Job summary
This role has a starting salary of £43,633 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week.

We are looking for an enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to join our team, providing professional occupational therapy to children, young people and families living in Surrey.

The post is based at Woodhatch Place in Reigate but is a community-based hybrid role which involves visiting children in their homes, working from home and using Surrey County Council offices as required.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service (pro rata for part-time hours) plus bank holidays
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents

Main duties of the job
As a Children's OT, you will play a vital role in helping children and young people with disabilities to be safer, more independent, and more fully included in family, school, and community life.

Through specialist assessment, equipment provision and environmental adaptations, you will help remove barriers, create practical solutions, and make a lasting difference to the lives of children and their families. Through specialist OT assessments, you will identify barriers to participation, independence and family wellbeing, recommending interventions that support children to achieve the best possible outcomes.

This role offers a unique opportunity to build expertise within children's social care OT while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families across Surrey.

Key responsibilities include:

• Completing assessments Identifying barriers to participation, independence and family wellbeing
• Recommending and reviewing specialist equipment
• Assessing minor and major adaptations
• Completing proportionate risk assessments
• Contributing to person-centred plans that improve outcomes for children and young people
• Recording clear, evidence-based professional reasoning and recommendations

You will receive regular supervision and have access to learning and development opportunities that support creativity, innovation and continuous professional growth.

About us
We are committed to supporting Occupational Therapists at every stage of their professional journey. Whether you are newly qualified or looking to expand your experience in children's services, you will benefit from a structured induction programme, regular professional supervision and access to a broad range of learning and development opportunities. Working alongside experienced Occupational Therapists and Assistants, you will be supported to build confidence, develop specialist expertise and progress your career.

Newly qualified Occupational Therapists are encouraged to apply. We offer a supportive preceptorship experience with protected development time, regular supervision, opportunities to shadow experienced colleagues and a gradual increase in caseload complexity. This enables you to develop your knowledge and confidence within children's social care practice while receiving the support you need to succeed. You will gain experience across specialist equipment provision, moving and handling, major and minor adaptations, Disabled Facilities Grant-funded projects, safeguarding and complex multidisciplinary working.

Our aim is to help you develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to build a rewarding and successful career within an experienced and supportive team.

Job responsibilities
Please see above and below for complete information about this great opportunity with Surrey County Council.

Additional Information
Previous experience within children's occupational therapy is welcomed but is not essential. We also encourage applications from Occupational Therapists with transferable skills and experience gained in adult services, health, education, community or other social care settings.

An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.

Surrey has both urban and rural areas and candidates will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area.

If you are passionate about helping children and young people with disabilities achieve greater independence and reach their full potential, we would love to hear from you.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 01.11.2026 with interviews planned to follow.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the attached job description and visit 'Our Life at Surrey' to get an insight into working at Surrey.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation and will move to new authorities in April 2027. This role is currently employed by Surrey County Council and will remain so until then. If you are employed by Surrey County Council on 1 April 2027, your employment will transfer under TUPE arrangements to one of the new councils, with your current terms and conditions protected. The provisional allocation for this post is East Surrey subject to final confirmation through the wider transition process later this year.

Our Commitment
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum shortlisting criteria as displayed on the advert, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.

Qualifications
Essential

• A degree, diploma or equivalent qualification in Occupational Therapy
• Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area

Experience
Essential

• Strong assessment, communication, and problem-solving skills
• A commitment to working collaboratively with children, families, and partner agencies
• The ability to manage a varied caseload and work independently with appropriate support

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).

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation and will move to new authorities in April 2027. This role is currently employed by Surrey County Council and will remain so until then. If you are employed by Surrey County Council on 1 April 2027, your employment will transfer under TUPE arrangements to one of the new councils, with your current terms and conditions protected. The provisional allocation for this post is East Surrey subject to final confirmation through the wider transition process later this year.

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum shortlisting criteria as displayed on the advert, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.