Package Description

Job Description:Advanced Practitioner Occupational Therapist (OT) maternity cover 

Location:Designated region / Services – North area and remote working  

Contract type:Fixed-term, 12-month maternity cover 

Hours:30 hours over 4 days 

Salary:up to £54,000 (dependent on experience) per annum, pro rata 

Start date:August 2025 

About the role 

We are looking for a highly specialist occupational therapist to join our team for a 12-month maternity cover period. The post holder will have experience in supporting children and young people with complex needs within an educational setting and have line management and/or supervisory experience. The post holder will be trained in sensory processing and have experience delivering sensory based interventions and recommendations.  

Job Purpose 

To be a core member of the Keys Group Clinical Team, providing direct and indirect occupational therapy input to children and young people educated and living with Keys Group Children’s Services.  

To provide high calibre clinical supervision and line management to therapists and therapy assistants in the clinical team. To support the Associate Clinical Director and Principal Educational Psychologist in the strategic development and delivery of innovative, quality therapeutic services across the Children’s Division of Keys Group. 

To provide consultation and support to teams working with our children and young people.  

The post holder will work collaboratively with operations and other colleagues across Keys Group to embed high quality therapeutic practices, meeting the needs of children and young people who attend our schools and live within our learning disabilities Children’s Residential Services.  

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

Clinical 

To provide specialist occupational therapy input to teams within the designated service/region. 

To oversee the assessment, formulation and implementation of specialist occupational therapy treatment, interventions and management plans, drawing on the current evidence base to inform practice.  

To be responsible for providing specialist occupational therapy perspective in the education and care of children and young people within the designated services. 

To consult with and provide specialist occupational therapy guidance to carers, teachers and, where appropriate, families and other professionals. 

To provide a specialist occupational therapy perspective regarding children referred to the Keys Group to support our operational colleagues and guide appropriate placements. 

To promote independence of service users through specialist knowledge including sensory integration.  

To promote a sensory inclusive environment in our education and learning disability residential services. 

To assess, advise and support with the implementation and use of aids and adaptations beneficial for service users’ participation in occupations.  

To effectively manage risk in all areas of practice, including but not limited to therapeutic boundaries, equipment provision and sensory integration therapy.  

Training/Supervision 

To provide training in occupational therapy approaches and associated subjects and to share skills and learning with internal and external professionals.  

To consult with and advise colleagues from other professions on occupational therapy assessment, management and treatment/intervention methods. 

To teach, advise and consult with colleagues across different services on a range of occupational therapy subjects including the use of specialist equipment and sensory processing and integration. 

To supervise and line manage colleagues in the team as required (e.g. occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, speech and language therapists).  

Policy and Service Development 

To participate in meetings concerned with the delivery and development of clinical services and contribute an occupational therapy perspective as appropriate. 

To contribute as required to the planning and development of operational policies and service delivery through undertaking / leading agreed project work. 

To advise service and professional management on areas of service where issues of occupational therapy need should be addressed and support with implementing required changes. 

To develop and maintain good communication links with Local Authorities, NHS services and other appropriate agencies.  

Evaluation/Research 

To remain informed of and critically evaluate current research to support evidence-based practice in own professional work and to contribute this perspective in the practice and development of the Keys Group Services.  

To help to coordinate administration of agreed outcome measures within the designated service/region.  

Following approval from the Governance Committee, initiate and conduct psychologically based research relevant to the care and education of children and young people with complex needs. To act as a lead researcher where necessary and appropriate. 

Professional/administrative 

To engage in regular supervision and continued professional development in line with registration body guidelines (e.g. HCPC). 

To work within the Code of Ethics, relevant professional practice guidelines and the professional guidance frameworks of the Health Care Professions Council and other relevant professional bodies (e.g. RCOT). 

To work within the framework of the policies and procedures of the Keys Group. 

Understanding key principles of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) on a practice and knowledge level. To promote and support awareness of EDI. To ensure that bullying, harassment and intimidation are not tolerated. 

To be aware of issues relating to the safeguarding of children and young people, and to report any untoward incidents immediately to the appropriate person. 

To be responsible for relevant data collection on work activities, as required, and to maintain a high standard of record keeping. 

To undertake reasonable travelling requirements in order to fulfil the tasks and responsibilities of the role.  

Personal and professional development 

Continuously develop professional knowledge and expertise, attending and participating in learning and development events, meetings, conferences, and events to ensure up to date knowledge relevant to the role and service development. 

Attend and participate in regular team and other meetings, both internal and external. 

Confidentiality  

All colleagues are required to respect the confidentiality of all matters they may learn relating to their employment, other colleagues and the general public. 

This job description is intended to be a dynamic document, subject to agreed alteration and development in line with the evolution of the role. 

To assist with any other ad hoc duties commensurate to the job role and pay scale, as directed by management. 

Keys Group