Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and experienced Occupational Therapist to join the team. The team is well established with a wide range of services available to children and their families.

The Children's Therapies team provides high quality responsive uni- and multi- disciplinary assessment, treatment, advice and information to children and their families in the Borough of Wandsworth, who require Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech and Language Therapy.

Services are provided at the place most appropriate for the client including clinic sites, mainstream schools, early years provisions and clients' homes.

Training and advice to carers and relevant professionals to share skills is a core part of therapy provision.

Therapists may work as lone practitioners, in uni-disciplinary teams or in multi-disciplinary teams across multiple sites. Our aim is to maximise a child's potential and increase their independence.

The post holder will be able to autonomously manage children with special educational needs providing advice and input as required within statement of Special Educational Needs and to provide specialist care with children who have physical disabilities.

The post holder will support and advise health colleagues, teaching professionals, parents and carers within the community in the management of complex cases and to provide a structured framework of advice for Education staff working with children with OT needs.

Main duties of the job

• The post holder will work with children with a variety of needs and all ages from pre-school to secondary school. This provides an excellent opportunity to assess and treat children across their school years and build on clinical practice and expertise.
• The post holder will work closely with the Special Needs Assessment Section for Wandsworth Council, supporting the Education, Health and Care Plan assessment process.
• The post holder will represent Wandsworth Council at SEND First tier Tribunals.
• The service follow evidence based practice models and development opportunities are available. The post holder will be provided with high quality training and development opportunities, flexible working to enable a good work-life balance, an inclusive and friendly work environment and access to a comprehensive staff health and wellbeing programme.
• The post holder will be based with the Community Children's Occupational Therapy team and will access supervision, in-service training and other development opportunities as part of the appraisal process.
• We offer flexible working patterns and a current hybrid model between office based work and home working.
• We are a supportive team and offer regular supervision and personal development opportunities.
• We encourage and support staff to complete regular training and help you to further develop leadership, generic and Occupational Therapy professional skills including having student practice placements.

About us
St George's Children's Services were recognised as excellent in the most recent CQC inspection and the department continues to work to maintain and further develop our high standards of care.

St George's and the Children's Therapy Department offer excellent support and supervision, with access to internal and external training opportunities, and protected time for CPD activities.

Support for flexible working arrangements is also available.

If you would like a new challenge working across the NHS and Education Services we would welcome your application.

Closing date: 03 November 2026
Salary: £58,133 to £65,261 a year pro rata per annum inclusive of HCAS (inner London)
Band: Band 7 (Agenda for Change)
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working
Reference number: 200-8310996-DE-UB

Person Specification
Qualifications and Training

• Essential: Relevant qualifications and evidence of CPD including post graduate courses; Registered with HCPC; Relevant post graduate courses.
• Desirable: Member of Royal College of Occupational Therapists; Member of Specialist interest groups; Member of CYPF; Member of BAOT; Relevant Masters degree or equivalent post graduate training.

Skills

• Essential: S1. Ability to independently manage a complex caseload and to reflect on clinical practice and experience; S2. Ability to solve complex problems and take appropriate decisions; S3. Ability to communicate clearly with others using effective listening skills, non-verbal communication and establishing an easy rapport; S4. Flexibility - able to adapt to different demands and situations and the ability to work under pressure; S5. Ability to prioritise and organise workload and time; S6. Ability to write concise, legible notes and reports; S7. Good presentation skills; S8. Demonstrating some degree of postgraduate training.

Experience

• Essential: Significant experience in working with children leading to a sound understanding of NHS policies and procedures; Extensive experience in working with children who have SEND; Extensive experience in working with children who have a diagnosis of CP, DCD and GDD; Extensive knowledge of child development, neuro-developmental stages and the role of occupation in childhood; Excellent understanding of principles of postural management and experience in prescribing children's specialist equipment for seating and bathing; Good knowledge and understanding of the legislative framework surrounding children in the UK particularly relating to SEND; Experience with writing EHCNAs, annual review reports; Experience using a wide range of standardised assessments and clinical observations; Ability to demonstrate Trust Values.
• Desirable: Good experience of planning and running groups with children; Experience of representing the OT service at Tier 1 Tribunals; Experience of working in UK mainstream schools and nurseries with children with OT needs; Experience in using a Trauma informed approach; Experience in using a CO-OP approach; Experience using sensory integration approaches; Experience in working with infants who have complex needs.

Knowledge

• Essential: K1. Understanding and knowledge of up to date information relating to children with Physical Disabilities, Autism, Developmental Co-ordination Disorder and other related disorders affecting participation in everyday activities; K2. Good understanding of the range of physical and developmental disabilities which can occur with children and the role of the OT in this area; K3. Good knowledge and understanding of the SEND reforms.

Contact: Elgonia Dreyer, Clinical Team Lead Children's Occupational Therapy, elgonia.dreyer@stgeorges.nhs.uk, 02087255748

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions. Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.

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