Job Summary
We are seeking a passionate, innovative, and skilled Band 7 Occupational Therapist to join our dynamic paediatric team. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a service that is deeply committed to evidence-based practice (EBP), quality improvement, and service innovation, where excellence is embedded in everyday clinical delivery. You will join a highly experienced and supportive team with a strong reputation for advancing practice locally and nationally. Our clinicians have presented at national conferences, sharing pioneering work in:

• Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) assessment and intervention
• Parent Coaching interventions

We are proud to be at the forefront of shaping best practice, contributing to the wider occupational therapy profession, and continuously evolving our service in line with RCOT guidance, SEND reforms, and the Experts at Hand model.

Main Duties of the Job
As part of our Band 7 Leadership Team, you will work alongside the Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist, playing an integral role in driving change and shaping the future of paediatric therapy services in the London Borough of Newham. You will have the opportunity to make a real impact, not only within our service but in the broader healthcare landscape, contributing to the development of services that support our diverse community. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking, dynamic team that is committed to innovation, collaboration, and making a lasting difference in the lives of children and families.

About Us
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations. In return, we can offer you:

• An amazing working environment, with a warm, welcoming and supportive team of OTs and OTAs who bring experiences from all over the world.
• 1:1 monthly supervision, appraisal and CPD
• Working as part of a Leadership Team
• Team learning programme
• Protected service development time and regular team away days
• Opportunity to supervise and develop junior staff
• Bi-monthly team meetings
• Ongoing clinical skills development, MDT working
• Opportunity to be involved in service improvement
• Involvement in audit and quality improvement

Join us, and together, we will continue to lead the way in paediatric Occupational Therapy, enhancing lives and creating positive change across Newham.

Job Responsibilities
To provide a highly specialised client centered occupational therapy service to children (0-18 years) who live or attend School in Newham and have additional needs. This includes those who present with highly complex health and social needs due to a wide range of diagnoses which can present as acute, chronic and life limiting.

To work as a highly skilled autonomous practitioner in managing a highly complex clinical caseload by applying highly specialist knowledge and skills to the assessment of the needs of this client group.

Provide a service which takes into consideration working with children, young people and families from a range of cultural, socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds in the context of a multicultural, diverse inner city London Borough.

To contribute to and embed a service model aligned with a graduated approach (universal, targeted and specialist), with a strong emphasis on consultation, coaching and functional outcomes.

Deputise for the Clinical Lead when necessary and appropriate.

To be a part of the skilled Leadership team with the Childrens OT Service with a view to support in the development of the service, guiding new and innovative ways of working whilst ensuring the needs of the client group and being met.

Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential

• Recognised Occupational Therapy Degree/Post graduate degree Qualification or equivalent
• Health Professions Council - Licence to Practice
• Relevant post graduate training/courses

Desirable

• Registered Member of Royal College of Occupational Therapists

Experience
Essential

• Extensive Post Graduate Experience of working (e.g., approx 4-5 years) with evidence of consolidation of core OT competencies within the area of Paediatrics
• Demonstrable experience working with complex cases in paediatrics or other relevant fields (such as neurodevelopment)
• Experience of working in community / multi-agency settings

Desirable

• Experience working as a band 7

Knowledge and Skills
Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening, empathy skills and ability to manage conflict
• Ability to work independently, consistently maintaining a complex mixed caseload, keeping to deadlines and ensuring work is of a high standard.
• Excellent clinical skills and knowledge in the area of upper limb splinting, postural management, complex needs, neurodiversity, EHCP.
• Extensive Skills in planning, assessing and implementing intervention for a variety of client groups across a wide age range
• Ability to oversee new areas of development across the team

Desirable

• Development of specialist skills in relation to a specific area related to interest and/or service need.

Additional Information
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.

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.