Occupational Therapist - Therapeutic Education
Therapeutic Education is part of the Homes and Horizons project -- a ground breaking collaboration between the NHS, Social Care, Education and The Shaw Trust. Together, we deliver homes, therapeutic education, foster care, and trauma informed environments for some of Somerset's most complex young people.
Therapeutic Education is currently provided at Misterton Learning Centre, with a new Learning Centre opening in Wellington in 2026. Each site supports up to 15 young people with tailored education, therapeutic activities, and specialist interventions.
We are now recruiting a Band 6 Occupational Therapist to join our expanding multidisciplinary team. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape an emerging therapeutic service and contribute to trauma informed practice across our education sites and children's homes.
You will bring enthusiasm for working with young people presenting with neurodivergence, mental health needs and experiences rooted in early adversity. You will also be motivated to influence therapeutic culture, support systems development, and work as part of a creative, compassionate team that includes Clinical Psychology, Creative Therapies, Speech and Language Therapy and a Senior Occupational Therapist.
This is a rewarding opportunity to join an innovative, supportive and evolving service committed to improving outcomes for young people.
Main duties of the job
* Provide a specialist Occupational Therapy service across Therapeutic Education sites and Homes and Horizons children's homes.
* Undertake specialist OT assessment, formulation and intervention for young people with complex needs, including developmental trauma, neurodevelopmental differences and mental health difficulties.
* Offer consultation and guidance to education staff, CAMHS colleagues, foster carers and children's home teams.
* Promote trauma informed environments, sensory integration principles and meaningful daily activity.
* Contribute to a therapeutic curriculum alongside education colleagues.
* Provide group work, family focused interventions and individual therapeutic support where appropriate.
* Participate in multidisciplinary and multiagency planning, including safeguarding and risk management.
* Deliver training, reflective practice and joint working to support staff development.
* Maintain accurate, evidence based documentation and follow trust policies for clinical governance, safeguarding and data management.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
* Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
* NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
* Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
* A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
Deliver a broad Occupational Therapy service that includes sensory assessment, cognitive and behavioural approaches, functional skills development and therapeutic activity planning.
Manage a complex caseload using evidence based, client centred practice.
Complete observations in education settings, children's homes and family environments to inform holistic assessment.
Develop OT formulations and plans that support emotional regulation, daily functioning, independence and engagement in learning.
Facilitate individual or group interventions for young people and their families/carers.
Work collaboratively with parents and carers, offering advice and support through periods of distress or transition.
Provide specialist advice to other professionals regarding risk, mental health and occupational needs.
Contribute to the creation and maintenance of therapeutic, trauma informed environments.
Collaborative and Multi Agency Working
Work closely with CAMHS teams, education colleagues, children's social care and external agencies.
Attend MDT meetings, child protection meetings, reviews and multiagency planning forums.
Provide consultation, training and support for staff within education settings and children's homes.
Engage in joint working with a range of professionals to ensure integrated care for young people.
Service Development and Governance
Participate in the ongoing development and evaluation of the Therapeutic Education service.
Contribute to quality improvement projects, audits and policy development.
Support clinical governance processes and ensure adherence to trust policies and national standards.
Offer supervision and support to students or junior staff where appropriate.
Professional Responsibilities
Maintain HCPC registration and meet CPD requirements.
Follow all safeguarding legislation, Trust policies and procedures.
Manage time effectively, prioritising clinical need across multiple locations.
Keep accurate records and utilise electronic systems appropriately.
You will be supported by a team of clinicians including Clinical Psychology, Creative Therapists, Speech and Language Therapy, and a Senior Occupational Therapist.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Qualification in Occupational TherapyRegistered with HCPC as an Occupational Therapist
* Fully trained in Sensory Profile AssessmentsTraining in a specialist psychological therapy (such as CBT, DBT)
Experience
* Post-qualifying experience of working with children and young peopleAbility to contribute to multidisciplinary team planning through discussion and negotiationAbility to demonstrate diagnostic knowledge and application to planning intervention
* Experience of working within a mental health setting
Additional Criteria
* Sound understanding of national policies and procedures relevant to Mental Health and LDKnowledge of Inclusive CommunicationKnowledge and understanding of mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders in children and young people, and their impact on both the client group and their families/carers.Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service.
* Knowledge of a wide range of evidence-based treatment/therapeutic interventions.Knowledge and experience of risk assessment and risk management planning with high risk young people.
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.
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