Job Summary
Are you an experienced and innovative Occupational Therapist looking for a role where you can influence whole systems, shape inclusive practice and lead exciting SEND developments without managing a traditional caseload?

We are looking for a highly specialist, impact-driven Occupational Therapist to join our SEND Therapies team at an exciting time of development and reform.

This is a unique opportunity to shape inclusive practice across Southend schools and settings through strategic projects, workforce development and system-wide approaches that make a real difference for children and young people.

Main duties of the job

• Universal occupational therapy approaches
• Inclusive classroom environments
• Sensory-informed practice and effective sensory spaces
• Regulation and movement breaks
• Universal adaptations and accessibility
• SEND reform and inclusion projects
• Workforce development and training
• Supporting capital projects and consultative transport panel work

You will work closely with education colleagues, SEND services and NHS Occupational Therapy teams to create joined-up, sustainable and impactful support for schools and families.

This is not a traditional caseload-holding post. Instead, you will have the opportunity to lead innovative projects, influence strategic developments and build capacity across the wider system.

You will also supervise a Specialist Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapy Assistants, helping to shape and develop an ambitious and forward-thinking OT offer.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about inclusion and participation
• Has strong specialist OT knowledge within paediatrics and education
• Thinks creatively and strategically
• Enjoys project development and system-wide impact
• Can inspire and build confidence in others
• Values collaborative and relationship-based working

About us
Our values and behaviours are at the heart of everything we do and are key to the delivery of our ambition for Southend. They help us to create a working environment in which staff can work together to deliver outstanding services. We want people who will share our values and display the right behaviours to ensure that we are working collaboratively, flexibly and responsibly to achieve our goals.

Our Values

• Inclusive - We put people at the heart of what we do
• Collaborative - We work together
• Proud - We are proud to make lives better
• Honest - We are honest, fair and accountable

Our Behaviours

• Driving positive change
• Trust and respect
• Demonstrating strong leadership
• Acting with integrity and behaving responsibly
• Building relationships to work well together

Job Purpose
This is an exciting strategic and impact-driven Occupational Therapy role focused on developing inclusive practice across Southend schools and settings. The post holder will play a key leadership role in shaping and embedding universal occupational therapy approaches that improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND across the local area.

The role will focus on developing high-quality, evidence-informed universal and targeted support in mainstream educational settings, with a particular emphasis on:

• Inclusive classroom environments and universal adaptations
• Regulation approaches and emotionally supportive practice
• Effective sensory spaces and sensory-informed environments
• Movement, sensory breaks and accessibility within the school day
• Sensory profile support and implementation
• Workforce development and capacity building across education settings
• Strategic SEND reform and inclusion projects

This is a non-caseload holding role with a strong emphasis on systems leadership, project development, service innovation and collaborative working across education, health and local authority services. The post holder will supervise and support a Specialist Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapy Assistants and will contribute strategically to Southend’s SEND and inclusion developments, including capital projects and consultative attendance at transport panels. The role will work closely with NHS Occupational Therapy colleagues to ensure complementary, aligned and cohesive offers for children, young people and schools across the local area.

Principal Accountabilities and Responsibilities
The post holder will:

• Lead the development and implementation of high-quality universal occupational therapy approaches across mainstream schools and educational settings.
• Support schools to create inclusive learning environments through advice, training and project work related to: Universal adaptations, Sensory-informed classrooms, Regulation and co-regulation approaches, Effective sensory spaces, Movement and sensory break provision, Accessibility and participation.
• Develop and deliver innovative OT-led projects and pilots aimed at improving inclusion, participation, engagement and outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
• Contribute strategically to Southend’s SEND reform agenda, supporting the development of inclusive practice and sustainable system-wide approaches.
• Provide occupational therapy expertise and consultation to local authority capital projects to ensure environments are accessible, inclusive and supportive of sensory and physical needs.
• Attend transport panels in a consultative capacity, contributing specialist advice regarding functional needs, access, participation and environmental considerations.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with NHS Occupational Therapy services and wider partners to ensure alignment, avoid duplication and strengthen the graduated response across education and health.
• Provide professional supervision, line management and support to the Specialist Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapy Assistants, promoting reflective practice, professional development and high standards of delivery.
• Coordinate and oversee the delivery of targeted OT support delivered through the wider team.
• Foster a positive, innovative and solution-focused team culture which promotes inclusion, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Develop and deliver training, workshops and resources for school staff, parents, carers and professionals to build confidence and capacity in supporting children and young people with sensory, physical and regulation needs.
• Support schools and settings to develop sustainable, evidence-informed approaches which reduce barriers to learning and participation for children and young people.
• Work collaboratively with education colleagues, Specialist Teaching Services and wider SEND teams to monitor, evaluate and improve the impact of outreach and inclusion support.
• Coordinate and support Occupational Therapy student placements across the service, providing high-quality practice education opportunities, ensuring effective placement experiences, and working collaboratively across the team to develop and sustain a positive learning environment for students.
• Use evidence, feedback, outcome measures and performance data to inform service development and future planning.
• Maintain accurate and timely records, reports and outcome data in line with professional and organisational standards.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, guidance and best practice relating to SEND, inclusion, occupational therapy and education.
• Work collaboratively with children, young people, families and professionals, ensuring their views inform service delivery and future developments.
• Support the implementation of the service complaints procedure and respond appropriately to concerns raised by families, schools or professionals.
• Work within Southend City Council safeguarding policies and procedures and promote the welfare and wellbeing of children and young people at all times.
• Contribute to service evaluation, policy development and continuous improvement across SEND Therapies and Inclusion Services.
• Operate flexibly to support the delivery of services and undertake duties commensurate with the level and scope of the role.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Degree or recognised qualification in Occupational Therapy
• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT)

Desirable

• Relevant postgraduate training linked to paediatrics, sensory integration, neurodiversity, regulation or leadership
• Practice educator or leadership qualification

Experience
Essential

• Significant experience working as an Occupational Therapist with children and young people within educational settings
• Advanced knowledge of occupational therapy approaches relating to sensory processing, regulation, participation and physical needs
• Strong understanding of inclusive practice and universal provision within mainstream schools
• Experience of developing and implementing whole-school or system-wide approaches
• Experience of leading projects, pilots or service development initiatives
• Experience of delivering training and workforce development to education staff and wider professionals
• Experience of supervising, mentoring or line managing staff and students
• Excellent understanding of sensory-informed environments, regulation approaches and universal adaptations
• Ability to advise on inclusive learning environments and effective sensory spaces
• Strong clinical reasoning and ability to apply evidence-based practice
• Experience of collaborative multi-agency working across education, health and local authority services
• Knowledge of SEND legislation, the SEND Code of Practice and graduated response approaches
• Ability to analyse data, evaluate impact and use evidence to inform service development
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
• Ability to work autonomously and strategically
• Commitment to inclusion, participation and improving outcomes for children and young people
• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and risk management
• Advanced IT and report-writing skills
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.

Desirable

• Experience of contributing to strategic SEND developments or reform work
• Experience of advising on accessibility or capital/environmental projects
• Experience of consultative work within local authority systems
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming practice
• Experience of working closely with NHS therapy services and integrated pathways

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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 (Opens in a new tab).

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: Southend On Sea City Council
Address: Southend-on-sea City Council, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-sea, SS1 9SB, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.southend.gov.uk/