Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist Health/ EHCP
Due to maternity leave, Hertfordshires Children and Young Peoples (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
* Professional supervision through Action Learning Sets
* Personal development planning & access to training to develop your CPD, leadership & management skills
* Structured induction period
About us
Were delighted that youre exploring a career with HCT. As an organisation, were committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and rewarding work environment -- one where youll 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 Programmeoffering 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
* Enhanced sick payabove statutory entitlements
We celebrate diversity and actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds, ages, and communities to apply.
Youve taken a fantastic first step by considering HCT. Were excited about the possibility of welcoming you to our team and taking the next step in your journey with us.
Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description for more information about this role.
You will be joining a well-established, supportive team of therapists and assistants. CYP Therapies at HCT pride ourselves on the support we provide to staff. As a Highly Specialist OT you will have the opportunity to facilitate professional supervision groups and provide managerial supervision to less experienced colleagues.
The OT service is innovative and agile, and committed to delivering high quality care and transforming lives. The service is embedding health coaching and top-down models in to its care pathways, and is actively encouraging CPD to help develop these skills, and as part of your role youwill support the Clinical Quality Lead for OT in developing clinical pathways that are evidence-based.
Successful candidates will be enthusiastic and motivated. Advanced communication, clinical reasoning and organisational skills are essential. You must be a team player but be able to work autonomously and have the ability to champion the needs of children and young people.
Dont Miss Out
If theres high interest in this fixed term role, we may close applications earlier than the advertised deadline so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
You will need a full valid driving licence, and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (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.
Interview date has been set for 21st October 2025
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
* 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
* 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
* 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
* Computer literate including use of Excel spreadsheets, databases and PowerPoint
* Ability to work for long periods whilst maintaining concentration
Other requirements
* 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.
Peace Childrens Centre (Watford) and Danestrete Health Centre (Stevenage)
£47,810 to £54,710 a yearper annum (pro rata)
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
9 months
Working pattern
Full-time,Part-time
Reference number
Job locations
Peace Childrens Centre (Watford) and Danestrete Health Centre (Stevenage)
J-18808-Ljbffr