Occupational Therapist (OT)
Location: East London
Salary: £44,101 – £49,447 per annum
Contract: Permanent, Full-time (Term-time plus 2 weeks)
Reporting to: Therapy Lead
The Role
Our client is seeking a skilled and compassionate Occupational Therapist (OT) to join their therapeutic education team.
This role focuses on delivering specialist occupational therapy assessments and interventions to children and young people with complex needs, including neurodiversity, trauma, and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) challenges. The successful candidate will support pupils who require additional input to engage in learning and work towards increased independence and participation in structured education.
The position involves working across both a nurturing primary setting and community-based environments, supporting children who may struggle to access traditional education due to anxiety, trauma, or complex needs.
The Occupational Therapist will work collaboratively with Therapeutic Education Practitioners, teaching staff, families, and a wider multi-disciplinary team to create supportive, therapeutic learning environments and deliver meaningful outcomes for each young person.
Key Responsibilities
The Occupational Therapist will:
* Deliver specialist occupational therapy assessments, interventions, and reports
* Support pupils with complex sensory and functional needs to engage in learning
* Develop personalised sensory strategies, including sensory passports
* Design and implement interventions to support independence and daily living skills
* Provide tailored sensory programmes to reduce anxiety and improve regulation
* Work collaboratively with education and clinical teams to support pupil progress
* Contribute to multi-disciplinary assessments, planning, and risk management
* Deliver training, advice, and consultation to staff on OT strategies
* Engage pupils through creative, therapeutic, and meaningful activities
* Monitor progress and evaluate outcomes using appropriate measures
* Maintain accurate, GDPR-compliant records and documentation
* Liaise effectively with parents/carers, external professionals, and agencies
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will be a dedicated and proactive therapist with experience supporting children and young people with complex needs.
Essential requirements:
* Recognised Occupational Therapy qualification
* Registration with the HCPC
* Experience working with children and young people with complex needs, including SEMH and/or autism
* Experience of multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working
Key skills and attributes:
* Strong understanding of sensory processing and occupational needs
* Ability to manage a varied caseload independently
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
* A creative and flexible approach to intervention delivery
* Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities
* Confidence working in complex and high-risk environments
About the Organisation
Our client is an independent provider of specialist therapeutic education based in London. They support neurodiverse children and young people aged 7 to 19 with special educational needs and disabilities, including autism and social, emotional, and mental health needs.
Many of the young people they work with have experienced disrupted education and significant challenges. Their approach focuses on delivering personalised, holistic programmes that support each individual’s development, engagement, and long-term outcomes.
Their model is underpinned by a strong therapeutic framework, emphasising relationships, emotional development, and inclusive, strengths-based practice.
What’s on Offer
* A supportive and collaborative multi-disciplinary environment
* Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
* A rewarding role with meaningful impact on young people’s lives
* A varied position where no two days are the same
Safeguarding Statement
Our client is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment and adhere to safeguarding policies and procedures.
About us:
SENCare Recruitment provides Special Educational Needs (SEN) professionals for SEN schools, mainstream schools, residential care homes and 1-1 home support through local authorities, across the UK. We can offer short/long term placements on a temporary and permanent basis for specialist SEN teachers, teaching assistants, support workers, social workers, VI/HI practitioners and mid-day meal supervisors.
If you feel this would be the ideal vacancy for you, then please apply below or contact our team direct and ask for John Stokes @ SENCare Recruitment.
SENCare Recruitment is fully committed to the safety and welfare of children, and by applying for this vacancy, you are consenting to SENCare Recruitment Ltd storing your personal details in line with the new GDPR regulations