Job summary
Due to maternity leave, Hertfordshire's Children and Young People's (CYP) Occupational Therapy Service are looking for a dynamic and motivated Occupational Therapist (OT) to do a fixed term post for 9 months. Our service has dedicated specialist Band 7 posts to support CYP with health/occupational performance needs and we are looking for an experienced OT who has relevant skills, training and experience in supporting CYP who have functional difficulties which impact on their participation of activities in daily life.
This 1 WTE post is made up of community sessions in the Watford area and sessions within a special school in Stevenage, Lonsdale School.
You will be part of a friendly and supportive integrated therapies team (CYP Therapies), delivering a locally driven, needs led service; ensuring children and their families are at the heart of service delivery.
Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust provides Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Services for families across the county. Our service is jointly commissioned by health and education, allowing us to provide a seamless pathway of care from early years through to schools, specialist provisions and further education settings.
Main duties of the job
You will:
* Be a qualified Occupational Therapist with HCPC registration
* Have highly specialist knowledge & skills in working with CYP & their families/carers, who have a range of developmental, neurological and health conditions
* Deliver occupational therapy assessments and evidence-based interventions to CYP in a variety of settings, e.g. mainstream and specialist provisions
* Provide clinical support to a team of health professionals
* Maintain strong links to professionals working in health, social care, Education and the Voluntary Sector
* Work collaboratively with members of the wider OT team in your locality area, and support more junior colleagues
We offer
* A friendly team & a great place to work
* Regular managerial supervision and mentoring
* A well-established Appraisal system
* Professional supervision through Action Learning Sets
* Personal development planning & access to training to develop your CPD, leadership & management skills
* Structured induction period
About us
We're delighted that you're exploring a career with HCT. As an organisation, we're committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and rewarding work environment -- one where you'll feel valued and empowered to make a real difference.
At HCT, we put patients, their families, and carers at the heart of everything we do. Our vision is simple yet powerful: Outstanding Services and Healthier Communities. Our dedicated staff take pride in being Innovative, Caring, and Agile, working together to turn this vision into reality.
Working with us comes with a host of benefits designed to support your wellbeing and work-life balance:
* Generous annual leave(27 days rising to 33 with long service)
* Flexible working arrangementsto help balance personal and professional life, including up to 5 days of carers leave (pro rata)
* Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 confidential support for personal or work-related issues
* Cycle to Work and Car Lease Schemesto make your commute healthier or easier
* Blue Light Card and NHS Discounts
* Health and wellbeing support, including free flu jabs, Physiotherapy referrals, eye care vouchers
* Occupational Pension Scheme
* Enhanced sick payabove statutory entitlements
We celebrate diversity and actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds, ages, and communities to apply.
Job responsibilities
You will need a full valid driving licence, and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).
In addition to the basic salary, this post attracts a High Cost Area Supplement of 5% of basic salary subject to a minimum payment of £1,303 and a maximum payment of £2,198 per annum (pro rata where applicable and dependent on base location).
Applications for full time and part time work will be considered.
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.
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.
If you have any questions about this role, please do not hesitate to contact Liesl Salters Brown, Clinical Quality Lead for Childrens OT on 07825 929688.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training Essential
* Highly specialist knowledge acquired through degree or equivalent qualifications, in sensory integration theory and assessment
* Continued Professional Development evidenced by attendance at specialist postgraduate courses to maintain and develop own specialist knowledge and expertise.
* Recognised OT Qualification leading to registration with HCPC
* HCPC Licence to Practice
* Registered member of British Association of OT
* Supervision/Clinical Educators Course attendance
Experience and Knowledge Essential
* Working knowledge of electronic patient record system
* Knowledge of current safeguarding procedures
* Evidence of involvement in service policy development in area of specialism
* Experience of working with different professional disciplines and agencies
* Experience of clinical supervision to wide range of staff in area of specialism
* Knowledge of NHS, Education and social care policy and directives where these impact on area of specialism or service delivery
* Evidence of delivering training in area of specialism
* High level clinical skills including assessment and provision of equipment
* Experience of advising/providing second opinions
Skills and abilities Essential
* Excellent communication skills both oral and written, including the ability to liaise and negotiate
* Knowledge of barriers to understanding & ability to explain complex issues simply.
* Ability to establish positive relationships and mutual respect with people at all levels
* Able to analyse and interpret complex data
* Effective problem solving skills
* Computer literate including use of Excel spreadsheets, databases and PowerPoint
* Ability to work for long periods whilst maintaining concentration
Other requirements Essential
* Eligible to live and work in the UK
* Hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010)
* Experience and evidence of engagement around equality, diversity and inclusion issues in relation to policy, service development and service delivery in respect of both services to users and the management of staff
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit https://www.ukvisasandimmigration.gov.uk.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see https://www.nhs.uk/careers.
Employer details
Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
Peace Children's Centre (Watford) and Danestrete Health Centre (Stevenage)
Peace Prospect
Watford
WD17 3EW
Website: https://www.hct.nhs.uk
Job details
Date posted: 28 November 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum (pro rata)
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 9 months
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: 812-25-KWCYP41-C
Job locations: Peace Children's Centre (Watford) and Danestrete Health Centre (Stevenage)
Interview date
16 December 2025
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