Tocontribute specialist occupational therapy assessment expertise within the CYPASD and/or ADHD diagnostic pathways, supporting safe, timely and evidence-based diagnostic decision-making through structured functional and sensoryassessment, multi-informant evidence gathering, MDT discussion, andhigh-quality reporting. The postholder will work within the commissioned scopeand agreed clinical governance arrangements, providing clear, practicaloutcomes and recommendations to families and referrers.
Functionalimpact, sensory processing and daily living participation are critical domainsin CYP neurodevelopmental assessment that require dedicated OT expertise. Thisrole strengthens MDT capacity by embedding that specialist perspective directlywithin the pathway, improving the quality and defensibility of diagnosticformulation and ensuring children and young people receive recommendationsgrounded in their functional experience.
Main duties of the job
Assessment contribution
* Contribute specialist occupational therapy assessment within CYP ASD and/or ADHD diagnostic pathways, workingwithin service SOPs and NICE guidance.
* Review referral information andsupporting evidence, applying OT-specific clinical knowledge to support pathwaytriage and readiness decisions.
* Conduct structured functional andsensory assessments as part of the MDT model, using validated tools andprofessional judgement to inform diagnostic formulation.
* Gather and integrate multi-informantevidence from home and education settings on daily living, functionalparticipation, sensory processing and motor development, within consent andinformation governance requirements.
* Contribute to MDT discussion anddiagnostic decision-making, providing clear OT-informed clinical reasoningaligned to DSM-5/ICD-11 criteria.
* Identify co-occurring functional,sensory, adaptive and developmental needs; escalate safeguarding concerns andclinical risk via appropriate governance routes.
Thepostholder is expected to work strictly within the commissioned scope andagreed clinical governance arrangements, contributing to pathway improvementwithout over-promising provision outside current remit. Where unmet needs areidentified during assessment, the service routes onward support via agreedpathways (typically via the GP and local NHS system), alongside signposting toappropriate local and national support.
Job responsibilities
Full Job Description attached.
Directorate:
Neurodevelopmental Service Lead / Head of Operations (as locally agreed)
Professional/Clinical partner:
Consultant Psychiatrist and/or Paediatrician (designated senior medical oversight for diagnostic governance)
Line management:
Neurodevelopmental Service Lead / Head of Operations (as locally agreed)
Base:
Redditch Crabbs Cross with agreed hybrid working forelements of required pathways. 95% in-person working.
Hours:
37.5 hours, Monday-Friday, 09:00-17:00, Part-time or Full-time
Person Specification
* Current HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist.
* Significant post-qualification experience working with children and young people in neurodevelopmental, paediatric, CAMHS or closely related settings.
* Demonstrable experience conducting functional and/or sensory assessments within a CYP diagnostic or neurodevelopmental pathway.
* Ability to integrate multi-source assessment evidence into clear clinical reasoning, contributing to MDT diagnostic decision-making aligned to DSM-5/ICD-11 criteria.
* Strong report-writing skills with evidence of producing high-quality clinical documentation to deadlines.
* Sound understanding of safeguarding, risk identification and escalation within CYP services.
* Confident MDT working and ability to follow governed diagnostic pathways and service SOPs.
* Commitment to equality, reasonable adjustments and neurodiversity-affirming practice.
* Experience using validated standardised OT assessment tools within a neurodevelopmental or diagnostic pathway model (for example sensory processing measures or adaptive behaviour assessments).
* Experience of assessing children and young people with dual presentation (ASD and ADHD) and navigating pathway interfaces.
* Experience of working within high-volume assessment services or Right to Choose models.
* Experience of audit, service improvement or documentation standards work in neurodevelopmental or CAMHS services.
* Familiarity with ADOS-2 administration as part of an MDT model.
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.
£40,000 to £55,000 a year Depending on experience
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