Due to additional investment, we have an exciting new innovative 3- tiered Sensory Processing Service to support neurodivergent children and young people (CYP).
This is an exciting time for Hertfordshire as we grow our support offer to provide specialist services to meet the sensory processing needs of CYP. As a team we are aligned to the Children and Young People’s Specialist Services Directorate and work closely with our CYP Integrated Therapies Services and system partners including voluntary sector organisations, mental health services, social care and education.
We are looking for a band 6 Occupational Therapist (or we can offer this post as a band 5-6 progression) who has the relevant training in sensory integration and/or experience in supporting CYP who have sensory processing difficulties which impact on their participation in activities of daily life. You will contribute to the development of clinical pathways.
The sensory processing model is designed with universal, targeted and specialist tiers to assist families and educational settings in implementing strategies to support participation in activities of daily life.
You will be part of a friendly and supportive integrated team delivering a locally driven, needs led service; ensuring children and their families are at the heart of service delivery.
HCT provides both internal and external CPD to support staff in developing and maintaining competencies.
*Proposed interview date: 04-Sep-2025*
Main duties of the job
The post-holder will provide clinical support to a team of health professionals (Occupational Therapists, Therapy Assistants, Positive Behaviour Analysts). The service will have strong links to the Community Paediatricians, Public Health Nursing, Education and Voluntary Sector
The ideal candidate will:
* Have knowledge and skills in working with sensory processing differences in neurodivergent CYP and their families/carers
* Have postgraduate training in sensory integration or a willingness to undertake training
* Maintain a high degree of professionalism when working in highly emotive atmospheres
* Demonstrate positive and effective communication with others
* Be flexible in their approach and have resilience under pressure
We can offer you
* A friendly team and a great place to work
* Regular line-management and professional supervision
* Personal development planning and opportunities for continuing professional development
* Access to training to further develop your skills both internally within HCT and linking with universities for more formal qualifications
* Mentoring and coaching
* Regular clinical supervision
* Structured induction period
Applicants will require professional registration with a statutory body.
Working for our organisation
A big thank you for considering joining us at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
You’ll find it a great place to work with many benefits offered to you as a member of our staff
We put our patients, their families and carers at the centre of our vision - Outstanding Services and Healthier Communities
Our staff are proud to be Innovative, Caring and Agile in their work to help achieve the Trust vision
We welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from all backgrounds and ages
We don’t want you to miss out so we’d like you to know that if we have a high level of interest in this role, the vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date, so please make your application as soon as possible - Apply now.
You’ve made a great decision to apply to join to HCT - we’re looking forward to taking the next steps of the journey with you.
From a Sensory team member:
I enjoy working in the Children’s Sensory Service as sensory processing is an area of practice which interests and inspires me. We are able to work with children and families and make a difference in their daily lives. As it is a new service, this has provided me with the opportunity for learning and growth in a supportive environment. The team are friendly and happy which makes coming to work even more enjoyable. If you love sensory, this is the right job for you
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This permanent position is based in Hertfordshire, we have a number of bases including Watford, St Albans, Welwyn Garden City and Stevenage and can be flexible with your choice of base. The successful candidate is expected to work across locations in Hertfordshire to meet service needs and demands. The service supports hybrid working based on service needs.
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)
Please see attached job description and person specification for more information about this role.
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.
For an informal conversation please contact Mayuri Dave, Clinical Quality Lead for Children’s Specialist Services on mayuri.dave@nhs.net.
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.
Person specification
Experience and knowledge
* Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy
* Registered and compliant with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
* Awareness of typical child development
* Knowledge of Children’s Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions related to working with children and an understanding of the theoretical framework underpinning these.
* The ability to analyse assessment results to formulate treatment plans, including the use of “SMART” targets, recommend suitable equipment, taking into consideration client, social and environmental factors.
* Good multi-disciplinary/agency working skills
* Involves patients in decision making around their care and treatment planning and ensure that the care provided is safe
* Understands the remit of the role, what is required of them and able to make decisions within their role in a timely manner.
* Demonstrable experience of working in the NHS and/or Local Authority or community settings
* Understanding of the Special Educational Needs Assessment process related to supporting children within special and mainstream schools and contributing to their Education, Health and Care Plans.
* Work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and the service users.
* Experience or participation in presentation and teaching to staff team and other groups including parents and carers.
* Experience of working collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team both within and outside of the NHS
We will communicate any interview arrangements with applicants via e-mail so it is advisable that you check the email address you give on your application on a regular basis.
Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band. All new appointments (excluding Medical & Dental roles) are subject to a 26 week probation period.
We are proud to be an armed forces friendly employer and support the employment of the armed forces community, including veterans, spouses and partners. For more information, contact hct.armedforcesrecruitment@nhs.net
Applications from qualified job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications, subject to you meeting minimum criteria of the role and salary threshold. Please visit the Gov.UK website for detail.
If applicable to the role, staff are required to hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use with business insurance (unless the member of staff has a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).
In submitting an application form, you authorise Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Electronic Staff Record Inter Authority Transfer process should you be appointed to the post.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
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