Prior's Court is seeking an experienced Senior Occupational Therapist to join us on site in Hermitage. The successful candidate will manage a clinical caseload of autistic young people. They will also lead a team of Occupational Therapists whilst overseeing and implementing OT and sensory integration practices.
We are very proud to say that following our most recent Ofsted inspection, we have been graded 'Outstanding' in all five areas of inspection. The following comments were made relating to the onsite therapy teams -
1. The highly adept therapeutic input and patrol care that pupils receive here have a profoundly positive impact.
2. A sense of calm and focus pervades each classroom, and disruptions to learning are very rare. This is because staff, supported by the expert therapeutic and nursing team, create the optimal sensory, physical and communication environment.
Please Note: A full UK driving licence is required due to our location.
Key job information:
Salary: £40, 950 - £47,250 p/a pro-rata (dependant on qualifications and experience) Hours:
14 - 37.5 hours/2-5 days per week, 52 weeks per year
Contract type: Permanent
The role of Senior Occupational Therapist
Some of the day-to-day responsibilities include:-
3. To line manage the team of Occupational Therapists
4. Manage a caseload of autistic young people (YP) with complex needs, including assessment, implementation and review of therapy input to ensure progress.
5. To oversee support of apprenticeship training and management of OT/therapy assistants
6. Use clinical reasoning skills to analyse and interpret findings from both standardised and non-standardised assessments to identify a young person’s occupational strengths and needs.
7. Use of the therapy wave model (Specialist, Targeted, Universal) to manage and review caseload to ensure therapy input is meeting the young person’s needs.
8. Provide specialist intervention using evidence-based therapy approaches individualised to meet YP’s needs in the areas of (not an exhaustive list) emotional regulation, sensory processing, and/or fine/gross motor skills.
9. Contribution to the annual review process by providing high quality written reports, assessment, review of EHCP targets and attending annual review meetings (as appropriate).
10. Contribute and/or lead in the planning and delivering of training to develop the knowledge and skills of others in the areas of autism and occupational therapy.
11. Ensure adherence to HCPC standards (for conduct, performance, ethics, proficiency and continuing professional development) and relevant professional bodies (e.g., RCOT.) Take responsibility for keeping own knowledge and skills up to date by engaging in CPD activities.
12. Participate in the ordering, budget management and maintenance of OT specific equipment and resources.
13. Support the Head of Therapy to collect evidence of OT impact on young person outcomes – including assessment data, case studies and feedback from staff, parents/carers
14. Adhere to regular use of progress cycle and that progress of young people is communicated to all interested stakeholders (young people, parents/carers, staff, placing authorities).
15. Responsibility for line management and supervision of less experienced therapists and assistants, as deemed appropriate by the Therapy Lead.
Please see the for further details.
Qualifications
16. Experience working and managing caseload as a qualified
17. OTExperience of mentoring or coaching others
18. Professional qualification in Occupational Therapy (with HCPC registration)
19. Experience working with autistic young people and/or young people with additional needs and challenging behaviours
20. Level 1 qualification in Sensory Integration
21. Use of clinical reasoning skills for both assessment and intervention planning
22. Knowledge and experience of using a wide range of evidence based therapeutic approaches to meet the needs of autistic young people with complex needs
23. Ability to use assessment findings to develop therapy programmes
Desirable criteria:
24. Experience of managing a small team of people
25. Experience in delivering training
26. Experience in an education and/or residential care setting
27. Level 2 or above qualification in Sensory Integration
28. Member of Sensory Integration Network
29. Ability to implement, review and train others in delivering therapy programmes
Note: We are delighted to be able to fund both Level 2 and Level 3 Sensory Integration training, for anyone that currently holds a Level 1.
Benefits
We aim to make all staff feel valued and supported with training and a competitive salary along with providing the knowledge and skills needed to do a great job.
How to apply
Read through the application documents below, thento apply. The recruitment team will be in touch within three working days.
Please note: Once you've applied, you'll get an email with some follow-up questions. Please take a moment to answer them, otherwise we will not be able to process your application.
Application links: Policies:
Contact us about this role
t:01635 245928
e:
All positions at Prior's Court are subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, references and receipt of the appropriate Right to Work documents. Prior’s Court Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Prior’s Court is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and we actively seek and embrace differences in thinking, experience, ethnicity, age, gender, faith, personalities and styles.
The different skills, experiences and backgrounds our employees bring to their roles create a workforce as diverse and individual as the young people we support and makes Prior’s Court a special place to work.
We strive for an inclusive environment where employees feel safe, engaged and supported to make a difference.
Published: 14th August, 2024
Updated: 20th June, 2025
Author: Alfie Weatherhead
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