Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated Occupational Therapist to join our Community Children and Young People's Mental Health Service (CYPS), working primarily within our Neurodevelopmental Pathway.

You will become part of a supportive multidisciplinary team providing assessment, intervention and consultation for children and young people experiencing challenges associated with neurodevelopmental conditions, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), sensory processing differences and associated emotional wellbeing needs.

This is an ideal opportunity for a Band 5 Occupational Therapist seeking to develop specialist skills in children's mental health, neurodevelopmental practice and occupation-focused intervention.

Main duties of the job
As a Band 5 Occupational Therapist, you will:

• Deliver occupational therapy assessments to understand the impact of neurodevelopmental differences on participation in everyday activities.
• Support children and young people to develop skills in self-care, emotional regulation, executive functioning, sensory processing, social participation and school engagement.
• Deliver individual and group interventions using evidence-based and occupation-focused approaches.
• Work collaboratively with families, education providers and partner agencies.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary assessment and formulation within the neurodevelopmental pathway.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and contribute to service development and quality improvement initiatives.
• Provide compassionate care that is based on empathy, kindness, respect and dignity.

About us
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

Closing date: 19 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 263-CCG26-428-AD
Job location: Monkwearmouth Hospital, Sunderland, SR5 1NB

Essential Education and Qualification

• Recognised Occupational Therapy degree qualification
• Registered with HCPC
• Commitment to complete fieldwork education training.

Desirable Education and Qualification

• Member of Royal College of Occupational Therapy

Essential Knowledge and experience

• Awareness and understanding of professional accountability, HCPC and RCOT standards and other local and national initiatives
• Experience of working with service users and carers in successful delivery of intervention plans
• Multi-disciplinary team work
• Knowledge of relevant contemporary professional theories of and evidence based interventions.

Desirable Knowledge and experience

• Previous experience of working in a community setting.
• Experience of involving service users / carers in evaluation / planning and monitoring of services.

Essential Skills and Competencies

• Proven ability to develop therapeutic partnership with service users and carers.
• To provide evidence based therapeutic interventions
• Proven ability to be able to communicate interventions to service users.
• Demonstrate effective written and communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to work autonomously and within a team

Desirable Skills and Competencies

• Audit and Evaluation.
• Supervisory Skills.
• Training and presentation skills
• Commitment to using research skills in practice.

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.

Employer details
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust, Monkwearmouth Hospital, Sunderland, SR5 1NB

Contact: Susan McBride, Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist, susan.mcbride@cntw.nhs.uk, 01915665500

Please find attached job description for full details. Apply through our website.