About this role
Job summary
Note: Please apply directly through the West Sussex County Council website. Link below in "Supporting Links"
Salary: £39,862 to £42,839 per annum (Pro rata salary - £23,917 to £25,703)
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: 22.2 hours per week (Weekday with Flexible Working supported)
Location: Based from County Hall North, Horsham (Hybrid Working Available)
We are looking for a qualified Occupational Therapist to join our Horizon Intervention Team. We are looking for someone that embraces our strengths-based approach, working within a community-led support model that builds on the assets and strengths of both people and their local communities.
Note: Please apply directly through the West Sussex County Council website. Link below in "Supporting Links"
Main duties of the job
You will work within an innovative and supportive service helping children & young people, particularly those with SEN, whose mental and emotional health needs affect their wellbeing, access to education or risk of hospitalisation. As part of the Horizon Intervention Team, you will use your occupational therapy skills to carry out strengths based assessments, manage a caseload, and develop personalised, legally compliant support plans in partnership with children, families and other agencies. You will operate in a managed environment with appropriate supervision, contributing to a high quality service while adhering to professional standards.
A key element of this role will be the development and delivery of creative, occupational therapy led group work for children and young people, using a neuroaffirming approach to support socialisation & communication skills. The postholder will be expected to identify gaps in existing provision and design responsive group interventions that build on children's strengths, interests and sensory needs, including an emphasis on outdoor and community based spaces where appropriate. This role is suited to an innovative practitioner who embraces creativity and is motivated to develop new small group programmes that promote connection and participation. All group work will be grounded in our strengths based, community led support model, recognising and building on the assets of children, families & local communities to enable inclusive outcomes.
About us
Launched in July 2025 as part of the development of the West Sussex Childrens Psychological Hub, the Horizon Service plays a vital role within the wider Restore Service, alongside CATs and the Solutions Service. The Horizon Service is made up of two specialist teams, Horizon Intervention and Horizon Suicide Prevention, working together to promote the emotional and mental wellbeing of children across West Sussex.
Our teams support children, families, and professionals by providing expert consultation and advice, delivering high quality training, and offering direct therapeutic intervention. The Horizon Service is grounded in a strong value base. We believe that with the right support, children can recover, thrive, and achieve positive outcomes. We strive to restore hope and empower those we work with through:
Hope Believing in recovery and the potential for positive change Empowerment Building on strengths and supporting resilience Compassion Listening, respecting, and centring the child's voice Collaboration Working together across systems for lasting impact Inclusion Embracing neurodiversity and tailoring support to individual needsHere at West Sussex County Council, we are ambitious for our children and our workforce. We are committed to improving our services for the children and families in West Sussex we support. You will join us as at a key time on our improvement journey. That's why we need professionals, like you.
Job description Job responsibilities
Note: Please apply directly through the West Sussex County Council website. Link below in "Supporting Links"
You will be responsible for undertaking strengths based and risk assessments in complex situations, using occupational therapy expertise and relevant legislation to develop creative, outcome focused interventions for children and young people. The role includes supporting and overseeing Horizon Intervention Workers in implementing and reviewing plans, safeguarding children by identifying and escalating concerns, and working collaboratively with families and a wide range of professionals and providers to meet needs, including advising on home adaptations. You will monitor and evaluate progress, manage resources responsibly, produce clear and accurate records and reports, and act as a professional representative of the service.
You will possess the ability to communicate effectively, have compassion and empathy to support people who access our services, and be able to manage your own health and wellbeing due to the emotional demands of the role. You will have a good theoretical, practical and procedural knowledge of occupational therapy, and a good understanding of the necessity of working with partnership agencies including health, housing, education and statutory, voluntary and independent agencies. There will also be a requirement for you to work flexibly using your own initiative where appropriate, to support children, young people and families. You will be required to travel throughout the County, including to locations that are not always easily accessible by public transport. There is a regular and intrinsic requirement to communicate in English with members of the public.
Person Specification
Key Skills Essential
Ability to work proactively as a member of the team to make an accurate strengths-based assessment of needs and negotiate and implement effective plans and outcomes (in line with relevant legislation), working in partnership with carers, colleagues, and a variety of external agencies to meet peoples outcomes. Ability to analyse and interpret information and data to prioritise needs and formulate plans for intervention and service provision. Ability to develop the capabilities of Horizon Intervention Workers, and to mentor them to effectively implement your plans of support. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with a range of stakeholders to provide clear advice and guidance and interventions. Ability to recognise the limits of own accountability and responsibility, know when to seek appropriate support, advice and supervision, and to prioritise and organise work and meet agreed performance expectations. Sound and accurate IT skills to ensure effective record keeping, compliant with data protection and respecting confidentiality
Experience Essential
Registration with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Valid, full driving licence. Experience of undertaking assessments and occupational therapy, intervention planning, implementation, and review by means of creative and pragmatic solutions. An understanding of mental health and experience of working with children and young people with mental health problems. Experience of working with children and young people with neurodiversity including Autism and ADHD, and undertaking Sensory Assessments. Experience of applying a risk enablement approach and using evidence-based practice. Experience of working in partnership with those who access the service and maintaining a focus on the needs and strengths of the people, and the outcomes they want to achieve, whilst handling conflict and disagreement. Experience of managing risk within a risk enablement approach. Experience of contributing to safeguarding enquiries. Good, up-to-date working knowledge of relevant legislation e.g. Mental Capacity Act (2005), Childrens Act (1989), The Mental Health Act (1983) etc.
Qualifications Essential
Diploma / BSc Occupational Therapy or recognised equivalent Occupational Therapy qualification.
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 West Sussex County Council
Address County Hall North (Parkside)
Madeira Avenue
Horsham
West Sussex
RH12 1AB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)