration.
• Advise on equipment and support others delivering interventions.

Skills

Clinical reasoning

Team collaboration

Diary management

Education

BSc Occupational Therapy

Tools

Driving licence

Job description

Paediatric Occupational Therapist - Band 6 / Band 7 - Southampton, Hampshire, SO15

Build your paediatric occupational therapy practice around meaningful work with children and young people, with options to work three, four or five days each week. This Paediatric Occupational Therapist - Band 6 / Band 7 position in Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 combines community visits, clinic work and home-based administration. It suits an experienced clinician who values neuro-affirming practice, diary autonomy and structured professional support.

Employment Type

Permanent, salaried employment, with full-time or part-time options. Term-time through year-round working arrangements are available, with a minimum of 38 working weeks per year. January 2027 is the preferred start, with the exact date to be agreed.

Salary

£39,959-£56,515 per annum full-time equivalent (FTE), depending on band, experience and clinical level; pro rata to agreed hours and working year, + benefits. This range spans the Band 6 and Band 7 pay points. Your appointment point will reflect your band, experience and clinical level; the upper figure is the top of the Band 7 range. Your individual salary will be pro rata to the agreed hours and working-year arrangement.

Benefits

• Structured three-month induction, with weekly supervision initially.
• Monthly CPD, e-learning and opportunities to learn through joint working.
• Ongoing training opportunities, including Sensory Integration and other relevant courses.
• Progression opportunities from Band 6 towards Band 7, subject to competence and agreement.
• Healthcare cash plan, subject to scheme eligibility and confirmation.
• Group income protection, subject to scheme eligibility and terms.
• Death-in-service benefit of four times basic salary, subject to scheme eligibility and terms.
• Opt-in salary-sacrifice pension.
• Quarterly team socials.
• Choice of three, four or five working days, with term-time through year-round options.
• Home-based report writing and administration alongside community and clinic work.

Working Hours & Shift Pattern

Permanent, full-time or part-time employment, with the working arrangement agreed individually. Community coverage includes Southampton, Winchester, Ringwood and surrounding Hampshire, with a clinic base in Crondall, GU10.

• Work three, four or five days per week, with a minimum commitment of 22.5 hours across at least three days.
• Choose from term-time through year-round arrangements, with at least 38 working weeks annually; holiday arrangements require confirmation.
• Manage your diary around visits to homes, schools and other community settings, with report writing and administration undertaken from home.
• Attend the clinic as required, with more frequent attendance during initial induction; the precise attendance pattern will be discussed.
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential. Caseload travel radius, mileage reimbursement, paid travel arrangements and exact full-time hours require confirmation.

Job Description

As a Paediatric Occupational Therapist - Band 6 / Band 7, you will deliver individualised assessment and intervention for children and young people aged approximately 2-25. The Southampton, SO15 recruitment location forms part of a wider community service, rather than a single-site clinic position.

You will support autistic and neurodivergent children and young people, including those with sensory needs, learning disabilities and other co-occurring needs. Assessment, clinical reasoning and practical intervention will inform recommendations that are useful to the young person, their family and the professionals around them.

This specialist allied health practice delivers private healthcare services across home, school, community and clinic environments. You will take ownership of your caseload and diary while collaborating with families, schools and multidisciplinary professionals. The balance of clinical work, reporting, EHCP contributions and tribunal-related work will depend on service requirements and the agreed caseload.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake standardised and functional occupational therapy assessments.
• Use clinical reasoning to identify needs and plan individualised interventions.
• Deliver therapy that reflects each child or young person's goals and everyday environments.
• Produce clear clinical reports, practical recommendations and accurate records.
• Work collaboratively with children, young people, parents, carers and school staff.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary professionals to support consistent approaches.
• Contribute to EHCP assessments, reports and tribunal work where required.
• Manage caseload priorities, appointments, travel and associated administration.
• Advise on appropriate equipment and support others involved in delivering agreed interventions.

Essential Requirements

• You must already have the right to work in the UK. Sponsorship is not available for this role.
• A BSc degree in Occupational Therapy, current HCPC registration, current RCOT membership and a valid DBS. Acceptance of an equivalent qualification and DBS recency requirements should be confirmed.
• Relevant post-qualification paediatric occupational therapy experience appropriate to Band 6 or Band 7 practice. The evidence expected at each level will be discussed during recruitment.
• Paediatric OT experience, including standardised assessment, relevant to a caseload that includes autistic and neurodivergent children and young people. Sensory Integration training is beneficial, not essential.
• The ability to assess functional needs, plan individualised interventions and produce clear clinical reports and recommendations.
• A collaborative, child-centred approach and clear communication with families, schools and professional colleagues.
• The ability to manage your caseload, diary and community travel, with a full driving licence and access to a vehicle for work.
• Also suitable for: Band 6 Paediatric Occupational Therapist, Band 7 Paediatric Occupational Therapist, Senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist.

Company Culture

As a Paediatric Occupational Therapist - Band 6 / Band 7, you will be part of a specialist practice that places children and young people's needs at the centre of clinical decisions. Neuro-affirming working and collaboration with families shape the service's approach. Weekly supervision during induction provides space to discuss clinical reasoning and settle into the caseload, while joint working and ongoing learning support professional development. Quarterly socials offer time to connect with colleagues beyond individual appointments.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so early interest is warmly encouraged.