Job Overview
The Harrow Paediatric Occupational Therapy team is looking for a motivated, flexible and innovative therapist to work with children and young people in Harrow. This is a rotational role that will move through a variety of community paediatric areas, providing experience in pre‑school, mainstream schools and special schools.
About the Team
We are a friendly, dynamic and innovative team passionate about supporting children, young people and families in Harrow. We have an established internal training programme alongside regular opportunities for external training.
Our office is located on Alexandra Avenue, where there is a high level of integration and collaboration between health, education and social care services.
Key Responsibilities
* Communicate complex patient information effectively, ensuring collaborative working with multidisciplinary team members across health, education, social services and the voluntary sector, and working with teaching and medical staff to coordinate care, individual education plans and programmes, and facilitate development of physical skills.
* Share information with others while observing confidentiality and data protection guidelines and respecting local guidance on information sharing with colleagues in health, education, social services and the voluntary sector.
* Communicate complex condition‑related information, both verbally and in written form, from assessment to CYP, parents/carers and multidisciplinary team members. This includes child‑specific information and training packages to parents, teachers and other professionals regarding physical disability, sensory/perceptual and functional difficulties, with due regard for cultural and linguistic differences.
* Work closely with CYP, carers and families, involving them in decision‑making about intervention approaches, demonstrating empathy and ensuring effective communication, especially where barriers to understanding exist (e.g., communication difficulties, EAL and learning difficulties). Interpreters may be used.
* Employ excellent communication skills such as persuasion, motivation and explanation to encourage and reassure CYP and carers to undertake treatment programmes.
* Demonstrate negotiation skills in managing conflict across a range of situations.
* Form productive relationships with parents/carers who may be under stress or have challenging communication difficulties.
* Provide specialist clinical reports for CYP.
* Provide written advice for education and health care plans, describing the impact of the child’s difficulties on their learning environment.
Working for Our Organisation
* A large supportive, sociable and friendly MDT team of more than 60 therapists.
* Committed to the well‑being of our staff.
* Easily accessible via public transport from central London and neighbouring counties.
Benefits and Support
* Time to ensure access to regular and ongoing CPD.
* Opportunities for shadowing in a range of settings.
* Clearly structured caseloads and a prioritisation system.
* Highly structured induction.
* Access to clinical specialists in all areas.
* Flexible working.
* Regular and ongoing development therapy training and peer supervision.
* Opportunities to lead projects and working groups linked to specialist areas of interest.
Essential Qualifications
* Recognised Occupational Therapy Degree Qualification.
* UK Health Professional Council licence to practice.
* Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapy.
* Evidence of completion of specialist short courses relevant to children with special needs/disability (e.g., splinting, neurology, seating).
Desirable Qualifications
* Member of the CYPF RCOT specialist section.
Essential Experience
* Post‑graduate experience working in other clinical areas, paediatrics, neurology, orthopaedics, social care.
* Writing clinical notes and reports.
* Managing own caseload.
* Teaching other professionals/parents.
* Supporting assistants and OT students.
* Clinical audit experience.
Desirable Experience
* Experience working in the community.
* Experience working with children/young people and their families.
Essential Skills and Knowledge
* Well‑established knowledge of assessment tools and appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to the Occupational Therapy process.
* Well‑established knowledge of specialist aids, equipment and seating systems available, including wheelchairs, seating and assistive technology.
* Working knowledge of the roles of other professionals in health, education and social care.
* Understanding and application of standards of record keeping and reporting.
* Working knowledge of clinical governance and audit.
Desirable Skills and Knowledge
* Working knowledge of occupational therapy in the education system.
* Working knowledge of national policies and procedures in particular safeguarding children, SEN and disability act, SEN reforms, Children and Families Act, National Service framework for children, the children’s bill, foundation stage and National curriculum.
Essential Qualities
* Excellent organisational skills.
* Ability to communicate effectively with children and young people of all ages and abilities.
* Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy.
* Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal (English).
* Negotiation and problem‑solving skills.
* Ability to work in an unpredictable environment and prioritise own and others’ workload.
* Good analytical and reflection skills.
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