Specialist Occupational Therapist

Hampshire County Council; Winchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

Hampshire County Council is recruiting a Specialist Occupational Therapist for our Education and Inclusion Therapy Service. You will conduct specialist assessments and deliver interventions in schools, homes, and educational settings, collaborating with families and multi-agency colleagues to overcome barriers to learning.

The role offers term-time focused, salary commensurate with NHS Band 7 levels, with hybrid working and support for professional development.

Qualifications

• HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist.
• Postgraduate qualification in Ayres Sensory Integration or equivalent.
• Proven experience working with children and young people with complex needs across settings.

Responsibilities

• Deliver specialist OT assessments and evidence-based interventions in educational settings and at home where appropriate.
• Collaborate with education staff, families and multi-agency professionals to develop and implement child-centred support plans.
• Contribute to EHCP assessments, reviews and reporting, including tribunal and care planning documentation.
• Provide supervision to OT colleagues and support capacity-building through training and consultation in schools/settings.
• Maintain accurate clinical records in line with professional standards.
• Participate in service development and quality improvement activities.
• Travel across Hampshire to deliver services predominantly within your geographical patch.

Skills

HCPC registration

Ayres Sensory Integration

Child-focused practice

Team collaboration

Education

HCPC registration

Postgraduate qualification in Ayres Sensory Integration

Job description

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Specialist Occupational Therapist

Job Reference: HCC624966
Salary Range: £50,564 - £56,219 pro rata, per annum (actual salary £44,554 - £50,197 per annum)
Work Location: Countywide, Hampshire (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 37 (part-time hours will be considered)
Contract Type: Permanent (term-time only)
Closing Date: 8 November 2026
Interview Date: 17 November 2026

The Role:

As a Specialist Occupational Therapist within our Education and Inclusion Therapy Service, you'll join a supportive and innovative team dedicated to improving outcomes for children and young people in educational settings. Working closely with schools, families and partner professionals, you'll deliver specialist assessments and interventions that help students overcome barriers to learning, develop independence and reach their full potential.

You'll contribute to EHCP provision, support staff development and provide expert advice across a range of specialist educational environments. This term-time only role offers the opportunity to work within a developing service in a high-performing local authority, combining autonomous clinical practice with strong professional support, excellent work-life balance and a salary broadly equivalent to NHS Band 7. There may also be opportunities to contribute to Hampshire Local Area Partnership's Experts at Hand offer, providing specialist therapeutic expertise across settings serving children and young people from early years through to post-16 and beyond.

What you’ll do:

• Deliver specialist occupational therapy assessments and evidence-based interventions for children and young people in educational settings and, where appropriate, at home.
• Work collaboratively with education staff, families and multi-agency professionals to develop and implement effective, child-centred support plans.
• Contribute to EHCP assessments, reviews and reporting, including tribunal and care planning documentation.
• Provide clinical and managerial supervision to Occupational Therapists in the team and support capacity-building through training, consultation and tailored programmes within schools and settings.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical records in line with professional standards.
• Participate in service development and quality improvement activities.
• Support whole-school communication strategies and contribute to policy development.
• Manage your own caseload effectively and travel across Hampshire to deliver services predominantly within your geographical patch of the county.

What we’re looking for:

• A professional recognised Occupational Therapy qualification with current HCPC registration, and a postgraduate qualification in Ayres Sensory Integration (or equivalent).
• Experience working as an Occupational Therapist with children and young people with complex needs across education, health, social care, community or hospital-based services.
• An understanding of how to encourage and support young people.
• Strong knowledge and practical experience of a Sensory integration treatment approach.
• Excellent assessment, clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills, with the ability and initiative to translate findings into effective interventions.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multi-agency team.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with a commitment to confidentiality, safeguarding and inclusive practice.

Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about the Specialist Occupational Therapist role, team and our values. The section ‘About you’ explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements and demonstrate our values, in your application.

• Be part of an innovative and evolving therapy service within a high-performing local authority, offering a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Benefit from a comprehensive induction programme and a strong CPD offer, including internal learning and access to external training.
• Receive tailored clinical supervision from a Specialist Occupational Therapist, alongside regular peer and safeguarding support.
• Enjoy opportunities for careers progression, a term-time only contract, and a healthy work-life balance supported by realistic caseloads and work assigned predominantly within your geographical location.
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• A competitive benefits package that includes generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more information here. .

Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date.

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK before applying.

Other roles you may have experience of may include: Occupational Therapist – Children and Young People, Senior Occupational Therapist (Children’s Services), Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist, Specialist Occupational Therapist – Education Settings, Education-Based Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapist – SEN / SEND Services, Children’s Occupational Therapist – Specialist Services.

Travel Requirements:

You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire, and it is essential that you have a current drivers’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.

The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.