Specialist Occupational Therapist

Instantimmo; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused organization in Greater Manchester is seeking an experienced Specialist Occupational Therapist to deliver a high-quality service in mainstream schools. The role involves direct therapy interventions, consultancy, and support for educators and families. The ideal candidate holds a degree in Occupational Therapy and is registered with the HCPC, with experience in supporting young people with complex needs. This is a permanent position for 22.5 hours per week during term time.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

Occupational sick pay

Cycle-to-work scheme

Wellness programs including yoga sessions

Qualifications

• Qualified Occupational Therapist with a relevant degree.
• Experience working with complex needs and in educational settings.
• Fit to work in the UK with current HCPC registration.

Responsibilities

• Manage a clinical caseload collaboratively with educators.
• Conduct assessments and provide interventions for students.
• Supervise junior colleagues and contribute to service development.

Skills

Experience in mainstream school settings

Working with young people with complex needs

Knowledge of learning disabilities

Safeguarding knowledge

Education

Degree in Occupational Therapy

Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists

Current registration with HCPC

Job description

Specialist Occupational Therapist - Specialist Children’s Services

Are you a passionate and experienced Specialist Occupational Therapist ready to take the next step in your career? Do you thrive in a collaborative, child-centred environment where your leadership can make a real difference?

Together we make a difference, develop and learn, and support each other. Every day with us is different, but our mission remains the same: To champion the rights, needs and ambitions of the people we support – they are at the heart of everything we do.

Alongside an incredible team of like-minded peers, you will be working behind the scenes to support our staff, volunteers, families, and supporters. You will be helping our work happens across the charity; enabling us to care for and champion the rights, needs and ambitions of the people we support.

• Location: Greater Manchester / Merseyside
• Hours: 22.5 hours per week, 41 weeks per year – Term Time
• Contract: Permanent
• Salary: £22,681.20 (prorated)

About the role

The purpose of the Specialist Occupational Therapist role is to ensure delivery of a high-quality OT service, primarily to mainstream schools, on an outreach basis. The postholder will be a skilled and experienced practitioner who can work autonomously to provide consultancy, training, advice, and direct therapy interventions for pupils and staff. The therapist will offer support to families and carers where necessary and will work within Together Trust processes to ensure interventions are evidence based and that professional guidelines are met.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently manage a clinical caseload of students across a number of schools, working in collaboration with teachers and class teams.
• Conduct assessments utilising clinical observation and judgement, combined with specialist theoretical knowledge, taking a holistic perspective of the students’ needs.
• Complete an annual appraisal, setting and agreeing targets linked to service development plan priorities with the line manager.
• Manage the appraisal and supervision of junior colleagues within the Occupational Therapy Team as appropriate.
• Act as a positive role model, treating people fairly, equitably and with dignity and respect to create and maintain a positive school culture.
• Monitor and evaluate risk within the workplace and provide support to team members to develop risk awareness.
• Participate in professional development, maintaining compliance with HCPC regulations for mandatory training and external training opportunities.
• Invest in Special Interest Groups and discussions relevant to practice.
• Contribute to service development in a clinical area and in line with departmental and operational needs.

About You

• Degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy.
• Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
• Current registration with the Health Care Professionals Council, fit to work in the UK.
• Experience of working in mainstream school settings.
• Experience of working with young people with complex needs, including autism spectrum conditions.
• Knowledge of learning disabilities and associated conditions.
• Knowledge of relevant safeguarding requirements and how to help young people with communication difficulties stay safe.

Benefits

• Generous pension scheme and death-in-service benefit, up to 7 % company pension contributions initially rising with length of service and up to 6 × basic salary death-in-service benefit.
• Occupational sick pay and family‑friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
• Reward and discount platform offering discounts at high‑street shops, travel, insurances etc.
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
• Eligibility to apply for Blue Light card.
• We are a real‑living‐wage employer.
• Refer a friend scheme – be rewarded for recommending a friend to work with us.
• Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including apprenticeship qualifications.
• Long service awards including cash gifts and extra holiday.
• Promotion of wellbeing across the organisation including Mental Health First Aiders and free weekly yoga sessions in person or online.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for you and adults in your home.

The Together Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we support and expects all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding checks will be undertaken for the successful candidate in line with our safer recruitment policy, including an Enhanced DBS check (at no cost to yourself). This role will involve regulated activity.

Applications are very welcome from all regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status or socio‑economic background. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments for disabled people and positively encourage applications from those with lived experience. If there is any part of your lived experience you want to keep confidential in some way, please talk to the Recruitment or HR shared service teams and we will do what we can to support you.