About this role
Job summary An exciting opportunity for a newly qualified or existing Band 5 Occupational Therapist with a genuine interest in working with children. Initially clinic-based, with opportunities to develop a community caseload as competencies grow. The role includes assessing coordination, daily living skills, child development, postural needs, and prescribing specialist equipment. You will support children with physical disabilities, developmental coordination disorder, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, and genetic conditions, alongside autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities. Opportunities for rotational development across local paediatric OT services within the Trust are anticipated.
Main duties of the job
Provide high-quality paediatric occupational therapy assessment, treatment and intervention for children and young people across a range of settings. Manage a caseload independently with clinical supervision, develop and implement care plans, assess and recommend specialist equipment, support functional participation, and work collaboratively with families, schools and multidisciplinary teams. Contribute to service development, training, EHCP assessments, safeguarding, governance and evidence-based practice while ensuring safe, effective and child-centred care.
About us
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Job description Job responsibilities
Assess childrens functional, motor and coordination needs; deliver occupational therapy programmes; prescribe specialist equipment; develop care plans and monitor outcomes. Work in clinics, schools, homes and community settings. Train and support parents, school staff, therapy assistants and students. Complete EHCP reports and statutory documentation, maintain accurate records, communicate with partner agencies, and manage workload effectively. Participate in audits, research, service improvement, supervision and professional development. Ensure compliance with HCPC standards, safeguarding, confidentiality, health and safety, infection control and Trust policies.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training Essential
Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy (or equivalent) Registration with HCPC (or pending)
Desirable
Experience working with children and young people in educational community, or healthcare settings RCOT membership
Experience Essential
Experience working in multi-disciplinary or multi agency teams as a registered Occupational Therapist or whilst on a clinical placement Knowledge of child development and children's occupational therapy principles Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team Strong organisational, time-management skills and caseload management Ability to travel independently for clinical visits across Norfolk
Desirable
Experience of working in the community (registered or undergraduate) Experience leading/participating in workshops/lecturing
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge Essential
Broad range of core clinical experience at undergraduate or post graduate level, with the ability to transfer OT core skills to the OT process with children & young people Demonstrates an ability to problem solve in a clinical setting Basic ability to integrate theory and practise and demonstrate creative problem-solving Basic ability to critically reflect on and use evidence to develop best practice
Communication Essential
Effective written and verbal communication skills Ability to work collaboratively with families, other professionals Ability to effectively communicate assessment findings and coach others to implement plans
Personal and People Development Essential
Accept responsibility and accountability for own work and can define the responsibilities of others Recognises the limits of own authority within role Seeks and uses professional support appropriately Understands the principle of confidentiality Demonstrates professional curiosity Has a realistic knowledge of personal strengths and areas for development
Personal Attributes / Behaviours Essential
Demonstrates understanding of safeguarding issues Appreciates the significance of safeguarding and interprets this accurately for all individual children and young people/vulnerable adults whatever their life circumstances
Emotional Awareness Essential
Aware of the range of emotions in self and others Demonstrates empathy for the concerns of others Listens to and understands directly and indirectly expressed feelings Encourages others to express themselves openly Manages strong emotions and responds constructively to the source of problems Shows respect for others' feelings, views and circumstances In highly stressful situations keeps own feelings in check, takes constructive action and calms others down Has a range of mechanisms for dealings with stress, can recognise when to use them and does so Listens to personal comments without becoming defensive
Other Essential
The post holder will need to be passed fit to perform full duties of the post through occupational health with any reasonable aids and adaptations as necessary as the nature of children's practice will require the post holder to bend, stretch, lifts children's limbs, crawl, kneel, work in confined spaces and at times work from the floor employing light physical effort on day to day basis Satisfactory Disclosure of Barring Service Must hold full and valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle with insurance Able to communicate effectively in written and verbal English Language
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 East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust
Address Norwich Community Hospital
Bowthorpe Road
Norwich
NR2 3TU
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.eastofenglandcommunityhealthandcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)