Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

• Specialist SEND School
• Hackney
• Band 6 – Band 7

A specialist school for pupils with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) is currently looking for a qualified Occupational Therapist to join their staff on a temporary-to-permanent basis from September.

The Role

As one of the school's Occupational Therapists, you will be working across 3 school sites based in Hackney. You will assess, plan, resource and deliver effective and engaging occupational therapy programmes for pupils aged 3–19 (supported by teachers and school leaders). Pupils attending the school have varying needs and all are provided with a combined programme of therapy and teaching to meet their individual needs.

You will work collaboratively with colleagues, external professionals and families to support pupils' participation, independence and access to learning. Your role will also include planning and delivering whole-staff training to promote occupational therapy strategies and best practice throughout the school.

Your weekly role will consist of therapeutic work in one-to-one sessions with individual pupils, as well as supporting small groups or whole classes depending on need. You may deliver structured, weekly intervention programmes and/or provide in-the-moment therapeutic support within the classroom environment. You will support the successful operation of all aspects of the school, as directed by the senior leadership team.

The School

This large specialist SEND school is based in Hackney and caters for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities. All pupils have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), and most pupils have severe or profound needs. Many have additional needs, including complex medical conditions or autism spectrum conditions.

The school uses a multidisciplinary, personalised approach to supporting learners through a diverse curriculum that focuses on the arts, physical development and enrichment opportunities.

There is an established and dedicated staff team of teachers, support staff and therapists working across multiple school sites, and there are excellent opportunities for professional development.

To apply for this role, you must be an HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist and have:

• Outstanding knowledge and understanding of occupational therapy practice and its application within educational settings
• Experience of supporting children and young people with SEND, including those with complex learning, physical and sensory needs
• Understanding of mental health in children, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), trauma and the impact of abuse and mental health difficulties on child development, attachment and behaviour
• Understanding of child development, learning and children with SEND
• Understanding of relevant policies, codes of practice and awareness of relevant legislation
• General understanding of the national curriculum and school provision
• Excellent communication, assessment and report-writing skills
• The ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team

You must be an HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist.

If you have the appropriate qualifications, skills and experience listed above, please apply with an up-to-date CV.

We have a policy to respond to all applications within three working days. However, because of the volume of applications, we are sometimes unable to reply to individual enquiries. If we have not contacted you within this specified time your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Philosophy Education is a Recruitment Business and is advertising this vacancy on behalf of one of its clients