Job summary
Specialist Children's Occupational Therapist - Early Years Lead

An exciting opportunity has arisen in our team for an Occupational Therapist (OT) with children's OT experience. We are looking for a children's OT to lead on the development of a high quality OT service for Early years.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and experienced OT to join our innovative Children's OT service We are based in a modern Children's Development Centre promoting multi-disciplinary team (MDT) working.Along with clinical work the post holder will also supervise junior members of the team and OT students also assisting with and lead on service developments. The post holder will also receive supervision and support by senior members of the team. ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• A Diploma / Degree in Occupational Therapy
• State registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Experience working with early years children with disabilities in a community OT setting

Main duties of the job
The post holder will act as a source of clinical expertise and advice on Occupational Therapy input for Early years children within the Children's Occupational Therapy team and for other health professionals and colleagues working within external agencies.

About us
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust provide hospital and community services from a number of community and specialist clinics throughout Croydon. The Trust wasformed on 1st August 2010 through the integration of Croydon Community Health Services and Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust. Around 4,100 staff provide servicesfora population of over 360,000 people who are relatively young with a high level of ethnic diversity.Our main hospital site, Croydon University Hospital is one of the busiest in London. We're also leading the way in providing more healthcare outside hospitals at clinics, specialist centres and in people's homes. Our experienced district nursing teams, Allied Health Professionals and community matrons look after people of all ages across Croydon.Across the NHS everyone isworkinghard to meet growing demand and we're no exception. But with the right people on board, we are rising to this challenge, putting our people in the driving seat, encouraging innovation and transforming our services to give local people the quality of care they deserve. Croydon Health Services puts a great deal of importance on education and training throughout the careers of all of our staff.If you want the opportunity to have a real impact, challengeyourself and be part of an NHS Trust that's making a real difference then a career at Croydon Health Services could be just what you're lookingfor.

Details
Date posted: 22 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £55,524 to £62,652 a year
p.a incl of HCAS
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 199-8257148-NP
Job locations: Crystal Children's Development Centre, malling close, London, CR0 7YD, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
***Please see the attached supporting document which contains more information about the role in the job description and person specification***

Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential

• OT Degree/Diploma
• HCPC registration
• Post-qualification paediatric training
• Evidence of self-directed learning and CPD

Desirable

• Bobath/Neurodevelopmental training
• Postural management training
• Equipment and adaptations training
• Sensory training

Skills and Abilities
Essential

• Ability to communicate effectively with children, parents and staff, incl. children with significant communication difficulties
• Excellent report writing skills, including record keeping
• Good organisational and time management skills
• Ability to facilitate others to deliver OT treatment programmes

Desirable

• Experience of delivery coaching and co-op approaches to interventions.
• Experience of delivery parent groups in relation to sensory and functional needs.
• Experience participating in or leading on audits.

Knowledge and Understanding
Essential

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of OT skills in relation to children with disabilities
• Excellent clinical knowledge and well established OT assessment and treatment skills
• Commitment to service development

Desirable

• Knowledge of children's normal developmental milestones and experience of working with developmental checklists
• Knowledge of specialist equipment and adaptations
• Knowledge of Sensory strategies and interventions
• Knowledge of Neurodevelopment input

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working with children and their families/carers in a family and child centred approach
• Experience of having taught peers / assistants / students
• Experience working in community settings, including a local authority in the UK
• Extensive experience of working with Early Years
• Has supervised junior staff / assistances / students

Desirable

• Postural management and equipment skills and experience
• Experience of working with children with Autism and ADHD

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: Croydon Health Services NHS Trust
Address: Crystal Children's Development Centre, malling close, London, CR0 7YD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.croydonhealthservices.nhs.uk/recruitment/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Childrens Occupational Therapy Manager, Jo Kavanagh, joannekavanagh1@nhs.net, 02082746854

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.