Occupational Therapist - Advanced, Autism Diagnostic Pathway
At a glance
- Band
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time
- Posted
- 07/09/2026
- Closes
- 21/09/2026
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Role summary
This is a newly created Band 7 Occupational Therapist post within the Children's Autism Diagnostic Pathway at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. The role involves applying advanced clinical knowledge to assess and diagnose autism, leading care pathway development, and delivering specialist training. The successful candidate will be instrumental in shaping service delivery, focusing on reducing waiting times and improving patient experiences. The post requires a warm, empathetic, and clinically confident professional with significant experience working with children with autism and complex communication needs.
Key responsibilities
- Apply advanced clinical knowledge to assess, diagnose autism and complex communication needs.
- Lead on care pathway development and clinical protocols.
- Deliver specialist training and supervision to colleagues and students.
- Champion neuro-affirming, inclusive communication practices.
- Support the development and implementation of efficient, NICE-compliant ways of working aligned to best practice.
- Take a delegated lead in developing care pathways, service protocols and clinical guidelines.
Essential criteria
- Recognised Occupational Therapy Degree or equivalent
- Successful completion of additional specialist training relevant to this area
- Health and Care Professions Council - Licence to Practice
- Leadership and/or supervisory training
- Significant post-qualification experience working with children with a wide range of challenges with participating in daily activities.
- Significant experience of working with children with autism and related including referral for autism assessment
- Experience of multiagency and multidisciplinary collaboration and/or working
- Experience of service development
- Experience of developing and delivering training for others
- Understanding of National Service Frameworks and NICE guidance relevant to client group/care setting and its application across healthcare and educational settings
- Extensive knowledge of a broad range of assessment and diagnostic tools relevant to the specialist clinical area
Desirable criteria
- Membership of relevant Clinical interest groups
- Registered as a member of the Royal College Of Occupational Therapists
- Experience of diagnosing and/or contributing to diagnosis of autism
- Experience of writing/guidelines protocols/standing operating procedures/or policies
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 7 at £46,148 – £52,809 a year, across England.
This advert: £49,387 – £56,515 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 1d ago · Closes in 14d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Occupational Therapist - Advanced, Autism Diagnostic Pathway
The closing date is 21 September 2026
Job summary
We are excited to offer a newly created Band7 post within our Children's Autism Diagnostic Pathway.
Working within the multidisciplinary team to:
- Apply advanced clinical knowledge to assess, diagnoseautismand complex communicationneeds
- Lead on care pathway development and clinical protocols
- Deliver specialist training and supervision to colleagues and students
- Champion neuro - affirming, inclusive communication practices
We are embarking on major redesign of our neurodevelopmental pathways to reduce waiting times and improve patient experiences.You'llbe instrumental in shaping service delivery, ensuring it isresponsive,equitableand aligned with NICE guidance and best practice.
We areseekinga warm, empathetic,clinically confident,inclusive and equity mindedspeech and language therapist who hassignificant experienceworking with children with autism and complex communication needs.
You'llbe part of a supportive team that values yourexpertise, encourages innovation, and invests in your professional growth. Weare committed to supporting your professional growth. As part of this role, you will receive training in autism assessment tools, including ADOS.This will equip you with the skills to contribute confidently to
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