Principal Therapist

Helen Allison School; Hook Green; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An organization specializing in autism is seeking a passionate Principal Therapist to lead and enhance the therapy provision at their school. The role focuses on delivering tailored support to autistic pupils, driving therapeutic excellence, and collaborating with families and a team of therapists. Candidates should have relevant qualifications as an Occupational Therapist or Speech and Language Therapist, alongside a commitment to diversity and safety. The position offers a supportive work environment with opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Auto-enrolled pension scheme

Excellent induction and training

Online staff discount scheme

Healthcare Cash Plan

Life Assurance

Access to employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Passion to work with autistic children and young people.
• Capability to provide personal care when necessary.

Responsibilities

• Lead and drive the therapy provision at Helen Allison School.
• Guide a dedicated group of therapists and implement evidence-based strategies.
• Collaborate with families to strengthen parental engagement.

Skills

Patient and caring attitude

Good listening skills

Team player

Resilience to challenging behavior

Commitment to diversity and safety

Education

Experience as OT, SLT or Practitioner Psychologist

Job description

About Helen Allison School

Are you ready to lead, inspire, and make a lasting impact? At Helen Allison School we’re seeking a dynamic Principal Therapist to lead and drive our therapy provision and shape the future of autism practice. Our pupils have a complex profile of need, and this role places you at the heart of embedding therapy into daily classroom life so every child receives the tailored support they deserve. As part of our Senior Leadership Team you will guide a school‑based dedicated group of therapists, implement the latest evidence‑based strategies, and work together with families to strengthen parental engagement and create lifelong change across the family unit. With opportunities to contribute to curriculum development, collaborate with professionals, and connect with the wider NAS network you will influence both local practice and national research while making a real difference to the day‑to‑day lives of autistic pupils and their communities.

Who we are

The National Autistic Society is the UK’s leading charity for autistic people. Since 1962 we have been transforming lives, changing attitudes, and helping to create a society that works for autistic adults and children. We provide support, guidance and practical advice for the 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK, as well as their three million family members and carers. We change attitudes by improving public understanding of autism and the difficulties many autistic people face and work closely with businesses, local authorities and government to provide more autism‑friendly spaces, deliver better services and improve laws.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an experienced OT, SLT or Practitioner Psychologist who has a passion to work in an organisation that specialises in autism, supporting autistic children and young people to live the life they choose. This role is based in our school; the main part of your role will be to drive therapeutic excellence within Helen Allison School.

Your qualities

• Patient, inspiring, caring and sensitive towards the needs of vulnerable people
• Good listeners, able to report and record information accurately
• Team players, able to work independently with little support as required
• Resilient, able to work proactively with challenging behaviour
• Willing and able to provide personal care to individuals
• Individuals who value diversity, health and safety and are committed to safe working practice.

What we can offer you

• Auto‑enrolled pension scheme
• Excellent induction, training and development programme including training about autism and opportunities to attend our conferences
• Online staff discount scheme for a range of benefits (cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan, shopping discounts etc)
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Life Assurance
• A portfolio of salary sacrifice and other flexible benefits at reduced costs
• Access to a 24‑hour employee assistance programme & a Headspace App

This is a term‑time, permanent contract 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.

We are passionate about supporting autistic people into work, and particularly welcome applications from autistic people. We help autistic people from all backgrounds and strive to represent the same diversity in our staff and volunteers. We particularly encourage applications from people from all minority groups, who are currently under‑represented in our workforce. Together, we can create a society that works for autistic people.

Where you will be working

Helen Allison School