Specialist Children’s Occupational Therapist – Early Years lead
At a glance
- Band
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time
- Posted
- 22/09/2026
- Closes
- 28/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
Sponsorship is not clearly stated in this advert.
The advert didn't contain a clear role-specific sponsorship line, so HiveMind can't confirm eligibility. Verify with the recruiting manager or trust HR before you apply.
Role summary
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Occupational Therapist to lead the development of a high-quality OT service for Early Years children. The role involves clinical work, supervising junior staff and students, and assisting with service developments. The post holder will act as a source of clinical expertise for Early Years children within the Children's Occupational Therapy team and other health professionals.
Key responsibilities
- Lead on the development of a high quality OT service for Early years.
- Supervise junior members of the team and OT students.
- Assist with and lead on service developments.
- Act as a source of clinical expertise and advice on Occupational Therapy input for Early years children.
- Provide advice to other health professionals and colleagues working within external agencies.
Essential criteria
- OT Degree/Diploma
- HCPC registration
- Post-qualification paediatric training
- Evidence of self-directed learning and CPD
- Ability to communicate effectively with children, parents and staff, incl. children with significant communication difficulties
- Excellent report writing skills, including record keeping
- Good organisational and time management skills
- Ability to facilitate others to deliver OT treatment programmes
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of OT skills in relation to children with disabilities
- Excellent clinical knowledge and well established OT assessment and treatment skills
- Commitment to service development
- Experience of working with children and their families/carers in a family and child centred approach
- Experience of having taught peers / assistants / students
- Experience working in community settings, including a local authority in the UK
- Extensive experience of working with Early Years
- Has supervised junior staff / assistances / students
Desirable criteria
- Bobath/Neurodevelopmental training
- Postural management training
- Equipment and adaptations training
- Sensory training
- Experience of delivery coaching and co-op approaches to interventions.
- Experience of delivery parent groups in relation to sensory and functional needs.
- Experience participating in or leading on audits.
- Knowledge of children's normal developmental milestones and experience of working with developmental checklists
- Knowledge of specialist equipment and adaptations
- Knowledge of Sensory strategies and interventions
- Knowledge of Neurodevelopment input
- Postural management and equipment skills and experience
- Experience of working with children with Autism and ADHD
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 7 at £46,148 – £52,809 a year, across England.
This advert: £55,524 – £62,652 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 0d ago · Closes in 7d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust
Specialist Children’s Occupational Therapist – Early Years lead
The closing date is 28 September 2026
Job summary
Specialist Children's Occupational Therapist - Early Years Lead An exciting opportunity has arisen in our team for an Occupational Therapist (OT) with children's OT experience. We are looking for a children's OT to lead on the development of a high quality OT service for Early years.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and experienced OT to join our innovative Children's OT service We are based in a modern Children's Development Centre promoting multi-disciplinary team (MDT) working.Along with clinical work the post holder will also supervise junior members of the team and OT students also assisting with and lead on service developments. The post holder will also receive supervision and support by senior members of the team.ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: - A Diploma / Degree in Occupational Therapy- State registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)- Experience working with early years children with disabilities in a community OT setting
Main duties of the job
The post holder will act as a source of clinical expertise and advice on Occupational Therapy input for Early years children within the Children's Occupational Therapy team and for other health professionals and colleagues work
Join the community to read the full pack, responsibilities and person-specification in one place.
Apply to this role — free for your first 7 days
CareerHive is included with the CareerHive community on Skool. Start your free 7 days there and your access here unlocks straight away with the same email.
- Every sponsorship-friendly NHS role, bands 3–7, across all four nations
- The full advert and the direct apply link
- HiveMind AI — interview prep, likely questions and tailored supporting information
- Your private vault of saved roles, documents and application pipeline
- Daily alerts when a role that matches you goes live
Already a member? Sign in with the email you joined the community with. After 7 days your membership continues at the normal monthly price, or you can cancel any time and access here simply stops.