Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Specialist Occupational Therapist (Pre School)
The closing date is 12 June 2026
* Right to work: We actively promote diversity and inclusion. Please note that this role is unlikely to meet the eligibility requirements for sponsorship under the Health and Care visa route. We recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit Health and Care Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK
We are recruiting a specialist (B6) community based Occupational Therapist (OT) on a fixed term basis for 12 months, to cover maternity leave.
The successful candidate will have responsibility to support the provision of high quality OT service to children with a range of conditions and presentations with a focus on neuro disability/complex long‑term conditions and developmental needs in the community for the early years cohort (children of pre‑school age). The pre‑school team consists of a band 7 occupational therapist, band 3 occupational therapy assistant and highly specialised band 7 physiotherapists and support staff.
Our wider service works with children aged 0‑18 (19 in special schools), who have a neuro disability or developmental delay. We have a large team which includes admin support, physiotherapy assistants and physiotherapists.
If you are interested in this post and would like to hear more, please contact Lee Evans (Deputy to Head of Service, Community Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy) on 01516072700 or via email Lee.Evans@AlderHey.nhs.uk
As black and minority ethnic (BME) employees are currently under‑represented in this area, we particularly welcome applications from members of our BME communities. All appointments will be made on merit.
Main duties of the job
There is an in‑service training programme with lots of opportunities for supervision and peer support. We have strong links with staff in acute services at Alder Hey and work in an integrated way with education and social services colleagues across the city. To be a team member of Alder Hey's Community Paediatric Occupational Therapy team and as such, assist in the provision of Occupational Therapy services within Liverpool, working in partnership with parents, carers, education and other service providers to ensure a child‑centred approach to therapy.
To have responsibility for supporting and delivering a high quality Occupational Therapy service to children with a range of conditions and presentations including motor developmental conditions, neuro disability, complex long‑term conditions daily, functional performance difficulties and postural management needs in a community setting, with primary responsibility for the pre‑school service.
Job responsibilities
Communication Skills
To contribute to and receive information as part of a multi-disciplinary/multi‑agency team to provide a co‑ordinated and effective service to clients and carers.
To communicate accurate and sensitive information to clients and carers using an appropriate and accessible medium, taking into consideration relevant factors such as background, culture, gender, age and any physical, sensory or learning difficulties, adopting an empathic approach at all times.
To provide advice and information regarding occupational therapy and communicate clinical skills and knowledge to others.
Analytical Skills
To develop and apply clinical practice skills, knowledge and values within the specialist area.
To utilise standardised assessments and outcome measures that are based on the best available evidence and maintain up to date knowledge of developments in the evidence base related to area of practice.
To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
Planning and Organising Skills
To make referrals to appropriate health professionals and paediatric services within the community and acute services as appropriate.
To manage your own caseload of children with support and supervision from senior team members.
To assist in the co‑ordination of day‑to‑day activities of un‑registered staff in the service area.
To work effectively as a team member, operating flexibly to meet the needs of the service and collaborating with other team members.
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care
To provide occupational therapy assessments for children with motor developmental conditions.
To plan and implement occupational therapy treatment programmes on an individual basis, using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals.
To adopt a client‑centred and sensitive approach to therapy, collaborating with children, parents and/or carers and early years/education staff in all aspects of the therapy process.
To demonstrate a broad knowledge of typical child development and the impact of disability to children and their families.
To adopt a multi‑disciplinary way of working.
To participate in team meetings and multi‑disciplinary meetings as required.
Responsibility for Policy/Service Development
To adhere to national and local policy and work within a legal framework (e.g., child protection, health and safety at work, moving and handling, data protection).
To be responsible for the health and safety of self and others in the workplace, monitoring work areas and practices of self and other staff and ensuring safe and appropriate provision of equipment and appliances.
To take timely and appropriate action where hazards and risks are identified in line with Trust guidelines.
To undertake risk assessments as appropriate and to inform the Team Leader of the risk areas as appropriate.
To contribute to improvement in health, safety and security by sharing learning from incidents.
To work within the legal, ethical and Trust policy framework, adopting an anti‑discriminatory approach that promotes equality and values diversity.
To contribute to the development of anti‑discriminatory practice and values within the occupational therapy service.
To adhere to the Sex Discrimination Act (1975 as amended), the Race Relations Act (1976, as amended) and the Disabled Persons Employment Act (1994, 1998).
To work to the standards and comply with professional ethics for occupational therapy practitioners as laid down by the College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT 2010), relevant DoH and other local and national standards.
Ensure the team lead is kept informed of all aspects of the work, especially the development needs of the service.
To apply skills and knowledge in order to establish professional competence and fitness to practise.
To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, recording learning outcomes in a portfolio.
To participate in the development of the best practice and governance agenda and in the development of a culture that improves quality.
To work within national and local policy guidance and adhere to the current legal framework relevant to specific client group and their carers.
Responsibility for Financial & Physical Resources
To undertake specialist seating and equipment assessments, recommend purchase and provide training in its appropriate use within a mainstream setting. To continually re‑evaluate the suitability and clinical effectiveness of the equipment provided and make adjustments and recommendations accordingly.
Responsibility for Human Resources
To participate in provision of supervision and review of unregistered occupational therapy staff within the team.
To participate in clinical training placements for occupational therapy students as required within the area of work.
Responsibility for Information Resources
To ensure that up‑to‑date records and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional and Trust standards and policies.
To provide occupational therapy reports as appropriate, ensuring that all correspondence relating to caseload is dealt with promptly including contribution to EHCPs.
Responsibility for Research and Development
To demonstrate ongoing professional development through reflective practice and participation in internal and external development opportunities as evidenced in a Continuing Professional Development portfolio.
To participate in the Trust appraisal process and ensure that agreed objectives are achieved, taking responsibility for directing own learning and development activities (e.g., private study, e‑learning, webinars).
To review and reflect on own practice through effective use of professional and operational supervisions.
To participate in continuing professional development within your specialist area.
To contribute to service‑related audit to contribute to evidence‑based practice in the specialist area.
Person Specification
Education & Training
* Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy, recognised by HCPC
* Member of HCPC
* Member of RCOT (Royal College of OTs)
Experience
* A varied knowledge and experience of occupational therapy rotations
* Paediatric experience as a student or junior occupational therapist
* Experience working within a community setting
Knowledge & Skills
* Evidence of knowledge of a range of approaches used within occupational therapy
* Evidence of being capable of basic occupational therapy assessment techniques
* Proven physical ability to carry out any therapeutic handling required
* Evidence of knowledge of current trends within occupational therapy
* Evidence of good communication skills, written and verbal, ensuring effective communication with service users and other professionals
* Demonstrate ability to work flexibly when necessary
* Proven ability to prioritise and organise caseload, underpinned by sound time management skills
* Evidence of experience of positive working as part of a multi‑disciplinary/multi‑agency team
* Demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance
* Computer skills at an appropriate level for report writing and data collections.
* Proven knowledge of Safeguarding procedures
* Evidence of interest within the field of paediatrics
* Presentation skills for a range of audiences
* Proven experience of the delegation of tasks to assistant therapists, with a firm understanding of the process of delegation
* Demonstrate knowledge of current pertinent issues affecting therapy provision locally and nationally
Personal Attributes
* Evidence of Continuing Professional Development, with current portfolio
* Evidence of self‑directed learning, including reflective practice
* Commitment to improving the quality occupational therapy services
* Proven ability to compliment the dynamics of the existing team
* Ability to travel between community sites
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.
Address
1st Floor Kilby House (Liverpool Innovation Park)
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