About this role
Job summary
We are excited to say this role is based within our team covering Sheffield providing Universal and Targeted Support in school settings and at a clinic location out of term-time.
We would especially welcome applicants who have experience in Autism assessments e.g. ADOS training. There is also opportunity to develop your career in this area with us out of term-time.
Please send your cv to [email protected] to be considered.
Main duties of the job
We are seeking a dynamic and motivated Paediatric Occupational Therapist to provide embedded support, education strategies, group interventions, and staff training to meet the needs of children and young people with SEN and neurodiverse learners.
You will be joining an existing national multidisciplinary Held Health therapy team, with a broad range of specialisms such as Play Therapists, Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatrists etc. You will be part of a local team of SaLTs and OTs dedicated to education services in Sheffield.
This is an exciting opportunity for a therapist who is passionate about developing their career within a supportive environment whilst working collaboratively, managing your own caseload of settings. The role is primarily about early intervention, consultation and building the school's capacity to support children with SEN.
About us
Held Health is dedicated to supporting children, young people, and their families through tailored services for mental health, autism, and ADHD.
With a growing multidisciplinary team, for the most part, we provide high-quality assessments and interventions that make a real difference in the lives of children across the UK.
Job description Job responsibilities
Functionally assess pupils in context using clinical observation skills to identify emerging needs across the school environment and identify both what is affecting everyday participation across environments and those requiring referral to other OT services. Complete occupational analysis by breaking down tasks such as handwriting, dressing for PE, using cutlery, organising equipment or accessing a lesson to understand where the barriers are occurring. Advise teachers and SENCOs by writing recommendations or modelling practical strategies for individual pupils, groups and classes. Run or jointly deliver targeted groups, for example: curriculum friendly strategies for students with ADHD, understanding sensory processing, or fine motor skill development. Coach and train staff to use strategies independently rather than relying on therapist-led interventions. Audit the schools learning environments with MDT working and sensitivity to reasonable adjustments. Focus on whole-school approaches and communication-friendly environments rather than individual therapeutic needs. Work with parents/carers, including advice, strategies, resources, workshops and helping families understand how strategies can be used consistently at home and school. Help to develop the offer in schools including writing and preparing training and resources. Participate in carrying out individual Autism assessments as part of our broader service and neurodevelopmental assessment pathway out of term-time. This may include some parent interview information-gathering appointments or carrying out ADOS-2 assessments. Maintain accurate record keeping including reports, audits, training logs and intervention plans where required.Why Join Held Health?
Career Development: At Held Health, we are committed to helping you grow professionally. This role will give you the opportunity to develop your career with us.
Training and Progression: You will have access to ongoing professional development through regular supervision, training workshops, and career progression pathways. We value continued learning and provide the support you need to develop new skills.
Supportive Environment: Work within a collaborative environment. Youll have regular clinical supervision from senior colleagues and opportunities to participate in peer reviews and team discussions.
Impactful Work: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families, with the ability to directly influence the school environment of children facing challenges with communication or access to education due to a broad range of factors.
Who Were Looking For:
Qualifications: A recognised qualification in Occupational Therapy (e.g., BSc or MSc) and registered with the RCOT and HCPC
Experience: Background in children's development including DCD, neurodevelopmental conditions (autism or ADHD) or mental health.
Desirable:
Experience in LA, education roles or working in mainstream schools. Designing universal and targeted interventions that are suitable for reducing barriers to access in the classroom and school environments. ADOS or experience carrying out autism assessments. Car driver and/or ability to flexibly travel to different sites across the week in Sheffield is essential. Travel expense scheme.Essential Skills:
Strong paediatric OT clinical knowledge including understanding sensory processing, motor coordination, fine and gross motor development, self-care, regulation, executive functioning, attention and participation in school occupations. Ability to create and implement individualised or holistic intervention plans. Clinical reasoning and decision making such as equipment adaptations following functional assessments or classroom audits. Confident to deliver training, facilitate workshops and build effective consultative relationships with school staff. Knowledge of SEN and the DfE's plan for inclusion and integration of OTs working collaboratively and sensitively with educators. Proven excellent communication skills, with CYP, school staff to support children and their families and within multidisciplinary teams. Organisational skills to manage a varied caseload.Personal Qualities:
Compassionate and child-focused, with a genuine desire to help children with safeguarding and care central to the role. Team-oriented, with the ability to collaborate effectively with other professionals. Systems thinker, able to adapt between whole school, SEND and individual approaches depending on need. Flexible and adaptable, open to growing within the role and the service.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Qualifications: A recognised qualification in Occupational Therapy (e.g., BSc or MSc) and registered with the RCOT and HCPC Experience: Background in children's development including DCD, neurodevelopmental conditions (autism or ADHD) or mental health.
Desirable
- Experience in LA, education roles or working in mainstream schools. - Designing universal and targeted interventions that are suitable for reducing barriers to access in the classroom and school environments. - ADOS or experience carrying out autism assessments. - Car driver and/or ability to flexibly travel to different sites across the week in Sheffield is essential. Travel expense scheme.
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).
Employer details Employer name Held Health Limited
Address Held Health Ltd
Various Sheffield locations
Sheffield
South Yorkshire
S3 9BE
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.held.health/ (Opens in a new tab)