Join to apply for the Senior Occupational Therapist role at Caudwell Children.
We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to join our dedicated team as we embark on a journey of expansion. The Senior Occupational Therapist is a key leadership role within our Children’s Occupational Therapy service. The postholder will:
* Deliver high-quality, evidence-based occupational therapy to children with physical needs, medical conditions or neurodevelopmental differences.
* Provide clinical leadership and supervision to members of the OT team, ensuring consistent, safe and effective service delivery.
* Carry a personal caseload, while overseeing assessment, therapy, and clinical decision-making across the team.
* Contribute to service development, evaluation and innovation within the OT pathway and across the wider charity.
You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) that may include Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Learning Disability Nurses, Speech and Language Therapists, Paediatricians, Clinical Assistants, Assistant Psychologists and volunteers.
About Caudwell Children
Caudwell Children aims to change people’s lives, change the way society perceives and treats disabled and autistic people and change the way that charities operate, through the provision of child-centred practical and emotional services, passionate campaigning and demonstrating best practice. We believe in a world where disabled and autistic children have the choice, opportunity, dignity and understanding they deserve. Our facilities provide a state-of-the-art base within the grounds of Keele University, Staffordshire, with the option of informal homeworking arrangements (up to 2 days a week from home) after passing probation.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
* Pre-Assessment: Lead screening and triage of referrals, allocate cases across the OT team; review pre-assessment clinical information to guide next steps; respond to enquiries about the OT service; promote the scope and value of the OT service internally and externally.
* Assessment & Evaluation: Undertake specialist assessments (e.g. MABC, Beery VMI, Sensory Profile 2) to identify children’s strengths and barriers to occupational performance; analyse assessment findings and determine onward referral needs; supervise, oversee and quality assure assessments and reports completed by team members; provide clear strategies and recommendations to support children’s daily occupations.
* Intervention Planning & Delivery: Deliver skilled, evidence-based interventions including Occupational Performance Coaching (caregiver-focused), CO-OP, and functional skills training; ensure therapy is occupation-centred unless clinical reasoning supports alternatives; provide clinical supervision and oversight of therapy delivered by team members.
* Collaboration & Communication: Support, advise and coach parents, caregivers, teachers and professionals on children’s occupational performance needs; communicate across reports, presentations, group sessions, and video conferencing; work with MDT colleagues, service users and organisational teams.
* Documentation & Reporting: Produce clear, well-reasoned clinical reports including risk analysis; quality assure team documentation; ensure accurate, timely recording of assessment, intervention and progress data; support development of the charity’s clinical record system.
* Professional Development: Maintain up-to-date knowledge of research, policy and best practice in paediatric OT; engage in supervision, CPD and reflective practice; contribute to OT service evaluation, audit and research projects; support training placements for student OTs.
* Leadership: Provide line management, clinical supervision and oversight of OT team members; monitor and assure quality, safety and compliance with HCPC, RCOT and CQC standards; lead audits, outcome monitoring and service user feedback processes; develop team rotas, approve leave, and ensure service cover; support staff wellbeing and CPD planning; lead and contribute to service developments and cross-charity projects.
* Customer Care and Quality Assurance: Involve children and families in service planning; uphold dignity, equality and diversity; promote feedback opportunities and address complaints appropriately; maintain confidentiality and GDPR compliance.
* Health & Safety: Ensure compliance with health and safety requirements; conduct risk assessments and report and mitigate safety issues; support safeguarding procedures and reporting; maintain professional appearance and safe use of equipment.
* Resource Management: Support recruitment, induction and retention of OT team members; ensure effective use and security of resources; monitor equipment stock and therapy space usage; oversee working-from-home arrangements to ensure service cover.
* General: Adhere to professional standards (HCPC, RCOT) and maintain registration; demonstrate commitment to Caudwell Children’s mission, values and anti-discriminatory practice; maintain professional portfolios and participate in appraisal; work flexibly to support service delivery.
Essential Criteria
* Occupational Therapy degree or equivalent.
* Current HCPC registration.
* Substantial experience working with children and families in a clinical OT capacity.
* Strong understanding of neurodevelopmental conditions and medical needs.
* Excellent clinical reasoning, assessment and intervention skills.
* Knowledge of safeguarding, Children’s Act 2004, and relevant legislation.
* Excellent teamworking, supervision and communication skills.
* Strong organisational, leadership and time management abilities.
* Flexibility, resilience and a positive, solution-focused approach.
* Commitment to equality, diversity, and the rights of children and families.
* Willingness and ability to travel as required.
Desirable Criteria
* Membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
* Postgraduate training or CPD in childhood disability.
* Experience of delivering formal training to professionals and families.
* Knowledge of NHS and Social Care structures and services.
* Proven experience in clinical supervision and quality assurance.
* Understanding of audit, service evaluation and evidence-based practice.
This Job Description is not exhaustive. The post holder may be required to carry out any other task as deemed appropriate for the level and responsibilities of the post.
Disclosure & Barring Service checks
The Charity is committed to safeguarding children and young people and adopts a safer recruitment approach through a robust recruitment and selection process. All posts within the Charity are subject to DBS checks, in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). This role is eligible for an enhanced DBS disclosure check.
Equal Opportunities
Caudwell Children is a Disability Confident employer committed to offering an interview to all applicants who meet the minimum criteria and declare they have a disability as defined in the Equality Act 2010. We are committed to creating a diverse environment and will not discriminate for any reason against any person because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background and other underrepresented groups.
Location: Caudwell International Children’s Centre (CICC). Informal homeworking arrangements available up to 40% of working week.
Salary: Competitive depending on qualifications and experience
Hours: Part – Time (Up to 22.5hours per week)
Job Description: Download full job description and specification here
Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
Employment type: Internship
Job function: Health Care Provider; Industries: Non-profit Organization Management
#J-18808-Ljbffr