Job Summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a qualified Occupational Therapist to join our paediatric therapy team based at the Lighthouse Child Development Centre in Southend-on-Sea. We offer our employees the opportunity to develop into specialist paediatric therapists whilst working in an experienced and very supportive multi‑agency team. The service will operate using a tiered approach as recommended by RCOT for all children referred.
We are looking for a Band 6 Occupational therapist, full time and part‑time hours will be considered. We would also consider applicants looking for a band 5 to 6 development post.
You will be part of our established children’s OT team and we are offering you the chance to learn the skills needed to work with the diverse range of conditions in children that a Paediatric Occupational Therapist may work with. The post is based at the Lighthouse Child Development Centre and will require you to drive to different schools and or home settings. You will be working closely with staff employed by education. You will receive extensive in‑house training and ongoing direct senior support to enable you to carry out this job‑role.
Main Duties of the Job
We offer:
* A supportive team of experienced clinicians and assistants with a varied skill mix.
* Development of expertise in the areas of management of children with a wide range of conditions including co‑ordination difficulties, neuro‑developmental problems and difficulties with sensory processing.
* The opportunity to develop presentation skills and multi‑agency working with colleagues in education.
* Opportunities to provide training to parents, education staff, colleagues and other professionals.
* The opportunity to start working using our newly introduced tiered approach which has been recommended by RCOT for all children referred to our service.
* Opportunities to develop your personal and clinical skills through a range of learning experiences specifically linked with your appraisal objectives and identified development needs including joint consultations and shadowing.
* Regular professional support, including an appraisals, supervision and continued professional development (CPD).
* Departmental in‑service development programme as well as bi‑monthly clinical effectiveness days.
* Regular OT team meetings.
About Us
Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.
* Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
* Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
* If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
* We run recognition awards to recognise staff’s hard work and dedication.
Benefits
* 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
* Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
* Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
* £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us.
* Season ticket loans are interest‑free to cover the cost of traveling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.
* Work that wraps around your needs.
* Work bank: You can use the opportunity to supplement your income and develop your skills by working bank shifts.
* Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
* Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.
Details
Date posted: 11 November 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‑time
Reference number: 364‑A‑9294‑A
Job location: Lighthouse Child Development Centre, Snakes Lane, Southend on Sea, SS2 6XT
Job Responsibilities
* The post-holder will perform advanced occupational therapy assessments of patients with diverse presentations and complex physical and developmental conditions, to develop and deliver an individualised treatment plan, maintaining accurate patient records. As an autonomous practitioner, they will have responsibility for their own caseload and be responsible for a defined area of the service or a particular patient type, working without direct supervision.
* The post-holder will be responsible for supervising, educating and assessing the performance of Band 5 Occupational Therapists and 4 Therapy Assistants and students. They will be expected to contribute to evidence‑based audit and research projects to further own and teams clinical practice, making recommendations to clinical lead/manager of service for changes to practice by the team.
* The post-holder will provide a specialist Occupational Therapy assessment, treatment and advice service for children with a variety of learning and physical disabilities and associated communication difficulties, who are referred to the service. This may include working within the Child Development Centres, mainstream and special schools and nurseries, and visits to other services such as the wheelchair clinic.
* The post-holder will provide therapy service as part of the multidisciplinary team, working with other health, education and social care professionals and to effectively manage own caseload.
* To assist the service in the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) tribunal cases as required, providing specialist and evidence based recommendations to meet the child’s needs working in close collaboration with colleagues in physiotherapy and education.
* To provide workshops/training packages to parents, children and young peoples workforce to build their confidence to assist the service user in self‑management strategies.
* To supervise, train and performance manage junior and student occupational therapists in child services.
* To participate and contribute to the development, maintenance and evaluation of the Children’s Occupational Therapy Service.
Person Specification – Education
* Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy
* Member of British Association of Occupational Therapists
* Registered with Health and Care Professions Council
* Full UK Driving License
Person Specification – Desirable
* Involvement in Special Interest Groups
Previous Experience – Essential
* Experience or understanding of the role of the Occupational Therapist in the Specialist area and the treatment interventions available.
* 12 months plus experience as a Band 5 OT.
* Experience of supervising Junior Staff, Students and/or Support Staff.
* Experience of working as part of a rehabilitation and/or multi‑disciplinary team.
Previous Experience – Desirable
* Student clinical supervision.
* Clinical Educators course.
* Knowledge of current national policies such as NICE relevant to the role.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here: Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Employer Details
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Lighthouse Child Development Centre
Snakes Lane
Southend on Sea
SS2 6XT
#J-18808-Ljbffr