Band 7 Children’s Occupational Therapist, Russet House Special Needs School
Hrs: Part time, 15hrs/week.
Contract: Permanent
Job Overview
We are a dynamic, friendly OT team who report high levels of job satisfaction. We offer a professionally led service with direct support from an OT Clinical Lead Specialist, monthly in‑service team training, effective supervision and external training opportunities through the Trust.
An exciting opportunity has risen for a highly motivated Occupational Therapist who wishes to develop specialist skills in paediatrics within a supportive team. We are looking for a creative, friendly, and enthusiastic OT to join our established Children’s Team. We are located within easy commuter links from central London/Hertfordshire.
This is an OT post based at Russet House Special School. Russet House is a primary school for autistic children aged 3 to 11 with special educational needs. The role will include staff/parent training, class‑based provision and specialist individual work. You will also be providing OT support to Russet House School families in the school holidays.
* To work within the Russet House school OT team to develop and provide Occupational Therapy services for pupils who attend Russet House School (a maintained special school for autistic pupils, 3‑11 years) both at home and school.
* To provide high quality child‑centred, occupationally focused assessment and intervention to pupils and their families.
* To work with the OT team and school leadership to plan and develop the OT service into Russet House school, working at a universal, targeted and specialist level.
* To contribute to and lead on aspects of planning, coordinating, delivering and evaluating the Children’s Occupational Therapy Service, and on specified service improvements and quality initiatives within the team.
* To work as an autonomous practitioner with access to supervision.
* To supervise, appraise and train pupils and junior staff as required.
* To work effectively and flexibly within an interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and multi‑agency environment, including teachers, community providers, social workers, SLT, psychologists, dietitians, paediatricians, physiotherapists, and other professionals.
* To be flexible to the demands of the service in regard to location of work and area of clinical specialism.
* To manage a school caseload of young people with a range of needs, including those with complex disabilities, providing occupationally focused assessment and intervention.
* To work with the school and team to develop a high‑quality, evidence‑based service provision, including staff training and universal and targeted provision as well as specialist support.
* To provide both home and school‑based OT input to pupils, focusing on occupational areas of need and preparing pupils for adulthood.
* To set occupationally focused intervention goals with children and/or their parents/carers and schools that are child‑centred and agreed by all parties.
* To maintain high standards of clinical practice, evidence‑based and including outcome measures to monitor achievement of person‑centred goals and whole‑class approaches.
* To work alongside teaching staff to provide class‑based targeted intervention packages of care.
* To work within an occupational frame of reference.
* To analyse the interplay of child, environment and activity when assessing a child’s level of functioning and identifying appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance participation in self‑care, school and play/leisure.
* To devise and manage a specialised treatment plan tailored to a child’s presenting condition through interventions, school equipment provision (as appropriate), school and parental support & training, advice, strategies and programmes.
* To form productive relationships with parents/carers who may be under stress.
* To advise and teach parents/carers and school staff of children with additional needs on appropriate ongoing OT management programmes, and to develop integrated support plans with schools, multidisciplinary teams and external agencies to ensure effective management and best care for the child.
* To work as part of the core OT service in delivering training and workshop programmes to educational establishments to best help children achieve outcomes within inclusive facilities.
* To have the ability, knowledge and skills required for moving and handling children in school environments.
* To assess and manage clinical risk concerning the treatment of clients in own caseload and support junior staff to do the same (e.g. manual handling risk assessment, Trust lone‑working policy).
* To implement evidence‑based practice and manage clinical risk within a specific area of specialism, demonstrating clinical effectiveness through outcome measures and audits.
* To provide clinical support to junior staff and colleagues.
* To work within the standards and guidelines of the Children’s Occupational Therapy Service, the Trust, the British Association of Occupational Therapy (BAOT) and the Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC).
* To understand and apply national guidelines and legislation relating to health, education and social care in occupational therapy practice.
* To have a good working knowledge of the Code of Practice and educational care health plans.
* To be flexible to the demands of the environment, including unpredictable work patterns, deadlines and frequent interruptions.
* To complete other duties that may be delegated by senior staff.
This advert closes on Friday 29 May 2026.
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