Job summary
Sterling Practice is seeking a newly qualified or early-career Occupational Therapist to join our growing multidisciplinary team.

This is an excellent opportunity to develop your clinical skills across both clinic and school-based settings, supporting children and young people with a range of needs, including those with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

You will be part of a supportive team delivering structured, evidence-informed interventions that focus on improving participation in learning, independence and everyday functioning.

Main duties of the job
This role provides an excellent opportunity for a newly qualified Occupational Therapist to develop their skills within a supportive multidisciplinary team. You will work with children and young people across clinic, school and community settings, carrying out assessments, delivering intervention programmes and supporting participation in education and daily activities. The role involves working closely with families, schools and other professionals to help children achieve meaningful outcomes and maximise their independence.

You will receive structured supervision and mentoring while gaining experience in a range of areas including neurodevelopmental conditions, sensory processing, motor skills and functional independence. The post offers a varied caseload, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to make a positive impact on the lives of children and young people through evidence-informed, child-centred practice.

About us
Sterling Practice is a centre of expertise in regulation and neurodevelopment, with a team of highly specialist occupational therapists and speech and language therapists.

We work across clinics, schools and community settings to support children, young people and adults to access learning, build independence and participate more fully in everyday life. Our approach integrates individual therapy with wider support for schools and families, ensuring that interventions are consistent, practical and embedded within real-world environments.

We are committed to supporting clinicians at every stage of their career through high-quality supervision, professional development opportunities and collaborative multidisciplinary working, enabling our team to deliver exceptional outcomes for the individuals and communities we support.

Job responsibilities

• Deliver occupational therapy assessments and intervention for children and young people.
• Support delivery of EHCP-specified provision.
• Contribute to structured therapy programmes aimed at improving participation and independence.
• Work collaboratively with schools, SENCOs and families.
• Provide advice and strategies to support pupils within the classroom environment.
• Participate in multidisciplinary working and team discussions.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and reports.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Applicants must hold a Degree in Occupational Therapy and be registered with the HCPC, or be awaiting registration as a newly qualified Occupational Therapist. They should demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a genuine interest in working with children and young people. The successful candidate will be able to build positive relationships and work collaboratively with schools, families and other professionals to support the needs of children and young people across a range of settings.

Desirable

• Previous experience working within paediatric or educational settings is desirable. Knowledge of sensory processing, communication needs and neurodevelopmental conditions. An understanding of Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) processes.

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.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

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