Job summary
To contribute specialist occupational therapy assessment expertise within the CYP ASD and/or ADHD diagnostic pathways, supporting safe, timely and evidence-based diagnostic decision-making through structured functional and sensory assessment, multi-informant evidence gathering, MDT discussion, and high-quality reporting. The postholder will work within the commissioned scope and agreed clinical governance arrangements, providing clear, practical outcomes and recommendations to families and referrers.

Functional impact, sensory processing and daily living participation are critical domains in CYP neurodevelopmental assessment that require dedicated OT expertise. This role strengthens MDT capacity by embedding that specialist perspective directly within the pathway, improving the quality and defensibility of diagnostic formulation and ensuring children and young people receive recommendations grounded in their functional experience.

Main duties of the job
Full list can be found on the attached Job Description.

Assessment contribution

• Contribute specialist occupational therapy assessment within CYP ASD and/or ADHD diagnostic pathways, working within service SOPs and NICE guidance.
• Review referral information and supporting evidence, applying OT-specific clinical knowledge to support pathway triage and readiness decisions.
• Conduct structured functional and sensory assessments as part of the MDT model, using validated tools and professional judgement to inform diagnostic formulation.
• Gather and integrate multi-informant evidence from home and education settings on daily living, functional participation, sensory processing and motor development, within consent and information governance requirements.
• Contribute to MDT discussion and diagnostic decision-making, providing clear OT-informed clinical reasoning aligned to DSM-5/ICD-11 criteria.
• Identify co-occurring functional, sensory, adaptive and developmental needs; escalate safeguarding concerns and clinical risk via appropriate governance routes.

About us
Vertis Health is a federation of general practices delivering high-quality NHS services across Worcestershire. We were founded by local primary care clinicians and are owned by the practices we serve. As a purpose-led limited company, the money we generate is reinvested into the local healthcare economy, helping to strengthen services, support innovation and improve patient care.

Our neurodevelopmental services are being built around clinical quality, meaningful outcomes and strong governance. You will join an organisation that understands NHS systems and values while giving experienced clinicians the opportunity to influence, develop and improve services.

Depending on the role, our benefits include access to the NHS Pension, structured learning and development, clinical leadership opportunities, career progression and genuine flexibility.

If you want to help build a clinically rigorous, compassionate and sustainable service, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Directorate: Neurodevelopmental & Mental Health
Accountable to: Neurodevelopmental Service Lead / Head of Operations (as locally agreed)
Professional/Clinical partner: Consultant Psychiatrist and/or Paediatrician (designated senior medical oversight for diagnostic governance)
Line management: May support junior clinicians
Base: Redditch Crabbs Cross with agreed hybrid working for elements of required pathways. 95% in-person working.
Hours: 37.5 hours, Monday-Friday, 09:00-17:00, Part-time or Full-time
Contract/Grade: £40,000-£55,000

Person Specification
Essential

• Current HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist.
• Significant post-qualification experience working with children and young people in neurodevelopmental, paediatric, CAMHS or closely related settings.
• Demonstrable experience conducting functional and/or sensory assessments within a CYP diagnostic or neurodevelopmental pathway.
• Ability to integrate multi-source assessment evidence into clear clinical reasoning, contributing to MDT diagnostic decision-making aligned to DSM-5/ICD-11 criteria.
• Strong report-writing skills with evidence of producing high-quality clinical documentation to deadlines.
• Sound understanding of safeguarding, risk identification and escalation within CYP services.
• Confident MDT working and ability to follow governed diagnostic pathways and service SOPs.
• Commitment to equality, reasonable adjustments and neurodiversity-affirming practice.

Desirable

• Experience using validated standardised OT assessment tools within a neurodevelopmental or diagnostic pathway model (for example sensory processing measures or adaptive behaviour assessments).
• Experience of assessing children and young people with dual presentation (ASD and ADHD) and navigating pathway interfaces.
• Experience of working within high-volume assessment services or Right to Choose models.
• Experience of audit, service improvement or documentation standards work in neurodevelopmental or CAMHS services.
• Familiarity with ADOS-2 administration as part of an MDT model.

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.

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