About this role
Job summary
Every child deserves the opportunity for participation and inclusion, to live in a home environment that supports and enables them to do the things that matter most to them, and their families. As a Senior Children's Occupational Therapist, you'll make that possible by working in partnership with children, parents, and carers to remove barriers and create safe, supportive spaces.
You'll listen, assess and act - providing tailored advice, specialist equipment, and home adaptations that make a real difference. Whether it's enabling a child to access essential facilities at home or helping parents feel confident in providing safe care, your work will transform everyday challenges into opportunities for independence and choice.
Main duties of the job
This is a role where your expertise really counts. You'll manage complex cases, balancing risk and safeguarding while keeping the child's needs and aspirations at the centre. You'll collaborate with a wide network of professionals and partners to deliver solutions that work for families. And as a senior member of the team, you'll share your knowledge, supporting and mentoring colleagues and students so they can develop too.
Our Children's Occupational Therapy service is built on partnership. We work alongside families and the multidisciplinary team around the child to create safe, supportive environments where children can flourish. You'll join a well-established, passionate team working alongside the Children's Crisis Service and Outreach teams.
To be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
Degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered Experience in children's social care Occupational Therapy or any other children's Occupational Therapy experienceSurrey has both urban and rural areas and Occupational Therapists will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long-term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.
About us
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to new unitary councils in April 2027. Your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of these new councils, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.
Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council
Our Commitment
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and haveevidencedyou meet theminimum shortlisting criteria, as displayed on the advert, we guarantee you an interview.
Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day,we'recommitted to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.
Job description Job responsibilities
To provide a professional Occupational Therapy service to children, their families and carers living in Surrey in line with the requirements of the Children's legislation for social care. Using professional judgement employ a range of interventions promoting choice, control and independence. Specifically providing information, specialist assessment, advice, equipment, manual handling assessments and home adaptations in partnership with district and borough councils with a focus on the needs of the child and the carers. The Senior therapist will demonstrate expert and effective practice in complex situations, assessing and managing higher levels of risk, striking a balance between support and control, liaising with a wide range of professionals, including more senior levels. To share responsibility for the induction, supervision and training of less experienced staff and students
The Children's Occupational Therapy team is managed within the Children with Disabilities team East. It provides a countywide occupational therapy service which aims to enhance a child's functional ability and independence in the home environment with a focus on safeguarding. The service supports parents and carers to manage and promote the child's daily activities. By working in partnership with the child, the parents, the multidisciplinary professional team around the child to enable a child to have access to essential facilities at home and enable parents to provide safe care. The service provides information, specialist assessment, advice, equipment, manual handling assessments and home adaptations in partnership with district and borough councils with a focus on the needs of the child and the carers.
Responsible for the induction, supervision and training of less experienced colleagues and/or students.
No direct budget responsibility, but may make recommendations for the provision of equipment and adaptations in line with the budget as determined according to the assessment of needs. They may also advise less experienced or unqualified colleagues on budget and cost of services.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered Experience in children's social care Occupational Therapy or any other children's Occupational Therapy experience Surrey has both urban and rural areas and Occupational Therapists will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long-term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.
Experience Essential
Relevant professional qualification and registration where required. In depth and up to date applied knowledge of relevant national and local policy, statutory guidance and legislation in relation to the provision of social care services. Understanding of the principles of confidentiality and information governance and how these apply to social care. Understanding of diversity and how it affects practice. Ability to communicate appropriately and in a timely way with individuals, carers families, other professionals and team members which is clear, fluent, concise and jargon free and in a courteous calm and professional manner. This includes both verbal and written communication. Ability to effectively engage with people in complex situations both short-term and building professional relationships over time. Ability to engage in difficult conversations in challenging situations and with people who may be resistant. Ability to routinely explain professional reasoning, judgements and decisions made and record these in a clear concise way. Ability to make skilled professional judgement for interventions including in crises and in response to challenge. Ability to understand and take account of differentials in power, and use authority appropriately Ability to develop partnership relationships in order to work effectively in a multi-agency and multi-disciplinary environment, demonstrating mutual professional regard and a collaborative approach to person centred working. Ability to chair a range of meetings and offer expert support at case meetings. Competent in the use of basic IT skills Competent use of basic numeracy skills and the ability to contribute to monitoring discussions
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 Surrey County Council
Address Surrey County Council
Woodhatch Place 11 Cockshot Hill
11 Cockshot Hill
Reigate
Surrey
RH2 8EF
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/jobs (Opens in a new tab)