Senior Occupational Therapist

NHS; Rugeley; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a Senior Occupational Therapist dedicated to improving the lives of children with neurodevelopmental conditions. In this role, you will assess referrals, implement treatment plans, and work alongside a multidisciplinary team. A degree in Occupational Therapy and registration with HCPC are essential, along with experience in autism-related support. Join us in a supportive environment that offers training and flexible working arrangements, making a real impact in young lives.

Benefits

Ongoing training opportunities

Flexible working arrangements

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Experience working with children with neurodevelopmental conditions.
• Experience supporting children, young people, families, and carers.
• Significant experience of leading clinical audit in specialism.

Responsibilities

• Assess new service user referrals and support needs.
• Implement and adjust programmes of care and intervention.
• Supervise junior staff and contribute to their education.

Skills

Communication skills

Child support

Team collaboration

Education

Degree in Occupational Therapy or equivalent

Registration with HCPC

Trained in ADOS and ADIR

Job description

Senior Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 16 February 2026

Are you passionate and dedicated about supporting children's neurodevelopment and making a real difference in young lives?

We are recruiting a Children and Young People's Senior Occupational Therapist to join our multidisciplinary team within the NHS. This exciting role working within our established autism service and our new developing neurodevelopmental pathway and service.

You will have experience working with children with neurodevelopmental conditions, and possess strong communication skills with children, families, and professionals.

You will work within an established multi-disciplinary team working alongside a Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychologists, Nurses and AHP professionals. You will have access to ongoing professional development and training opportunities. Supporting our staff is very important to us and we offer staff supervision both clinically and managerially on a regular basis, promoting staff wellbeing.

Flexible working arrangements can be considered.

Join us and be part of a supportive and experienced team dedicated to improving children and young people's health and wellbeing.

Main duties of the job

• To assess new service user referrals and support needs. Assess CYP and formulate, develop, implement and evaluate programmes of treatment/support for children, young people, families & carers. Take lead in specialist area and provide advice and support to others. The specialist care/support plans may include:
  • Independence/self‑management and maintaining safety
  • Increased functional ability
  • Improvement in health and wellbeing including mental health
  • Interventions in condition management
  • Prevention and reducing of health inequalities
• To use specialist knowledge and judgement to take into account the range of support packages and treatment options available. To consider the personal circumstances and preferences of children, young people and families in order to implement and adjust programmes of care and intervention.
• To maintain and develop skills and knowledge to deliver a range of interventions and set an example of good practice to other team members including skill sharing. Provides teaching/training in specialist area to the wider workforce as required.
• To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of the children, young people, families and their carers offering reassurance and empathy, in particular when imparting potentially distressing information. This may be in regard to the nature/prognosis of their condition/situation and implications of the same including managing any conflict that may arise.

About us

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non‑clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Job responsibilities

In the role you will be responsible for providing the Occupational Therapy assessment and interventions to children and young people with Autism, under the supervision of the Band 7 Occupational Therapist in the team. The post holder will supervise junior staff and students for specific pieces of work and contribute to their education.

Please see the attached Job Description for further information, if you require any further information regarding this vacancy, please contact us on 0300 303 0691.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree in Occupational Therapy or equivalent
• Registration with HCPC
• Trained in ADOS and ADIR and experience of undertaking these assessments

Experience

• Experience working with CYP with a diagnosis of autism
• Experience supporting CYP, families and carers in dealing with the impact of functional impairment
• Working in a multidisciplinary team
• Significant experience of supporting children, young people, families and carers in promoting health and well being
• Experience of leading clinical audit in specialism.

Knowledge

• Evidence of specialist clinical knowledge relevant to the post

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust