Principal Therapist

National Autistic Society; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in the United Kingdom is seeking a Principal Therapist to enhance educational outcomes for autistic children. This role involves strategic leadership of the therapy team and implementing effective therapeutic interventions. The ideal candidate will be a self-motivated individual with strong engagement skills and a commitment to high-quality education. This permanent position offers a 35-hour work week with extensive benefits including training and healthcare support.

Benefits

Auto-enrolled pension scheme

Comprehensive induction and training

Discounts on various services

Cash plan for healthcare

Life Assurance

Flexible benefits options

24-hour Employee Assistance Programme

Free Headspace app for mindfulness

Eligibility for Blue Light Card discounts

Qualifications

• Self-motivated and independent self-starter.
• Confidence in engaging with stakeholders.
• Experience in providing high quality therapeutic interventions.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement effective therapeutic intervention within team budgets.
• Provide strategic leadership and management within the therapy team.
• Oversee assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic planning.

Skills

Leadership

Therapeutic planning

Innovation

Job description

To protect our autistic children at the National Autistic Society, all employees will be required to complete the relevant safeguarding checks which will include additional references and criminal background checks.

Join Us as a Principal Therapist

At the National Autistic Society, we offer many services to support autistic children and young people. We work to improve education, care, and experiences so they can reach their full potential.

About the School

Helen Allison School is a welcoming and inclusive independent National Autistic Society day school. We cater for children on the autism spectrum aged 5‑19 who have an Education, Health and Care plan. We are a small school that can take up to 83 pupils and on average has around 6 pupils per class.

Helen Allison School has been recognised with Beacon Status following Autism Accreditation and Good with Outstanding features from OFSTED.

About the Role

The Principal Therapist will hold accountability for therapy outcomes in our school. This role is jointly responsible for ensuring pupils in our school receive high quality, sector leading education which incorporates a truly transdisciplinary approach. The role will involve reporting detailed governance information to the Head of Therapy and supporting school senior leadership teams in making strategic, informed decisions.

What You’ll Do

• Plan and implement effective therapeutic intervention within team budgets
• Provide strategic leadership and management within the therapy team
• Oversee assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic planning

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a self‑motivated, independent self‑starter who is confident in engaging with all our stakeholders. We need someone who can drive innovation and quality, as well as significantly raise the profile of the work of Radlett Lodge school both within and outside the charity.

This role is a permanent contract (35 hours per week) with 12 weeks paid holiday a year, which must be taken within the existing school holidays for your school. This is to ensure our pupils receive the continuous support they require while at school.

What we can offer you

• Pension – Auto‑enrolled pension scheme.
• Training – Great induction and training, including autism training.
• Discounts – Online staff discount scheme for shopping, cycling, tech, and more (e.g., Asda, Tesco, Nike, Apple).
• Healthcare – Cash plan for permanent staff.
• Life Assurance – 2x your base salary.
• Flexible Benefits – Options like private health, dental insurance, car salary sacrifice scheme, holiday trading, enhanced pension.
• Support – 24‑hour Employee Assistance Programme and counselling.
• Mindfulness – Free Headspace app for you and up to 3 family/friends.
• Blue Light Card – Eligibility for discounts.

About our application process

When you write your supporting statement:

• Look at the job description and person specification.
• Tell us how your skills and experience match the role.

We are an equal opportunities employer and part of the Disability Confident Employer scheme.

The National Autistic Society is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and adults who use our services and as such expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to complete the relevant safeguarding checks.

Agencies need not apply.

Please note the National Autistic Society are unable to provide sponsorship for Visas.