Job Description

Due to maternity leave, Hertfordshire's Children and Young People's (CYP) Occupational Therapy Service are looking for a dynamic and motivated Occupational Therapist (OT) to do a fixed term post for 9 months. Our service has dedicated specialist Band 7 posts to support CYP with health/occupational performance needs and we are looking for an experienced OT who has relevant skills, training and experience in supporting CYP who have functional difficulties which impact on their participation of activities in daily life.



This 1 WTE post is made up of community sessions in the Watford area and sessions within a special school in Stevenage, Lonsdale School.



You will be part of a friendly and supportive integrated therapies team (CYP Therapies), delivering a locally driven, needs led service; ensuring children and their families are at the heart of service delivery.



Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust provides Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Services for families across the county. Our service is jointly commissioned by health and education, allowing us to provide a seamless pathway of care from early years through to schools, specialist provisions and further education settings.

You will:

Be a qualified Occupational Therapist with HCPC registration



Have highly specialist knowledge & skills in working with CYP & their families/carers, who have a range of developmental, neurological and health conditions



Deliver occupational therapy assessments and evidence-based interventions to CYP in a variety of settings, e.g. mainstream and specialist provisions



Provide clinical support to a team of health professionals



Maintain strong links to professionals working in health, social care, Education and the Voluntary Sector



Work collaboratively with members of the wider OT team in your locality area, and support more junior colleagues

We offer:

A friendly team & a great place to work



Regular managerial supervision and mentoring



A well-established Appraisal system



Professional supervision through Action Learning Sets



Personal development planning & access to training to develop your CPD, leadership & management skills



Structured induction period



We're delighted that you're exploring a career with HCT. As an organisation, we're committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and rewarding work environment -- one where you'll feel valued and empowered to make a real difference.



At HCT, we put patients, their families, and carers at the heart of everything we do. Our vision is simple yet powerful: Outstanding Services and Healthier Communities . Our dedicated staff take pride in being Innovative, Caring, and Agile , working together to turn this vision into reality.



Working with us comes with a host of benefits designed to support your wellbeing and work-life balance:



Generous annual leave (27 days rising to 33 with long service)

Flexible working arrangements to help balance personal and professional life, including up to 5 days of carers leave (pro rata)

Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 confidential support for personal or work-related issues

Cycle to Work and Car Lease Schemes to make your commute healthier or easier

Blue Light Card and NHS Discounts

Health and wellbeing support , including free flu jabs, Physiotherapy referrals, eye care vouchers

Occupational Pension Scheme

Enhanced sick pay above statutory entitlements



We celebrate diversity and actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds, ages, and communities to apply.



You've taken a fantastic first step by considering HCT. We're excited about the possibility of welcoming you to our team and taking the next step in your journey with us.



Please see attached job description for more information about this role.



You will be joining a well-established, supportive team of therapists and assistants. CYP Therapies at HCT pride ourselves on the support we provide to staff. As a Highly Specialist OT you will have the opportunity to facilitate professional supervision groups and provide managerial supervision to less experienced colleagues.



The OT service is innovative and agile, and committed to delivering high quality care and transforming lives. The service is embedding health coaching and top-down models in to it's care pathways, and is actively encouraging CPD to help develop these skills, and as part of your role you will support the Clinical Quality Lead for OT in developing clinical pathways that are evidence-based.



Successful candidates will be enthusiastic and motivated. Advanced communication, clinical reasoning and organisational skills are essential. You must be a team player but be able to work autonomously and have the ability to champion the needs of children and young people.



Don't Miss Out



If there's high interest in this fixed term role, we may close applications earlier than the advertised deadline -- so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.



You will need a full valid driving licence, and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).



In addition to the basic salary, this post attracts a High Cost Area Supplement of 5% of basic salary subject to a minimum payment of 1,303 and a maximum payment of 2,198 per annum (pro rata where applicable and dependent on base location).



Applications for full time and part time work will be considered.



Word versions of documents are available if needed to allow for any adaptations to be made i.e. font, colour, background, convert to Read Aloud.



Whilst it is not a legal requirement, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust encourages and supports all its' staff to be vaccinated as this remains the best line of defence against COVID-19.



HCT has been voted one of the top 100 NHS trusts to work for in the country. We are an Armed Forces-friendly organisation and a menopause accredited employer.



If you have any questions about this role, please do not hesitate to contact Liesl Salters Brown, Clinical Quality Lead for Children's OT on 07825 929688.



Interview date has been set for 21st October 2025