Job Description

Job Overview

The Paediatric Occupational Therapist is responsible for assessing, planning, and delivering neuro-affirmative occupational therapy interventions for children and young people (typically aged 2–17 years). The role involves developing individualized therapy plans informed by functional assessments, clinical observation, and collaborative goal setting with families and schools.

The Occupational Therapist will competently administer and interpret standardized assessments relevant to motor coordination, visual–motor integration, and functional participation, including but not limited to MABC, DASH, and Beery VMI, and contribute occupational therapy findings to Individual Therapy Plans and multidisciplinary neurodevelopmental assessments (where required).

Key accountabilities include writing clear, timely progress reports and therapy summaries that translate assessment findings into practical, strengths-based strategies for home and school environments. The role requires close collaboration with psychologists, speech and language therapists, educational staff, and families, as well as active participation in multidisciplinary meetings and feedback sessions.

The job holder is expected to work within a neuro-affirmative framework, uphold high clinical and ethical standards, and adhere to organizational policies relating to documentation, outcome monitoring, and service delivery, ensuring consistent, high-quality care for children and their families.

Key Accountabilities

1. Clinical Quality and Accuracy

• Utilize appropriate standardized and non-standardised occupational therapy assessment tools to evaluate children’s functional abilities across areas such as fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-care, motor planning, and participation in daily activities.
• Accurately interpret assessment findings and observations to develop clear occupational therapy formulations and identify areas of strength and support needs.
• Produce therapy plans reports that are comprehensive, developmentally appropriate, neuro-affirmative, and aligned with clinic standards.
• Provide clear, practical, and functional strategies to support participation in home, school, and community environments. Inclusion of clear, actionable strategies for home and school settings.

2. Neurodiversity and Affirmative Practice

• Demonstrate neurodiversity-affirmative approaches in therapy and interactions, reflected in reports and communication to families.
• Engage in ongoing training and reflective practice to promote an inclusive, respectful, and strength-based approach for neurodivergent clients.

2. Timeliness and Productivity

• Complete occupational therapy assessments, reports, and therapy plans within agreed clinical timelines.
• Maintain effective scheduling and caseload management to ensure children receive consistent and appropriate intervention.
• Meet agreed productivity expectations for therapy sessions, and report completion.
• Ensure documentation and treatment planning are completed in a timely and organised manner.

3. Communication and Collaboration

• Clear, respectful, and timely communication with families and caregivers.
• Effective collaboration with multidisciplinary team members.
• Liaising with schools and external stakeholders to support holistic care.

4. Documentation and Compliance

• Adherence to company policies for paperwork and clinical documentation.
• Maintenance of accurate and up-to-date client records.
• Compliance with data protection, confidentiality, and ethical standards.

5. Professional Development and Supervision

• Engagement in regular supervision and reflective practice.
• Participation in relevant CPD activities and training.
• Integration of feedback into clinical practice for continuous improvement.

Qualifications/Requirements

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy, or an equivalent qualification that meets DHA licensing requirements.
• Eligibility for, or ability to obtain, a DHA licence as an Occupational Therapist.
• Competence in administering and interpreting a range of formal and informal occupational therapy assessments relevant to occupation and functional needs.
• Strong clinical reasoning skills to translate assessment findings into individualised, functional therapy goals and intervention plans.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to engage collaboratively with children, families, schools, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary framework and contribute to coordinated, child-centred care across settings.
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of clinical documentation, confidentiality, safeguarding, and ethical practice in line with professional and organisational policies.