NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non‑clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.
The Role
NHSGGC provides healthcare for all children, young people and families in the board area, and its CAMHS Occupational Therapy service sits within Specialist Children’s Services. The service supports a child and young person population of around 268,000 (ages 0–19) across Greater Glasgow and Clyde and currently has an establishment of 30.9 WTE staff.
Service Structure and Scope
* Occupational therapy is delivered across Tier 4 Hosted CAMHS Services, including inpatient units (Skye House and Ward 4) and Tier 4 hub teams such as forensic, learning disability and complex trauma.
* These teams provide specialist assessment, treatment and consultation to Tier 3 CAMHS teams.
* Referrals come from a wide range of professionals including MDTs, hospital consultants, GPs, community medical staff, education services and self‑referrals.
* Caseloads are dynamic and high‑demand, reflecting the complexity of the population served.
Core Responsibilities of the Occupational Therapy Service
* Provide a high‑quality, equitable OT service to children and young people across community and specialist settings.
* Work collaboratively with other clinical specialties to deliver effective, holistic care to children, young people and their families.
* Lead on and contribute to clinical governance, including service development, quality assurance and safe, evidence‑based practice.
Duration, Location, and Working Pattern
Fixed Term, Until 03/05/2027
Base location - Templeton Business Centre
Shift Pattern - Monday - Friday
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
Role
The role requires autonomous, accountable clinical practice with specialist expertise in occupational therapy for children and young people. Key elements include:
Clinical Practice and Assessment
* Maintain full professional and legal responsibility for all clinical decisions and patient management.
* Apply advanced theoretical and practical knowledge, including clinical governance, risk management, evidence‑based practice, audit and research.
* Use Care Aims methodology to manage risk and prioritise caseload.
* Provide specialist assessment for children and young people with a wide range of needs, including complex medical, educational and social care issues.
* Formulate and deliver occupational therapy interventions across settings such as home, school, respite and community environments.
* Contribute to multi‑professional assessments and make recommendations that influence other agencies and professionals.
Intervention, Communication and Collaboration
* Deliver treatment programmes and provide clear advice to children, young people, parents and carers.
* Offer specialist guidance on handling, management strategies and environmental adaptations.
* Communicate complex, sensitive or contentious information, often where there are barriers to understanding, requiring strong motivational and empathetic skills.
* Use a range of communication methods including non‑verbal strategies, sign language and communication aids.
* Liaise effectively with education, health and social care partners as part of a multidisciplinary team.
* Ensure smooth transitions between services, particularly from paediatric to adult care.
Specialist Contribution and Service Development
* Provide specialist advice, teaching and training to OTs, assistants, AHPs and wider health teams.
* Participate in research, audit and service evaluation to support continuous improvement.
* Contribute to diagnostic processes through specialist assessment findings.
* Apply national guidelines and legislation, including child protection standards.
* Prioritise and manage own caseload effectively.
* Select, use and teach safe use of clinical equipment.
Professional Conduct and Development
* Communicate complex ideas clearly, even in emotive or challenging situations.
* Maintain CPD and adhere to professional standards set by the College of Occupational Therapists.
* Evaluate practice through outcome measures, audit and clinical effectiveness activities.
* Deliver in‑service training and identify training needs within the team.
* Supervise OTs, support workers and students.
* Act as a specialist point of contact for team development.
Team and Service Management
* Oversee day‑to‑day operational management, including complaints, sickness/absence, performance issues and statutory training.
* Line manage staff and students, providing supervision, appraisal, recruitment support and professional development planning.
* Develop, implement and evaluate operational protocols and standards in collaboration with the Service Manager.
* Work with the Professional Lead OT to implement service developments.
* Lead team appraisal processes and support staff CPD planning.
Governance, Records and Safety
* Maintain accurate clinical records and documentation in line with NHS and professional standards.
* Produce reports and correspondence, ensuring compliance with data protection policies.
* Ensure adherence to Health & Safety legislation, infection control and universal precautions.
* Promote a safe working environment for self and others.
Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job
Education And Qualifications
* Current registration with the HCPC.
* Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy.
* Experience in paediatric OT or a related OT specialism at senior level.
* Professional knowledge gained through degree plus specialist courses or postgraduate diploma‑level study.
* Evidence of ongoing postgraduate education relevant to paediatrics.
Skills And Abilities
* Good presentation skills.
* Competent IT skills.
* Strong understanding of the OT role within current health services and national initiatives.
* Excellent time‑management and organisational skills.
* Ability to act confidently and assertively in professional situations.
* Willingness to participate in staff and student training.
* Ability to plan, prioritise and delegate workloads effectively.
* Highly developed communication skills for dealing with sensitive, conflicting or contentious issues.
* Ability to respond sensitively and professionally to unexpected clinical and non‑clinical situations.
* Capacity for moderate to intense physical effort on a frequent basis.
* Ability to work effectively in stressful environments requiring sustained concentration.
* Ability to cope with frequent exposure to body fluids, incontinence and head lice.
* Strong verbal and written English skills, including accurate record‑keeping.
* Ability to recognise and manage stress and workplace pressures.
Knowledge And Experience
* Experience managing other OT staff.
* Experience working within multidisciplinary teams with clear understanding of other roles.
* Specialist clinical knowledge relevant to paediatric OT.
* Research skills and experience.
* Previous experience teaching in a clinical setting.
* Experience supervising and educating students.
Professional Presentation
* Professional demeanour.
* Physically fit and able to meet NHSGGC manual handling requirements.
What We Offer
We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.
Benefits
* A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
* Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
* Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
* Development opportunities including study bursaries, e‑learning and classroom‑based courses
* Enhanced pay for working public holidays
* NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
* Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, we would love to hear from you.
For An Informal Discussion, Please Contact
Naomi Naismith, OT Care Group Lead – Naomi.naismith@nhs.scot – 0141 201 0808
Information for candidates
This post may close early due to the volume of response. Please submit your application form as soon as possible. Due to the volume of applications that we receive, we will not be able to provide shortlisting feedback.
AI tools guidance
* Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
* Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
* Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI‑generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.
Appointment and work hours change info
From 1 April 2026, the Agenda for Change full‑time working week will reduce from 37 hours to 36 hours. Part‑time working hours will be reduced on a pro‑rata basis. A corresponding increase in the hourly rate will apply, ensuring that overall pay remains unchanged.
Work‑life balance and flexible working options
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde recognises the importance of work‑life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full‑time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as "various", we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.
Equality and inclusion statement
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.
Armed Forces Covenant statement
By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.
Jobtrain Support Hub contact
For application portal or log‑in issues, please contact the Jobtrain Support Hub in the first instance.
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