Specialist Children's Occupational Therapist
The closing date is 23 June 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 & Sunderland, with a focus 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. The role will also include undertaking direct assessments and providing interventions for children who are experiencing challenges or barriers to their 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. You 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 & Language Therapists and Physiotherapists.
Main duties of the job
Provides 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 evaluating the effectiveness of the role, service delivery and the interventions it provides using clear statistical and documented outcome measures.
You will work across South Tyneside and Sunderland in clinic, home and education settings. You will be motivated to support children to achieve their best outcomes. Experience of team working is essential. You will join a team of OTs working together to develop services and improve outcomes for children. You will be part of a wider Therapies Directorate and part of a Trust that is keen to develop and support staff through supervision and CPD. You will be supported to work innovatively as we take the agenda for Children’s OT forward in line with current national and clinical drivers.
EEO Statement
We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under‑represented groups. Looking after our workforce health and well‑being is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.
Person Specification
Skills
* Demonstrate skills in specialist assessment, diagnosis and development of care plans, where clients have highly‑complex needs.
* Ability to assess for, and identify, equipment needs.
* To be able to communicate highly‑complex and sensitive condition‑related information to clients / carers, multidisciplinary team members, other professionals often in the face of hostility and / or antagonism.
* Good interpersonal and communication skills including observational, listening & 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 eg EHCP process.
* Evidence of leadership skills as well as ability to be a successful team member.
* A good level of skill in complex information processing of information / facts that require analysis, interpretation and where a comparison of a range of options at a service and clinical level is necessary.
* Skilled in contributing successfully to clinical teams for development of client care.
* Able to introduce innovative practice impacting on policy / service beyond own area of activity / Organisation.
* Developed negotiation & problem‑solving skills within complex situations, & ability to facilitate these skills in others.
* Ability to assimilate, synthesise & present complex information / facts that require analysis, interpretation, and comparison of a range of options at a service & clinical level.
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 some specialist assessment tools relevant to Paediatric Occupational Therapy.
* Knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic assessments and interventions & an ability to compare & 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 the principles of clinical governance / audit / research.
* Understanding of the roles of other professionals & the principles of partnership‑working with key stakeholders.
* Knowledge of standards of record keeping and ability to monitor and audit this in own team.
* Knowledge of national and local policies & procedures relevant to health, social services & 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, advanced short courses.
* Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
* Have completed, or be 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 to include and not exhaustive of short courses on a range of management and HR issues.
Experience
* Experience within Paediatric Occupational therapy incorporating experience within 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 the range of relevant standardised formal and informal assessments and therapy approaches for client groups within this specialist service area.
* Experience of supervising all levels of qualified Occupational Therapy staff, assistants and students.
* Experience in designing and delivering training and education programmes to other professionals / students / parents.
* Training and experience in staff and student supervision.
* Some management / leadership experience.
* Experience in the use of and interpretation of the relevant standardised formal and informal assessments and therapy approaches for client groups within this specialist service areas.
* Some experience of policy / practice development in 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.
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