Occupational Therapist


Company:	NHS Jobs
Salary:	£58,133 to £65,261 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	London, N7 6LB
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	7 Oct 2026
Closing date:	20 Oct 2026

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Summary

CLINICAL Demonstrate highly specialist knowledge and skills in supporting children and young people with a range of complex developmental needs, including autism, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, developmental coordination disorder, sensory processing differences, social, emotional and mental health needs, and regulation or behavioural needs that may affect occupational participation and engagement. Manage a complex and specialist caseload autonomously, using advanced clinical reasoning to make decisions regarding assessment, intervention, prioritisation, onward referral and discharge, seeking support where appropriate. Demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills in selecting and implementing a range of evidence-informed occupational therapy approaches, including Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) and Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC). Apply specialist knowledge of sensory processing within holistic occupational therapy assessment and clinical reasoning, considering how a child or young persons sensory needs and preferences may influence occupational participation. Apply knowledge of medical conditions and their functional implications to inform clinical reasoning, intervention planning, and recommendations for appropriate strategies and adaptations within the child or young persons physical and social environments. Assess and observe children and young people across educational, home and clinic settings to identify barriers to participation, learning and engagement, and recommend appropriate environmental adaptations and reasonable adjustments. Work collaboratively with children and young people, families, education staff and other professionals to identify, implement and embed strategies and interventions, providing specialist advice, guidance and modelling of practical approaches to promote occupational participation, independence and engagement. Work in partnership with relevant professionals and agencies to support a coordinated, person-centred approach to meeting identified occupational needs and achieving agreed outcomes. Produce high-quality reports and specialist occupational therapy advice to inform EHCPs, including reviewing working documents and preparing evidence and reports for tribunal proceedings where required. Demonstrate strong assessment and clinical reasoning skills, selecting, applying and interpreting appropriate standardised and non-standardised assessments and outcome measures to identify occupational performance and participation needs and inform evidence-based intervention and recommendations. Work collaboratively with children and young people, families, schools and other professionals to identify meaningful goals, and use clinical reasoning to plan, implement, evaluate and modify individualised interventions to improve occupational performance and participation. Provide specialist clinical advice, supervision and support to junior occupational therapy staff, assistants and students, supporting clinical reasoning and the delivery of safe, effective and evidence-informed practice. Adhere to the RCOT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and relevant national, local and Trust policies, procedures and professional standards. Demonstrate a high level of professional judgement and the ability to identify, reflect on and respond to complex ethical issues, providing guidance to junior staff where appropriate. Demonstrate effective organisation, prioritisation and advanced clinical decision-making, analysing complex and sensitive situations and considering a range of options to determine appropriate action. Liaise with other agencies involved in the child or young persons care, including relatives/carers and education staff, as appropriate to the individual childs needs. Apply knowledge of moving and handling legislation, best practice and relevant equipment to assess risk and provide appropriate advice and recommendations for children and young people with physical needs. Contribute to the triage and prioritisation of referrals, applying clinical reasoning to support appropriate allocation and identification of the most appropriate service response. ADMINISTRATION Assist the Team Leader with the day-to-day coordination and running of the service as required. Maintain accurate and up-to-date clinical records and activity data in accordance with Trust policies and procedures. Demonstrate effective organisation and time management, managing competing priorities and demands appropriately. MANAGEMENT Attend and actively contribute to relevant team, departmental, project and Trust meetings, as required. Participate in and, where appropriate, lead clinical audits, service evaluation and quality improvement projects, using activity, outcome and other service data to monitor performance and support service development. Support the collection, analysis and reporting of service activity and outcome data to the Local Authority, Integrated Care Board and other relevant stakeholders, as required. Provide specialist clinical guidance and support to junior staff, including supporting clinical reasoning and the preparation of complex reports and statutory advice. Provide line management, supervision and performance support to designated members of staff in accordance with Trust policies and procedures. Support the Team Leader and Clinical Lead with the recruitment, induction and development of junior staff. Demonstrate leadership in supporting team members and coordinating the timely review and completion of occupational therapy advice for EHCP reviews. Contribute to the development, implementation and review of clinical guidance, pathways and practice standards, supporting the Trusts clinical governance and quality improvement agenda. Contribute to service planning and development, identifying opportunities to improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of occupational therapy provision. TEACHING, TRAINING and RESEARCH Participate in regular professional and operational supervision and annual appraisal with the Team Leader and/or Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist, using these opportunities to reflect on practice, performance and professional development. Develop and maintain an agreed area of specialist occupational therapy knowledge and expertise, acting as a clinical resource for the wider team and sharing specialist knowledge and evidence-informed practice. Take a lead, in collaboration with relevant colleagues, in the development and delivery of identified areas of the occupational therapy service offer. Critically appraise current research and evidence, apply relevant findings to clinical practice, and disseminate learning and evidence-informed practice within the team and wider service. Maintain ongoing professional development through participation in relevant internal and external learning opportunities, maintaining an up-to-date CPD portfolio in accordance with professional requirements. Participate in and contribute to the development and delivery of in-service training and other learning opportunities for occupational therapy staff and relevant colleagues. Complete all mandatory training and undertake relevant specialist training required to maintain and develop competence within the role. OTHER Work in a range of community environments, including schools and family homes, with occasional exposure to unpleasant conditions, including odours, bodily fluids and confined spaces. Frequently manage emotionally demanding and distressing situations involving children, young people and their families, including those relating to safeguarding and child protection concerns. Communicate complex and sensitive information relating to a child or young persons needs, assessment findings and occupational therapy recommendations, using empathy, reassurance and effective communication skills. Respond appropriately to emotionally challenging situations involving colleagues and provide support to staff who may be distressed, within the boundaries of the role. Travel regularly across the community to undertake work in schools, family homes and other relevant settings

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