Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist
NHS AfC: Band 6
Main area: Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist; Grade: NHS AfC: Band 6; Contract: Permanent; Hours: Full time – 37.5 hours per week; Job ref 333-G-HCS-1180.
Site: Alexandra Health & Social Care Centre, Town Harrow.
Salary: £45,953 – £54,254 per annum inc HCAS (pro rata if part‑time). Closing 16/07/2026 23:59.
CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) provides integrated healthcare to a third of London’s population, Milton Keynes and surrounding areas. The Trust works with diverse communities, supporting equality for LGBT+, BME and disabled people. The Trust honours good relations and understanding between staff, patients and the public.
We offer a generous relocation package (subject to eligibility assessment) and flexible working options, including bank assignments for most roles.
We are committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and follow safe recruitment practices to protect them.
Job Overview
The Harrow Paediatric Occupational Therapy team seeks a motivated, flexible and innovative therapist to work with children and young people in Harrow. This role is rotational, moving through a variety of community paediatric areas: pre‑school, mainstream schools and special schools, allowing you to develop your skills across settings.
The team is friendly, dynamic and innovative, and offers an established internal training programme alongside regular opportunities for external training.
The service is based at Alexandra Avenue, providing high levels of integration and collaboration with health, education and social care services.
Main Duties of the Job
The post offers the opportunity to gain broad experience in paediatrics through yearly rotations in:
- Pre‑school
- Mainstream school
- Secondary / special schools
The role involves working in clinics, schools and in the community, and focuses on evidence‑based, family‑centred care principles. It includes:
- Contributing to departmental meetings, clinical audit/research, and projects.
- Providing advice and training to other professionals and parents/carers on paediatric occupational therapy.
- Delivering clinical education and training to physiotherapy students and supervising CTA’s and LSA’s.
Working for Our Organisation
We are:
- A large supportive, sociable and friendly MDT team of 60+ therapists.
- Committed to the well‑being of our staff.
- Easily accessible via public transport from central London and neighbouring counties.
We can provide:
- Time to ensure access to regular and ongoing CPD.
- Opportunities for shadowing in a range of settings.
- Clearly structured caseloads and prioritisation system.
- Highly structured induction.
- Access to clinical specialists in all areas.
In joining you will receive:
- Regular and ongoing development and therapist training, and peer supervision.
- Opportunities to lead projects and working groups linked to specialist areas of interest.
Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities
- Communicate complex patient‑related information effectively, ensuring collaborative working with multidisciplinary team members and coordinating care plans with teachers, medical and nursing staff.
- Share information with colleagues, observing confidentiality and data protection guidelines.
- Communicate complex condition‑related information from assessment to children, parents/carers and the multidisciplinary team. Provide training packages to parents, teachers and other professionals.
- Work closely with children, carers and families, involving them in decision‑making and ensuring effective communication, using interpreters where needed.
- Use persuasive, motivational and explanatory communication to encourage and reassure children and carers to undertake treatment programmes.
- Employ negotiation skills to manage conflict across a range of situations.
- Form productive relationships with parents/carers who may be under stress or have challenging communication difficulties.
- Provide specialist clinical reports for children.
- Provide written advice for education and health care plans, describing the impact of the child’s difficulties on their learning environment.
Person Specification
- Excellent organisational skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively with children and young people of all ages and abilities.
- Excellent interpersonal skills – including observation, listening and empathy.
- Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal (English).
- Negotiation and problem‑solving skills.
- Ability to work in an unpredictable environment and prioritise own and others’ workload.
- Good analytical and reflective skills.
Qualifications
- Recognised Occupational Therapy Degree Qualification.
- UK Health Professional Council – Licence to Practice.
- Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapy.
- Evidence of completion of specialist short courses relevant to children with special needs/disability (e.g., splinting, neurology, seating).
- Member of the CYPF RCOT specialist section.
Experience
- Post‑graduate experience in paediatrics, neurology, orthopaedics, social care or other clinical areas.
- Writing clinical notes and reports.
- Managing own caseload.
- Teaching other professionals and parents.
- Supporting assistants and OT students.
- Clinical audit experience.
- Working in the community.
- Working with children/young people and their families.
Values and Behaviours
- Demonstrate Trust Values: Compassion, Respect, Empowerment and Partnership.
Skills and Knowledge
- Well‑established knowledge of assessment tools and appropriate therapeutic interventions in occupational therapy.
- Knowledge of specialist aids, equipment, seating systems, wheelchairs and assistive technology.
- Working knowledge of the roles of other professionals in health, education and social care.
- Understanding and application of standards of record‑keeping and reporting.
- Working knowledge of clinical governance/audit.
- Knowledge of occupational therapy in the education system.
- Understanding of national policies and procedures – safeguarding children, SEN and disability act, SEN reforms, Children and Families Act, National Service Framework for children, Children’s Bill, foundation stage and National curriculum.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI can be used as a support tool, not a replacement for the applicant’s own work. Applications must remain personal, accurate, and reflective of the candidate’s real experience. AI-generated content must not misrepresent skills, qualifications or experience. Over‑reliance on AI is discouraged and may diminish the applicant’s chances of success. The use of AI is prohibited during the interview process.
Employer Certification / Accreditation Badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020, requiring disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Name: Elizabeth PoultneyJob title: Clinical Lead Paediatric Occupational TherapyEmail: e.poultney@nhs.netTelephone: 0203 911 6988
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