Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a qualified Occupational Therapist to join our paediatric therapy team based at the Lighthouse Child Development Centre in Southend-on-Sea. We offer our employees the opportunity to develop into specialist paediatric therapists whilst working in an experienced and very supportive multi-agency team. The service will be operates using a tiered approach as recommended by RCOT for all children referred.
We are looking for a Band 6 Occupational therapists, full time and part-time hours will be considered.
We would also consider applicants looking for a band 5 to 6 development post.
You will be part of our established children's OT team and we are offering you the chance to learn the skills needed to work with the diverse range of conditions in children that a Paediatric Occupational Therapist may work with. The post is based at the Lighthouse Child Development Centre and will require you to drive to different schools and or home settings. You will be working closely with staff employed by education. You will receive extensive in-house training and ongoing direct senior support to enable you to carry out this job-role
Main duties of the job
Main duties of the job We offer:

• A supportive team of experienced clinicians and assistants with a varied skill mix.
• Development of expertise in the areas of management of children with a wide range of conditions including co-ordination difficulties, neuro-developmental problems and difficulties with sensory processing.
• The opportunity to develop presentation skills and multi-agency working with colleagues in education
• Opportunities to provide training to parents, education staff, colleagues and other professional
• The opportunity to start working using our newly introduced tiered approach which has been recommended by RCOT for all children referred to our service.
• Opportunities to develop your personal and clinical skills through a range of learning experiences specifically linked with your appraisal objectives and identified development needs including joint consultations and shadowing.
• Regular professional support, including an appraisals, supervision and continued professional development (CPD)

• Departmental in-service development programme as well as bi-monthly clinical effectiveness days
• Regular OT team meetings

About us
Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
• We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.

Benefits

• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
• Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• 8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
• Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.
• Work that wraps around your needs

• Work bank: You can use the opportunity to supplement your income and develop your skills by working bank shifts.
• Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Details
Date posted
11 November 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
38,682 to 46,580 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
364-A-9294-A
Job locations
Lighthouse Child Development Centre
Snakes Lane
Southend on Sea
SS2 6XT
Job description
Job responsibilities
Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• The post-holder will perform advanced occupational therapy assessments of patients with diverse presentations and complex physical and developmental conditions, to develop and deliver an individualised treatment plan, maintaining accurate patient records. As an autonomous practitioner, they will have responsibility for their own caseload and be responsible for a defined area of the service or a particular patient type, working without direct supervision.
• The post-holder will be responsible for supervising, educating and assessing the performance of Band 5 Occupational Therapists and 4 Therapy Assistants and students. They will be expected to contribute to evidence-based audit and research projects to further own and teams clinical practice, making recommendations to clinical lead/manager of service for changes to practice by the team.
• The post-holder will provide a specialist Occupational Therapy assessment, treatment and advice service for children with a variety of learning and physical disabilities and associated communication difficulties, who are referred to the service. This may include working within the Child Development Centres, mainstream and special schools and nurseries, and visits to other services such as the wheelchair clinic.
• The post-holder will provide therapy service as part of the multidisciplinary team, working with other health, education and social care professionals and to effectively manage own caseload. To provide specialist OT input in an area of specialism and contribute to the development of the OT service in an area of specialism.
• To assist the service in the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) tribunal cases as required, providing specialist and evidence based recommendations to meet the childs needs working in close collaboration with colleagues in physiotherapy and education.
• To provide workshops/ training packages to parents, children and young peoples workforce to build their confidence to assist the service user in self-management strategies.
• To supervise, train and performance manage junior and student occupational therapists in childrens services.
• To participate and contribute to the development, maintenance and evaluation of the Childrens Occupational Therapy Service.

Job description
Job responsibilities
Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• The post-holder will perform advanced occupational therapy assessments of patients with diverse presentations and complex physical and developmental conditions, to develop and deliver an individualised treatment plan, maintaining accurate patient records. As an autonomous practitioner, they will have responsibility for their own caseload and be responsible for a defined area of the service or a particular patient type, working without direct supervision.
• The post-holder will be responsible for supervising, educating and assessing the performance of Band 5 Occupational Therapists and 4 Therapy Assistants and students. They will be expected to contribute to evidence-based audit and research projects to further own and teams clinical practice, making recommendations to clinical lead/manager of service for changes to practice by the team.
• The post-holder will provide a specialist Occupational Therapy assessment, treatment and advice service for children with a variety of learning and physical disabilities and associated communication difficulties, who are referred to the service. This may include working within the Child Development Centres, mainstream and special schools and nurseries, and visits to other services such as the wheelchair clinic.
• The post-holder will provide therapy service as part of the multidisciplinary team, working with other health, education and social care professionals and to effectively manage own caseload. To provide specialist OT input in an area of specialism and contribute to the development of the OT service in an area of specialism.
• To assist the service in the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) tribunal cases as required, providing specialist and evidence based recommendations to meet the childs needs working in close collaboration with colleagues in physiotherapy and education.
• To provide workshops/ training packages to parents, children and young peoples workforce to build their confidence to assist the service user in self-management strategies.
• To supervise, train and performance manage junior and student occupational therapists in childrens services.
• To participate and contribute to the development, maintenance and evaluation of the Childrens Occupational Therapy Service.

Person Specification
Education
Essential

• Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Member of British Association of Occupational Therapists
• Registered with Health and Care Professions Council
• Full UK Driving License

Desirable

• Involvement in Special Interest Groups

Previous Experience
Essential

• Experience or understanding of the role of the Occupational Therapist in the Specialist area and the treatment interventions available
• 12 months plus experience as a Band 5 OT
• Experience of supervising Junior Staff, Students and/or Support Staff
• Experience of working as part of a rehabilitation and/or multi-disciplinary team

Desirable

• Student clinical supervision
• Clinical Educators course
• Knowledge of current national policies such as NICE relevant to role

Person Specification
Education
Essential

• Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Member of British Association of Occupational Therapists
• Registered with Health and Care Professions Council
• Full UK Driving License

Desirable

• Involvement in Special Interest Groups

Previous Experience
Essential

• Experience or understanding of the role of the Occupational Therapist in the Specialist area and the treatment interventions available
• 12 months plus experience as a Band 5 OT
• Experience of supervising Junior Staff, Students and/or Support Staff
• Experience of working as part of a rehabilitation and/or multi-disciplinary team

Desirable

• Student clinical supervision
• Clinical Educators course
• Knowledge of current national policies such as NICE relevant to role

Skills Required