About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated Paediatric Occupational Therapist to join the Children's Physical Therapy Service as a Highly Specialist / Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist within the Under 5s / Early Years pathway.
This role provides the opportunity to deliver highly specialist assessment, intervention and management for children under five with complex developmental, neurological and physical needs across community, clinic, home and educational settings. The post holder will work as part of an integrated multidisciplinary team, supporting children and families through early identification, early intervention and family-centred care.
The successful candidate will manage a complex specialist caseload and provide advanced clinical reasoning in areas including neuro developmental conditions, sensory processing, fine motor development, specialist equipment, postural management and functional independence. The role also includes supporting service development, pathway improvement, integrated working and workforce development across Children's Services.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced paediatric Occupational Therapist who is passionate about early years intervention, collaborative working and improving outcomes for children and families. The role offers opportunities for leadership, supervision, teaching, quality improvement and continued professional development within a supportive and forward-thinking service.
Main duties of the job
Manage a specialist caseload of children under five with complex developmental, neurological, sensory and physical needs. Undertake highly specialist Occupational Therapy assessments and develop evidence-based intervention plans. Deliver interventions to support functional development, fine motor skills, sensory processing, postural management and participation in daily activities. Assess, prescribe and review specialist equipment, seating and environmental adaptations. Work collaboratively with families, education, health, social care and wider multidisciplinary teams to provide coordinated care. Provide specialist advice, training and support to colleagues, parents/carers and partner agencies. Contribute to early identification and intervention pathways for children with neuro developmental conditions. Support service development, clinical audit, quality improvement and implementation of evidence-based practice. Provide supervision, mentorship and clinical support to junior staff, assistants and students. Maintain accurate clinical records, reports and outcome measures in line with professional and organisational standards. Participate in safeguarding processes and promote safe, effective and family-centred care. Contribute to integrated working and pathway development across Children's Therapy Services.
About us
So what else?
This is your chance to join a progressive and innovative service in a social enterprise that is patient and staff focused - you'll even have the opportunity to become an MCH shareholder. We encourage staff to get involved in exploring new ways of working and service development. We'll provide well established, in-service training, one to one supervision, and appraisals with regular support. You'll be able to develop your skills in a friendly and supportive team. Would you like to work flexibly?In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important work life balance is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.
The small print
Informal visits can be arranged on request. We will offer you the choice of two pension schemes; the NHS Pension scheme and the scottish widows group pension scheme. MCH encourages all staff to be double COVID vaccinated to protect themselves, their colleagues, their family and their patients. MCH is considering merging with Kent Community Health Foundation Trust (KCHFT). If the merger goes ahead, the proposed transfer date is 30th September 2026 and this role will be subject to TUPE transfer to KCHFT.
Job description Job responsibilities
The post holder will provide a highly specialist Occupational Therapy service for children under five years of age with complex developmental, neurological, sensory and physical needs across community settings including clinics, homes, nurseries and schools.
The role involves managing a complex specialist caseload, undertaking comprehensive Occupational Therapy assessments and delivering evidence-based interventions to support functional development, participation and independence. Interventions may include neuro developmental approaches, sensory integration-informed practice, fine motor development, upper limb management, specialist seating, postural management, splinting and equipment provision.
The post holder will assess, recommend and coordinate specialist equipment and environmental adaptations in collaboration with families, education settings, commissioners and partner agencies. They will contribute to early identification and intervention pathways and support integrated working across health, education and social care services.
The successful candidate will work autonomously within professional and organisational guidelines, using advanced clinical reasoning to develop, implement and evaluate individualised treatment programmes for children with complex needs.
The role includes:
Providing specialist advice, support and education to families, carers and professionals. Working collaboratively within multidisciplinary and multi-agency teams. Supporting safeguarding and child protection processes where appropriate. Maintaining accurate and legally compliant clinical records and reports. Contributing to Education, Health and Care Plan processes and multidisciplinary meetings. Providing supervision, mentorship and clinical support to junior staff, assistants and students. Participating in recruitment, appraisal, teaching and workforce development activities. Supporting service development, audit, quality improvement and implementation of evidence-based practice. Contributing to pathway development and transformation initiatives within Childrens Therapy Services.
The post holder will demonstrate compassionate, family-centred and inclusive practice while supporting positive outcomes for children and families across Medway.
Person Specification
Essential Essential
Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy
essential Essential
HCPC registered
Essential Essential
Leadership and teaching experience/Experience supervising staff/students
Essential Essential
Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy HCPC Registration/RCOT Membership Leadership and teaching experience/Experience supervising staff/students Significant post-registration paediatric OT experience Experience working with children under 5 with complex developmental/neurological needs Experience of multidisciplinary and multi-agency working Experience of specialist equipment, seating and postural management Knowledge of safeguarding and clinical governance Training in neuro developmental approaches and/or sensory integration Ability to manage complex caseloads and prioritise effectively Advanced communication and report-writing skills Significant post-registration paediatric OT experience
Desirable
Training in neurodevelopmental approaches and/or sensory integration Experience of research or clinical audit Participation in specialist/regional professional networks Experience delivering teaching, training or presentations to staff, families or partner agencies. Practice placement educator qualification or willingness to work towards. Experience of integrated working across health, education and social care services.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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 Medway Community Healthcare
Address Snapdragons Centre,
Cliffe Road,
Strood, Rochester, Kent,
ME23FF
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.medwaycommunityhealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)