Elm Tree Community Primary school has an exciting opportunity for a motivated and dynamic HCPC registered Occupational Therapist, to join our expanding therapies team. Applications are welcomed from both newly/recently qualified and more experienced Occupational Therapists, as the post will be graded on an equivalent scale to an NHS Band 5/6 therapist, depending on the knowledge and experience of the successful applicant.
Elm Tree School caters for children who have a statement for Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties and we currently have 80 pupils on roll across Key Stage 1 and 2. We pride ourselves on providing an exciting and stimulating curriculum that engages all our children and allows us to meet the individual needs of each and every child.
Integral to this, is the support our school-based therapy team provides across the day, through individual, small group and class-based work. The therapy team is growing rapidly to meet the diverse needs of pupils within school, and currently consists of a School Counsellor, Nurture/Behaviour lead, Play Therapist and two Speech and Language Therapists; we are now seeking the expertise of a Paediatric Occupational Therapist to meet the sensory and motor needs of our pupils. Prior experience of training or working within a paediatric department is therefore essential for this post, whilst further training within sensory integration is desirable, although this training can be provided by school for the right applicant.
The post-holder will work within the therapy team, delivering assessment and therapy to children in school, as well as providing support to children within our partner mainstream settings as part of our Outreach Service and our partner SEN settings through our commissioned services. The successful applicant will be expected to provide training to staff and, as this is a new post, there will be a strong focus on service development. However, the post holder will be well supported to do this, benefiting from a strong commitment to CPD within school, peer supervision through the therapy team, and management and leadership from the school's Senior Management Team and Therapy Manager, who will be responsible for the line-management of the post.
The post will be term -time only, for four to five days a week (30 - 37.5 hours/week) on a permanent contract. However, there may be opportunities for a more flexible working contract depending on the applicant’s experience. For newly qualified Occupational Therapists, school will provide a suitable mentor for your Preceptorship year. Band 6 equivalent therapists will receive line management and supervision through our therapies team, but will be expected to access professional support and advice from other Occupational Therapists as required. It is also recommended that the post holder is a member of the College of Occupational Therapists.