Advertised role location: ACH, Scrabo Children's Centre
Official document: Job Description / Personnel Specification (docx)
Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist
Children & Young People’s Occupational Therapy Service

Band 6 / Band 5 Training Post

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Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist
Children & Young People’s Occupational Therapy Service

Band 6 / Band 5 Training Post

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JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist – Children & Young People’s Occupational Therapy Service

BAND : Band 6 / Band 5 Training Post

DIRECTORATE : Primary Care and Older People

INITIAL LOCATION : Scrabo Children’s Centre, Ards Hospital, Newtownards

REPORTS TO : Advanced Practitioner Occupational Therapist (Band 7)

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Professional Lead Occupational Therapist, South Eastern Trust

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will provide a comprehensive Occupational Therapy Service for children and young people (CYP) with various developmental, learning, and physical needs, who may have further complications such as progressive conditions or complex health needs. The service works across the various community settings, and includes input to multi-disciplinary clinics. The post-holder will contribute towards the ongoing development of the CYPOT service and assist in the development of integrated multi-professional working within the framework of relevant competencies.

Training Post:
In the event of not recruiting at Band 6 level we will invite Band 5 Occupational Therapists with 1 years experience in any area of OT to apply for the Band 5/6 Training Post. Successful applicants will be placed in vacant Band 6 positions with a training post preceptorship framework and enhanced supervision and mentoring. On reaching 2 years’ post-registration experience as an OT with 6 months in Paediatrics, and having met the required preceptorship goals, they will move to Band 6 grade without a further interview.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical/Professional/Specific Managerial Responsibilities

To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own clinical and professional work including the management of clients in your care.
To provide high quality, specialist Occupational Therapy assessment, and plan and carry out treatment within a community setting. This may be on either an individual or group basis as appropriate to their needs.

To work closely with the child/young person, parents, and significant others to plan appropriate treatment approaches to achieve the agreed goals.

To carry out environmental assessments and provide advice regarding provision of equipment and adaptations, according to the individual needs of the child within the home and mainstream school environment.

To make recommendations for minor adaptation needs in accordance with Section 1 & 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (NI) Act 1978 and liaise with housing authorities and other agencies to ensure the correct provision of housing adaptations in terms of design criteria.

To carry out specific assessments as required, informing subsequent intervention and/or drafting of professional reports.

To continuously evaluate treatment methods used, monitor progress of clients, and make adjustments to ensure the best possible service is given.

To work with Band 7 Occupational Therapists in co-working cases and in the organisation and provision of group interventions.

To identify individual requirements for intervention, including specialised equipment provision under guidance of the line manager, and where appropriate, to action further intervention to meet client’s holistic needs.

To liaise with other team members, staff of other disciplines, and other agencies to ensure a co-ordinated approach to care and that effective communication and reporting takes place at all times.

To participate in the development and delivery of workshops, training sessions for parents, carers and education staff in the delivery of a facilitative model of care.

To contribute to the Education (NI) Order – Statutory Assessment of Children with Special Needs when requested by the line manager.

To report to the Assistant Service Manager regularly on any issues concerning the Occupational Therapy Service, including new developments, feedback or concerns relating to the service.

To provide support, advice and training where necessary to parents and carers in relation to interventions and programmes that relate to their child.

To continually update and further develop any clinical skills needed to ensure effective service delivery.

To prepare/present appropriate professional reports as required, in a timely manner.

To be prepared to give talks/lectures/demonstrations to Occupational Therapy colleagues and other disciplines/agencies.

To maintain client treatment records, departmental data collection and returns in line with departmental procedures.

To undertake management of junior staff, unqualified staff and students as directed by the line manager, to include allocation and monitoring of caseloads.

To participate in undergraduate and in-service training as directed by the line manager.

To contribute to other forums which would benefit from the application of the Occupational Therapy profession, e.g. working parties as directed by the line manager.

To assist in maintenance and review of standards and provision of service.

To participate in audits, both uni-professional and multi-disciplinary as appropriate to the service area.

To bring to the attention of the line manager, any observed shortfall in provision to clients and carers together with any suggested measures to improve or further develop services.

To contribute to the development of policies, protocols and procedures in line with professional and organisational ethos.

To be active in seeking opportunities for continuing professional development of self and wider team by increasing knowledge of specialised techniques, new developments and updated clinical information in order to improve professional standards and practices, which would benefit the service to clients and carers and satisfy clinical governance requirements.

To continuously promote and participate in quality improvements, for example audits, data collection and satisfaction surveys.

To actively seek and be aware of the views of service users, including professional staff, clients and carers.

To participate in the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust appraisal system on an annual basis.

To participate in the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust appraisal system on an annual basis.

To work as an autonomous practitioner adhering to the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for Occupational Therapists, Professional Standards for Occupational Therapy Practice, and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards.

To be responsible for own continuous professional development as required by the Health and Care Professions Council.

To actively participate in regular professional supervision in order to demonstrate and be professionally accountable for professional performance and the direct care provided to CYP and their families.

To ensure own practice is informed by and adheres to professional standards and clinical guidelines in adherence with Clinical Governance protocols.

To manage a caseload of routine and complex cases requiring specialist occupational therapy assessment and interventions, to ensure intervention is evidence-based and of the highest standard, with consideration given to all treatment options.

To prioritise and plan own workload to manage conflicting and competing priorities both clinically and professionally, and to ensure client care and treatment is carried out in an efficient, effective and timely manner in line with Trust priorities, policies and procedures, and statutory legislation.

Generic managerial responsibilities within both an operational and strategic context

Be responsible for own professional development and competency including participation in the Trust’s Knowledge & Skills Framework Review (KSFR) process.

To manage and prioritise patient and non-patient related professional demands.

To participate in the supervision of occupational therapy staff and Technical Instructors.

To delegate appropriate responsibility to staff within his/her control and consistent with effective decision-making, whilst retaining overall responsibility and accountability for results.

To actively participate in internal and external post-registration education, maintaining and developing current knowledge and evidence-based practice.

To participate in practice education of undergraduate occupational therapy students.

To undertake management of therapy staff and students as directed by the line manager to include allocation and monitoring of caseloads.

Taking such action as may be necessary in disciplinary matters in accordance with Trust procedures.

Comply with Health and Safety policies and statutory regulations

Contribute to a safe environment within the risk management and clinical governance strategy.

Comply with Trust policies, procedures, guidelines, protocols and codes of conduct, e.g. Disciplinary, Grievance, Attendance at Work protocols.

Participate in staff induction, training and other learning as required.

Undertake relevant training to fulfil duties of the post now and in the future.

To maintain sufficient IT skills for the demands of the job, e.g. keyboard skills, use of e-mail and the Internet.

Encourage and empower others in the team to achieve their goals and reach their full potential through regular, supportive conversation and shared decision-making.

Adhere to and promote Trust policy and procedure in all staffing matters, participating as appropriate in a way which underpins Trust values.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust’s Raising Concerns policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to:

Ensure the Trust’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example:
Smoke Free policy
IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct
standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

All employees of the South Eastern HSC Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the South Eastern HSC Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic, and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the South Eastern HSC Trust’s policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent the Trust’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

eHealth
The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has invested in eHealth to deliver better, faster, safer care to our community and is committed to supporting staff to utilise associated information systems that directly and indirectly inform care.  Trust staff are therefore required to commit sufficient time to ensure that they acquire and/or retain the core technology skills required to support their role.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND: Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist – Children & Young People’s Occupational Therapy Service, Band 6 / Band 5 Training Post

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE: Primary Care & Older People

SALARY

HOURS: 37.5 hours

Ref No: <Oct 2026>

Notes to applicants:
You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.
Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.
Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA


SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor
Criteria
Assessment Method

Experience

For Band 6
To demonstrate 2 years post-graduate experience working as an Occupational Therapist, at least six months of which being within a child/young person’s setting.

For Training Post
12 months post registration experience as an Occupational Therapist (in any clinical area).
Successful candidates will move to Band 6 on reaching 2 years’ experience as an Occupational Therapist with 6 months in Children and Young People’s Service, and on meeting the preceptorship goals for Clinical Specialist Band 6 – Children & Young People’s Service.


Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications/ Registration
Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy
HCPC registration or registration on appointment
Shortlisting by Application Form

Post Graduate Training
Evidence of post graduate training relevant to this post.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other
Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities
For Band 6:
Ability to work under pressure, take initiative and adopt a problem solving approach.
Ability to communicate effectively and form good team relationships with clients, their families and other disciplines.
Evidence of continual professional development including experience in audits and/or service improvements.
Ability for self-management

For Band 5 Training Post:
Communication skills
Organizational skills
Multi-disciplinary working/Team working
Skills in OT formulation and client-centred treatment planning
Basic assessment skills

Interview

Knowledge
For Band 6:
To evidence knowledge of current legislation in relation to Health and Education.
Experience in supervision of junior staff and/or facilitating and supporting fieldwork education.
Working knowledge of the application of evidence-based intervention relevant to this post.

For Band 5 Training Post
Understanding of the role of OT in the Children & Young People’s Service.
Basic knowledge of current strategy/policies/guidance affecting Occupational Therapy for Children & Young People.

Interview

DESIRABLE CRITERIA


SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Factor
Criteria
Method of Assessment

Experience

Additional postgraduate training relevant to Children & Young People’s Occupational Therapy.
Shortlisting by Application Form

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

To access a copy of the Access NI Code of Practice, please Click here

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has guidance on the Recruitment of People with Criminal Convictions. To access a copy of this guidance, please Click Here

Protecting and using your information
To access a copy of the Trust’s Data Protection Policy Statement,
Click Here

THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment.

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times
All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times