Regional Occupational Therapist

Compass Schools; Stottesdon; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Compass Schools is recruiting a Regional Occupational Therapist to deliver high‑quality OT assessments, interventions and training across our educational and residential settings in the Kidderminster region. You will collaborate with SENDCo, SLT, education and care teams, families and external professionals to support regulation, participation and independence for children with complex needs.

You will work within a trauma‑informed, neurodiversity‑affirming framework, travel across the region,

Qualifications

• Degree or Master’s qualification in Occupational Therapy recognised by the HCPC.
• Current HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist.
• RCOT membership is desirable.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Undertake specialist OT assessments using standardised and non-standardised tools.
• Plan, implement and evaluate intervention programmes to promote participation and independence.
• Collaborate with education, residential teams and external agencies to support EHCPs and care plans.
• Provide specialist OT advice to support environmental adaptations and training.
• Maintain clinical governance, documentation and safeguarding responsibilities.

Skills

Clinical knowledge

Autonomous working

Time management

Communication skills

Education

Degree/Master's in Occupational Therapy

HCPC registration

RCOT membership

Tools

Full UK driving licence

Job description

About The Role

About Us

We are a network of independent specialist schools and residential homes dedicated to supporting children and young people with complex learning, emotional, sensory, social, and developmental needs. Our therapeutic and inclusive environments are designed to promote safety, regulation, engagement, and meaningful participation, enabling each child to achieve their individual potential.

As part of an exciting national therapeutic initiative, we are expanding our multidisciplinary clinical teams and are seeking passionate and skilled Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists to help shape and deliver this innovative model of integrated support.

We are currently recruiting for a Regional Occupational Therapist to support children and young people across our educational and residential settings within the Kidderminster region.

Job Overview

As a Regional Occupational Therapist, you will provide high-quality, evidence-informed Occupational Therapy assessment, intervention, consultation, and training for children and young people presenting with complex sensory, emotional, developmental, functional, and social participation needs.

You will work collaboratively with the Regional SENDCo, Regional Speech and Language Therapist, education and residential care teams, families, and external professionals to support children’s regulation, participation, independence, emotional wellbeing, and engagement within learning and daily living environments.

The role requires a trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming, and relational approach to practice, recognising the impact of developmental trauma, attachment disruption, and adverse childhood experiences on sensory processing, regulation, participation, motor development, and occupational performance.

This is a full-time role with 6 weeks annual leave and includes travel across the designated region. The position combines direct clinical work, multidisciplinary collaboration, staff consultation, and opportunities for flexible/home working. Travel expenses are provided.

This is a community roleyou will be covering Vicarage school and home, plus Newton and Ashtree homes . you will be managed centrally (therapeutic services) and work directly with the homes and schools to deliver training, assessments, observations and reviews.

You will work across three residential homes and one specialist school within the region.

Key Responsibilities

Assessment and Clinical Formulation

Undertake specialist, holistic Occupational Therapy assessments of children and young people’s sensory, functional, motor, emotional regulation, and occupational participation needs, using standardised and non-standardised assessment tools, clinical observation, environmental assessment, and multidisciplinary information gathering.

Areas assessed may include:

• Sensory processing and sensory integration needs
• Fine and gross motor skills
• Functional independence skills
• Emotional regulation and self-regulation
• Activities of daily living (ADLs)
• Play, engagement, and occupational participation
• Executive functioning skills
• Environmental accessibility and sensory barriers

Develop clinically informed formulations that consider:

• Developmental trauma
• Attachment and relational needs
• Neurodivergence
• Sensory processing differences
• Cognitive, emotional, physical, and environmental factors impacting participation and independence

Therapeutic Intervention

Plan, implement, and evaluate individualised, evidence-informed intervention programmes that promote participation, emotional regulation, independence, functional skill development, and engagement across educational, residential, and community settings.

Use a range of therapeutic approaches tailored to individual strengths and needs, supporting:

• Sensory regulation
• Occupational participation
• Functional independence
• Motor skill development
• Emotional regulation and co-regulation
• Self-advocacy and confidence
• Access to sensory-supportive environments

Provide recommendations for environmental adaptations, sensory strategies, and therapeutic supports to enable children and young people to access meaningful activities and routines safely and successfully.

Multidisciplinary and Collaborative Working

Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, including education staff, residential care teams, Speech and Language Therapists, Psychologists, Social Workers, and external agencies, to ensure integrated and child-centred support planning.

Provide specialist Occupational Therapy advice and recommendations to contribute to:

• Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
• Behaviour and support plans
• Sensory profiles
• Risk assessments
• Therapeutic care planning
• Environmental adaptations and provision planning

Contribute to the development of sensory-aware, regulation-supportive, and trauma-informed environments across all settings.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

Monitor, evaluate, and document intervention outcomes using measurable goals and functional outcomes, adapting therapeutic approaches in response to children’s changing needs.

Produce high-quality clinical documentation, reports, and recommendations in line with HCPC, Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), organisational, and statutory requirements.

Parent, Carer and Staff Support

Provide consultation, coaching, and practical strategies to parents, carers, and staff teams to support the generalisation of therapeutic strategies within everyday activities, routines, and environments.

Support adults to develop confidence in using sensory-informed, relational, and regulation-supportive approaches to care and interaction.

Training and Workforce Development

Deliver training and consultation to education and residential teams in areas including:

• Sensory processing and sensory regulation
• Trauma-informed practice
• Neurodiversity-affirming approaches
• Emotional regulation and co-regulation
• Functional independence skills
• Environmental adaptation and accessibility
• Occupational participation
• Therapeutic and sensory-supportive environments

Clinical Governance and Professional Practice

Maintain accurate, confidential, and contemporaneous clinical records in accordance with HCPC standards, RCOT guidance, GDPR, and organisational policies.

Manage and prioritise a complex regional caseload effectively, demonstrating autonomous clinical reasoning, professional judgement, and reflective practice.

Engage in supervision, continuing professional development (CPD), service development, and quality improvement activity to ensure safe and effective practice.

Work within professional scope of practice and maintain accountability for clinical decision-making.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

Maintain a thorough understanding of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities, recognising that safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people is paramount.

Identify, record, and report safeguarding concerns appropriately in line with organisational and statutory procedures.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Degree or Master’s qualification in Occupational Therapy recognised by the HCPC
• Current HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist
• Membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT)
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle

Desirable Experience

Experience working with children and young people presenting with:

• Developmental trauma and attachment differences
• Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
• Sensory processing differences
• Learning disabilities
• Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs
• Functional and emotional regulation difficulties

Experience within:

• Specialist education settings
• Residential care environments
• Multidisciplinary and therapeutic teams
• Trauma-informed services

Knowledge and experience of:

• Sensory integration theory and practice
• Occupational performance models
• Neurodevelopmental differences
• Functional and environmental adaptations
• Regulation-based and strengths-focused approaches

Skills and Attributes

• Strong clinical knowledge of child development, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and occupational performance
• Ability to apply evidence-informed therapeutic approaches within functional environments
• Excellent clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively across multiple sites
• Effective caseload and time management skills
• Compassionate, relational, and child-centred approach to practice
• Understanding of the impact of trauma, attachment, and neurodivergence on participation, regulation, and independence
• Commitment to reflective practice and ongoing professional development

Professional Standards for All Employees

All employees are expected to:

• Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, accountability, and ethical practice at all times
• Maintain high standards of attendance, conduct, presentation, and punctuality
• Treat all children, families, colleagues, and professionals with dignity, empathy, and respect
• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion, and anti-discriminatory practice
• Act in accordance with safeguarding responsibilities, professional codes of conduct, and organisational policies
• Promote the wellbeing, rights, and voice of children and young people at all times

• The Values Awards

  At Compass, our strength comes from the values we live by every day – Integrity, Care and Courage. These aren’t just words that we put on our website or on a poster; they’re visible in the actions you take to support children, families and each other, often in ways that go unseen.

  That’s why we are launching the Compass Values Awards, to spotlight actions that embody Integrity, Care or Courage across all parts of our community.

  Read on to learn about how it works, what a nomination in each category looks like, and which teams fall within each service.