Children's Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner
At a glance
- Band
- Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Part-time, Flexible working
- Posted
- 17/08/2026
- Closes
- 02/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This contract type is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
NHS Trusts cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for part-time, bank, locum, zero-hours, job-share or short fixed-term (under 12 months) contracts under current Home Office rules. This applies even when the wider Trust holds a Skilled Worker licence.
Role summary
This role is for an enthusiastic Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner to join a dynamic team supporting children and young people. You will work autonomously under the supervision of registered Occupational Therapists, managing your own caseload and conducting assessments and treatments. The position involves working with multi-disciplinary teams across various settings, including clinics, homes, and schools. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential for delivering effective interventions.
Essential criteria
- Successful completion of Level 5 Qualification (Foundation Degree, equivalent to DipHE or level 5 certificate)
- Sound basic education: evidence of successful A Levels (or NVQ level 3 equivalent) and GCSEs (level 5 / grade C or above) in English and Maths
- Evidence of continued professional development documented through Trust processes and personal portfolio (for example demonstratable evidence of appraisal/supervision)
Desirable criteria
- Understanding of KSF (Knowledge Skills Framework) dimensions and PDR (appraisal) process
- Demonstrable experience of working with children, young people and families or within the Occupational Therapy service
- Experience working with families who are adjusting to disability issues
- An awareness of child development and the OT role within the service
- Experience of working in the community
- Able to demonstrate an understanding of safeguarding issues
- Experience with working with children with complex physical disability
- Experience working within a special school
- Knowledge & Skills
- A good understanding of physical disability and learning disability issues
- Knowledge of treatment protocols, benefits and limitations of Occupational Therapy
- Knowledge of the range of Occupational Therapy interventions appropriate in the treatment of children and young people
- A broad understanding of relevant policy, legislation and how they apply to children's occupational therapy
- Understanding of clinical governance - how it informs clinical practice and the purpose of audit within Occupational Therapy
- Qualifications & Training
- Successful completion of Level 5 Qualification (Foundation Degree, equivalent to DipHE or level 5 certificate)
- Sound basic education: evidence of successful A Levels (or NVQ level 3 equivalent) and GCSEs (level 5 / grade C or above) in English and Maths
- Evidence of continued professional development documented through Trust processes and personal portfolio (for example demonstratable evidence of appraisal/supervision)
- Understanding of KSF (Knowledge Skills Framework) dimensions and PDR (appraisal) process
- Demonstrable experience of working with children, young people and families or within the Occupational Therapy service
- Experience working with families who are adjusting to disability issues
- An awareness of child development and the OT role within the service
- Experience of working in the community
- Able to demonstrate an understanding of safeguarding issues
- Experience with working with children with complex physical disability
- Experience working within a special school
- Knowledge & Skills
- A good understanding of physical disability and learning disability issues
- Knowledge of treatment protocols, benefits and limitations of Occupational Therapy
- Knowledge of the range of Occupational Therapy interventions appropriate in the treatment of children and young people
- A broad understanding of relevant policy, legislation and how they apply to children's occupational therapy
- Understanding of clinical governance - how it informs clinical practice and the purpose of audit within Occupational Therapy
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 4 at £26,530 – £29,114 a year, across England.
This advert: £28,392 – £31,157 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 13d ago · Closes in 4d
Applications close soon — apply now if this is a fit.
Full advert · preview
East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust (Cambridge)
Children's Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner
The closing date is 02 September 2026
Job summary
A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Occupational Therapy Assistant to use their skills and knowledge to make a real difference in children and young people's lives.
You will be joining a dynamic team of Occupational Therapists and Assistants within the Community Occupational Therapy Service to contribute to holistic care and therapy delivery for children and young people.
The postholder will be an integral part of the Children's Occupational Therapy team supporting assessment and treatment for children and young people. The successful candidate will have a minimum of two years' experience working as a Children's Therapy assistant and have knowledge of equipment provision.
The post holder will be required to work as part of the Occupational Therapy Service as an autonomous practitioner to undertake specific work independently, as identified by registered Occupational Therapy staff. This will include working with other agencies and Multi-Disciplinary Teams to deliver Children's OT goals across different settings including clinic, patients' home, schools and/or pre-school sites.
The post holder will require very good communication, organisation and time management s
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