Job summary
As a Specialist Occupational Therapist within the Experts at Hand team, the post holder will work across health, education and local authority services to provide early, needs-led advice, consultation, assessment and intervention for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Working as part of an integrated multidisciplinary team, the post holder will support schools and settings to develop confidence and capability in meeting needs inclusively, improve access to specialist support, and help children and young people thrive within their local communities.

Main duties of the job

• The post holder will contribute to the delivery and ongoing development of the Experts at Hand model, providing individual, group and whole-setting approaches in partnership with education professionals, therapists, psychologists, family support services, social care and other relevant partners.
• The role will support the development of innovative, accessible pathways that provide the right support at the earliest opportunity, reduce barriers to specialist advice and strengthen inclusive practice across local services.
• To be responsible for Occupational therapy intervention by setting appropriate short and long-term goals, training parents and carers and monitoring and evaluating outcomes.
• To provide spontaneous and planned advice and support to parents, carers and other members of the multi-disciplinary team in order to solve complex problems.
• To maintain and develop service specification by assessing the needs of children at home, nursery / school, to determine the most appropriate intervention pathway, setting appropriate goals and monitoring and evaluating outcomes.
• To work autonomously to plan, implement and evaluate a specialist programme of therapy by reviewing their current situation in terms of condition, presentation, equipment, adaptation and commencing the most suitable intervention.
• To provide highly specific and comprehensive information to parents about their child's condition, support groups, other treatment centre/approaches.

About us
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement. Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.

You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.

At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.

Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Details
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum, pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 3 years
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: 349-LCOD-8378160C-RL4

Qualifications

• Essential: Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Essential: Registered to practice with the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council)
• Desirable: Evidence of Continued Professional Development to Masters level or equivalent.
• Desirable: Qualification in Sensory Integration or equivalent
• Desirable: Relevant post graduate qualification (s)

Knowledge

• Essential: Extensive knowledge of paediatric conditions and disabilities
• Essential: Knowledge of paediatric and government legislation relevant to this job role specifically 2026 SEND Reforms
• Essential: Knowledge of a range of standardised assessment and treatment modalities
• Essential: Extensive knowledge of paediatric equipment.
• Essential: Knowledge and application of Health & Safety principles
• Desirable: Plans and drawings

Experience

• Essential: Experience of working single handed and autonomously in the community setting.
• Essential: Practical experience of assessment and working with children and young people with a range of complex, sensory needs.
• Essential: Experience of working with a range of multi-disciplinary and multi-agency partners including education settings
• Desirable: Working with children and young people with neuro-developmental difficulties e.g. Autism
• Desirable: Accredited Clinical educator's qualification.
• Desirable: Supervision of Students

Skills

• Essential: Ability to use and interpret a range of standardised assessments.
• Essential: Ability to assess children and young people and identify need with those who have a range of neurological, neurodevelopmental, orthopaedic or profound and complex disabilities.
• Essential: Ability to work as part of a Multi professional team across all children's services.
• Essential: Ability to use a range of treatment modalities in therapeutic work with children
• Essential: An ability to communicate complex and/or contentious information at all levels.
• Essential: Basic knowledge of the principles of clinical governance.
• Desirable: Training and presentation skills
• Desirable: Upper limb splinting experience and /or qualification
• Desirable: Skills working with children and young people with Autism
• Desirable: Group work skills

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 contact details
Contact: Jo Sweeney, Head of Trafford Children's Therapy Services, joanne.sweeney@mft.nhs.uk, 01619124495

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post.