Senior Occupational Therapist – Term Time Only (Full-Time)
Location: Chigwell, Essex
Salary: £52,042 – £59,741 (term time only, not subject to pro-rata)
Contract Type: Permanent | Full-Time (37 hours/week), Term Time Only
Are you an experienced and passionate Occupational Therapist ready to take the next step in your career? We’re looking for a Senior Occupational Therapist to join our specialist team at a high-quality independent school that supports children and young pupils with a primary diagnosis of autism or with clear evidence of being on the autism pathway.
About the Role:
As the Senior Occupational Therapist, you’ll play a pivotal role in delivering and developing outstanding therapeutic provision within a warm and nurturing school environment. Working closely with education and clinical colleagues, you will lead on the planning and delivery of individualised, evidence-based occupational therapy for pupils with autism and associated needs.
This is a full-time, term-time only position—but unlike many school-based roles, the salary is not pro rata, meaning you’ll receive the full listed salary while benefiting from school holiday time off.
About the School:
The school is an independent specialist day school for children aged 5–16. Located in Chigwell. The school provides tailored education for pupils with a primary diagnosis of autism or those clearly identified as being on the autism pathway. The school environment is supportive, structured, and specifically designed to meet the complex needs of its learners.
Key Responsibilities:
* Deliver and oversee high-quality occupational therapy assessments and interventions
* Provide clinical leadership, supervision, and support to junior therapy staff
* Work collaboratively with teaching staff, families, and other professionals to support pupil progress
* Contribute to whole-school strategies, sensory regulation plans, and EHCP reviews
* Promote and model best practice in autism-informed, therapeutic approaches
About You:
* HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist with significant post-qualification experience
* Previous experience working with children and young people with autism and/or complex needs
* Confident in leading and mentoring colleagues
* Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills
* Committed to delivering therapy that empowers young people and promotes independence
What We Offer:
* A competitive salary of £52,042 – £59,741 (not pro-rata)
* Full-time, term-time working with school holidays off
* Supportive, multidisciplinary team environment
* Ongoing professional development and clinical supervision
* The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and their families
If you’re ready to take on a leadership role in a setting where your expertise will be truly valued, we’d love to hear from you.