Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to join our dedicated, experienced and growing team of professionals as we embark on a journey of expansion.

Established in 2000, Caudwell Children aims to change people's lives, change the way society perceives and treats disabled and autistic people and change the way that charities operate, through the provision of child-centred practical and emotional services, passionate campaigning and demonstrating best practice. We believe in a world where disabled and autistic children have the choice, opportunity, dignity and understanding they deserve

#jointhechange and help us in our mission!

Our facilities provide a state-of-the-art base within the grounds of Keele University, Staffordshire, with the option of informal homeworking arrangements up to 40% of working week after passing probation.

POST OUTLINE

The Senior Occupational Therapist is a key leadership role within our Children's Occupational Therapy service. The postholder will:

Deliver high-quality, evidence-based occupational therapy to children with physical needs, medical conditions or neurodevelopmental differences. Provide clinical leadership and supervision to members of the OT team, ensuring consistent, safe and effective service delivery. Carry a personal caseload, while overseeing assessment, therapy, and clinical decision-making across the team. Contribute to service development, evaluation and innovation within the OT pathway and across the wider charity.
You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) that may include Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Learning Disability Nurses, Speech and Language Therapists, Paediatricians, Clinical Assistants, Assistant Psychologists and volunteers.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Pre-Assessment

Lead the screening and triage of referrals, allocating cases across the OT team. Review pre-assessment clinical information to guide next steps. Respond to enquiries from caregivers, referrers and professionals about the OT service. Promote the scope and value of the OT service internally and externally.

2. Assessment and Evaluation

Undertake specialist assessments (e.g. MABC, Beery VMI, Sensory Profile 2) to identify children's strengths and barriers to occupational performance. Analyse assessment findings and determine onward referral needs (e.g. risk of Developmental Coordination Disorder). Supervise, oversee and quality assure assessments and reports completed by team members. Provide clear strategies and recommendations to support children's daily occupations.

3. Intervention Planning and Delivery

Deliver skilled, evidence-based interventions including: Occupational Performance Coaching (caregiver focussed). Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP). Functional skills training. Ensure therapy is occupation-centred (top-down) unless clear clinical reasoning supports alternative approaches. Provide clinical supervision and oversight of therapy delivered by team members.

4. Collaboration and Communication

Support, advise and coach parents, caregivers, teachers and professionals on children's occupational performance needs. Communicate effectively across a wide range of media (reports, presentations, group sessions, video conferencing). Work collaboratively with MDT colleagues, service users and organisational teams.

5. Documentation and Reporting

Produce clear, well-reasoned clinical reports, including risk analysis relating to neurodevelopmental conditions. Provide quality assurance of team documentation and reports. Ensure accurate, timely recording of assessment, intervention and progress data. Support the development and refinement of the charity's clinical record system.

6. Professional Development

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of research, policy and best practice in paediatric OT. Engage in supervision, CPD and reflective practice. Contribute to OT service evaluation, audit and research projects. Support training placements for student OTs.

7. Leadership

Provide line management, clinical supervision and oversight of OT team members. Monitor and assure quality, safety and compliance with HCPC, RCOT and CQC standards. Lead on audits, outcome monitoring and service user feedback processes. Develop team rotas, approve leave requests, and ensure service cover. Support staff wellbeing, return-to-work processes, and CPD planning. Lead and contribute to service developments and cross-charity projects.

8. Customer Care and Quality Assurance

Involve children and families in service planning wherever possible. Uphold dignity, respect, equality and diversity in all service interactions. Promote opportunities for feedback and ensure complaints are addressed appropriately. Maintain confidentiality and compliance with GDPR and data protection regulations.

9. Health & Safety

Ensure compliance with organisational and statutory Health & Safety requirements. Conduct and oversee risk assessments, reporting and mitigating safety issues. Support safeguarding procedures and reporting in line with policy. Maintain professional appearance and safe use of equipment.

10. Resource Management

Support recruitment, induction and retention of OT team members. Ensure effective use and security of physical, financial and information resources. Monitor equipment stock levels and schedule use of therapy spaces. Oversee "working from home" arrangements to ensure appropriate service cover.

11. General

Adhere to professional standards (HCPC, RCOT) and maintain registration. Demonstrate commitment to Caudwell Children's mission, vision and values. Maintain professional portfolios and participate in appraisal processes. Uphold equality, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice. Work flexibly as required to support service delivery.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Criteria

Occupational Therapy degree or equivalent. Current HCPC registration. Substantial experience working with children and families in a clinical OT capacity. Strong understanding of neurodevelopmental conditions and medical needs. Excellent clinical reasoning, assessment and intervention skills. Knowledge of safeguarding, Children's Act 2004, and relevant legislation. Excellent teamworking, supervision and communication skills. Strong organisational, leadership and time management abilities. Flexibility, resilience and a positive, solution-focused approach. Commitment to equality, diversity, and the rights of children and families. Willingness and ability to travel as required.

Desirable Criteria

Membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. Postgraduate training or CPD in childhood disability. Experience of delivering formal training to professionals and families. Knowledge of NHS and Social Care structures and services. Proven experience in clinical supervision and quality assurance. Understanding of audit, service evaluation and evidence-based practice.

DISCLOSURE & BARRING SERVICE CHECKS

The Charity is committed to safeguarding children and young people and therefore adopts a safer recruitment approach through a robust recruitment and selection process. All posts within the Charity are subject to DBS checks, in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). This role is eligible for an enhanced DBS disclosure check.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Caudwell Children is a Disability Confident employer committed to offering an interview to all applicants who meet the minimum criteria and declare they have a disability as defined in the Equality Act 2010. We are committed to creating a diverse environment and will not discriminate for any reason against any person because of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex or sexual orientation. We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background and other underrepresented groups.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: 32,011.20-43,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 22.5 per week

Benefits:

Additional leave Bereavement leave Company events Company pension Employee discount Free parking Health & wellbeing programme Life insurance On-site parking Sick pay UK visa sponsorship Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Keele ST5 5NT