South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Specialist Occupational Therapist (Children's)
The closing date is 06 May 2026
Due to increased investment, we have a new Post to support children and young people with sensory differences.
This role will improve the quality of life for children and young people (CYP) across South Tyneside and Sunderland. It will be responsible for the roll‑out of a Sensory programme across South Tyneside and Sunderland, focusing on early identification and meeting need earlier to prevent escalation of needs and behaviours.
The role will support young people to develop effective sensory strategies to provide them with the best possible learning experience and outcomes, alongside enabling carers and education providers to increase their knowledge, confidence and understanding in this complex area. It will also include undertaking direct assessments and providing interventions for children experiencing challenges or barriers to participation and engagement in learning primarily due to sensory or motor difficulties.
You will be a key part of our Children’s Occupational Therapy Team and will be well supported by the OT team to develop your skills and access CPD. You will work within our Children’s Integrated Therapy service alongside Speech and Language Therapists and Physiotherapists.
Main duties of the job
* Provide specialist OT advice with an emphasis on supporting children with sensory differences and difficulties.
* Develop and implement resources and provide strategies to be implemented within school/home settings.
* Provide effective and appropriate delivery of specialist training sessions to education staff and carers relating to the management and understanding of sensory difficulties.
* Provide strategies and advice to enable CYP to engage more effectively in education and support education providers to consider any environmental adjustments.
* Support regular monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of the role, service delivery and the interventions it provides using clear statistical and documented outcome measures.
* Work across South Tyneside and Sunderland in clinic, home and education settings.
* Be motivated to support children to achieve their best outcomes and have experience of team working.
* Join a team of OTs working together to develop services and improve outcomes for children.
* Be part of a wider Therapies Directorate and part of a Trust that is keen to develop and support staff through supervision and CPD.
* Work innovatively to take the agenda for Children’s OT forward in line with national and clinical drivers.
About us
We welcome all applications irrespective of race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under‑represented groups. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture and working environment.
Person Specification
Skills
* Demonstrate skills in specialist assessment, diagnosis and development of care plans for clients with highly complex needs.
* Ability to assess for, and identify, equipment needs.
* Communicate highly complex and sensitive condition‑related information to clients, carers, multidisciplinary team members and other professionals, often in the face of hostility and/or antagonism.
* Good interpersonal and communication skills including observational, listening and empathy skills.
* Proven organisational and planning skills.
* Ability to influence, motivate and facilitate development in others.
* Time‑management and prioritisation skills; ability to work to deadlines such as the EHCP process.
* Evidence of leadership skills and ability to be a successful team member.
* Skill in complex information processing, analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options at service and clinical levels.
* Contribute successfully to clinical teams for development of client care.
* Introduce innovative practice impacting policy and service beyond own area of activity within the organisation.
* Develop negotiation and problem‑solving skills within complex situations and facilitate these skills in others.
* Assimilate, synthesise and present complex information requiring analysis, interpretation and comparison at service and clinical levels.
Knowledge
* Knowledge of child development and paediatric conditions.
* Knowledge of approaches for supporting children with autism.
* Knowledge of current guidelines and best practice for supporting children with sensory differences and difficulties.
* Knowledge of specialist assessment tools relevant to paediatric occupational therapy.
* Knowledge of appropriate therapeutic assessments and interventions and ability to compare and contrast relative benefits.
* Knowledge of safeguarding issues.
* Knowledge of the structure and functioning of the NHS and how the Trust fits into the wider picture.
* Knowledge of clinical governance, audit and research principles.
* Understanding of the roles of other professionals and partnership working with key stakeholders.
* Knowledge of standards of record keeping and ability to monitor and audit in own team.
* Knowledge of national and local policies and procedures relevant to health, social services and education and areas of responsibility.
Qualifications
* Degree in Occupational Therapy.
* Evidence of extensive CPD and up‑to‑date knowledge within paediatrics achieved through post‑graduate, specialist and advanced short courses.
* Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
* Completed, or working toward, RCOT‑accredited Sensory Integration Level 1 to 3 training.
* Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
* Attendance at management and leadership training, including short courses on a range of management and HR issues.
Experience
* Experience within paediatric occupational therapy incorporating a range of specialisms within paediatric occupational therapy.
* Experience of completing sensory profiles with children and other informal sensory‑based assessments.
* Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team.
* Experience of working with children and their families in a therapeutic environment.
* Awareness of relevant standardised formal and informal assessments and therapy approaches for client groups within this specialist service area.
* Experience supervising all levels of qualified occupational therapy staff, assistants and students.
* Experience designing and delivering training and education programmes to other professionals, students and parents.
* Training and experience in staff and student supervision.
* Some management and leadership experience.
* Experience with policy and practice development in the specialist area.
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.
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
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