Principal Therapist

National Autistic Society; Southall; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charity for autistic individuals in Southall seeks an experienced Principal Therapist to lead therapy provision at Sybil Elgar School. This role involves guiding a dedicated team, implementing evidence-based strategies, and working closely with families to enhance the educational experience for autistic children and young people. The ideal candidate will have a background in occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, or psychology, demonstrating a strong commitment to improving outcomes for those on the autism spectrum. The position offers a supportive working environment and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Auto-enrolled pension scheme

Excellent induction and training programme

Online staff discount scheme

Healthcare Cash Plan

Life Assurance

24-hour employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Experience working with autistic children and young people.
• Passion for supporting individuals to live the life they choose.
• Ability to drive therapeutic excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and drive therapy provision at Sybil Elgar School.
• Guide a dedicated team of therapists.
• Implement evidence-based strategies and work with families.

Skills

Patient

Good listener

Team player

Resilient

Innovative self-motivated

Adaptable

Education

OT, SLT or Practitioner Psychologist qualification

Job description

Location

Sybil Elgar School, Southall (Primary & Secondary)

Are you ready to lead, inspire, and make a lasting impact in an outstanding school for autistic children and young people? We are seeking a dynamic Principal Therapist to lead and drive our therapy provision and shape the future of autism practice and to jointly ensure that the pupils and students in our school receive high quality, sector‑leading education which incorporates a truly transdisciplinary approach. Our pupils and students have a complex profile of need, and this role places you at the heart of embedding therapy into daily classroom life to ensure every child and young person receives the tailored support they deserve.

As part of our Senior Leadership Team, you’ll 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, this is your chance to influence both local practice and national research, all while making a real difference in the day‑to‑day lives of autistic pupils and young people.

Who we are

The National Autistic Society is the UK’s leading charity for autistic people. Since 1962, we’ve been transforming lives, changing attitudes and helping to create a society that works for autistic adults and children. We transform lives by providing 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. Autistic people turn to us at key moments or challenging times in their lives, be it getting a diagnosis, going to school or finding work.

We change attitudes by improving public understanding of autism and the difficulties many autistic people face. We also work closely with businesses, local authorities and government to help them provide more autism‑friendly spaces, deliver better services and improve laws. We have come a long way, but it is not good enough. There is still so much to do to increase opportunities, reduce social isolation and build a brighter future for people on the spectrum. With your help, we can make it happen.

Sybil Elgar School is an outstanding specialist school for autistic children and young people aged 4 ½ to 22 years old. We have over 60 years’ experience in providing a holistic and personalised education within a caring and safe environment. Our creative approach and focus on independent life skills help every autistic child to learn and develop.

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 the Sybil Elgar 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
• Innovative self‑motivated, independent self‑starter, confident in engaging with all our stakeholders
• Individuals who value diversity, health and safety and are committed to safe working practice
• Adaptable to the dynamic working environment with capability to flexibly plan and change the workloads for the teams and self and able to embrace the wider activities as occurs

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
• Opportunities to network with other NAS Principal Therapists
• Clinical supervision as appropriate

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

Sybil Elgar School

About our application process

When providing a supporting statement, please refer to the job description and person specification and include any information that shows your suitability for the role.

For more information about this job please contact Paula Walker, Head of Therapy, at [e-mail]

We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Interviews will be held onsite on Tuesday 16th December 2025

For some roles, successful applicants will be required to complete the relevant safeguarding checks which will include additional references and criminal background checks.

Applications for this job are sought from anyone who is suitably qualified and experienced for the role but particularly welcome from those with a diagnosis of autism.

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.

We are an equal opportunities employer.

Please click here to view the safeguarding policy and please click here to view the policy and procedure for employment of ex‑offenders.