Children's Occupational Therapist

Closing date: 23 August 2026

Job summary
We are looking for a qualified Occupational Therapist to join our Children's Integrated Therapy Team. As part of a locality team, you will manage your own caseload while contributing to the wider delivery of specialist Occupational Therapy services for children and young people aged 0-19 across Oxfordshire.

This Band 5 role offers the opportunity to work across a range of settings, supporting children and families to achieve meaningful outcomes in everyday activities. You will work collaboratively with parents, carers, education staff and other professionals to identify needs early and provide effective, evidence-based support.

You will also contribute to promoting inclusion within mainstream education by working with schools and partner organisations to help children and young people access the right support at the right time. Alongside your clinical work, you will build positive relationships with education settings, local authority colleagues and wider SEND partners, helping to support joined-up working and the delivery of local SEND priorities.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop your skills within a supportive multidisciplinary team while making a real difference to the lives of children, young people and their families.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will be part of the Children's Integrated Therapy Team, providing specialist Occupational Therapy for children and young people with a range of needs, including complex disabilities. They will hold responsibility for their own caseload as an autonomous practitioner, adapting their approach to meet the needs of each child across a range of settings including homes, clinics, early years settings and schools.

The role also supports the development of inclusive mainstream education, working alongside schools and partner organisations to promote earlier identification and support for children and young people with additional needs, helping to improve participation, independence and outcomes.

The post holder will support the implementation of initiatives such as Experts at Hand and SEND Work, helping to build the confidence and capability of those working with children and young people through advice, training and collaborative approaches. In addition, you may provide line management and clinical leadership to support staff within the team.

About us
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.

Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible

Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive:"Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are:"Caring, safe and excellent"

At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

• Excellent opportunities for career progression
• Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
• NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
• Competitive pension scheme
• Lease car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
• Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Details
Date posted: 31 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Annualised hours
Reference number: 267-CH8182835
Job locations: TBC - various across Oxford Health sites
Oxfordshire
OX14 1AG
United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
We are recruiting as part of the new Experts at Hand programme and therefore will have a rolling recruitment offer. If you are not successful this time, please do get in contact and we will be happy to discuss your application for future roles.

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.

Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential

• Degree/ Diploma in Occupational Therapy
• Experience working with children
• HCPC registration

Desirable

• Experience with multiple complex conditions and provision of equipment

Training
Essential

• Has attended relevant external training for the job
• Has a knowledge of interdisciplinary team working
• Applicants must have a full valid driving license and have access to a vehicle for work. Adjustments can be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010 where required.

Desirable

• Evidence of CPD maintained within a portfolio (for those not newly qualified)
• Member of Special Interest Groups

Skills
Essential

• Has worked with equipment provision
• Experience of a range of clinical placements, some of which should have been undertaken within the NHS
• Understanding of the statutory / legal requirements for working within the specialty including a working knowledge of the SEND code of practice
• Experience of education of children, young people, families, colleagues in health and education settings
• Demonstrates knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to children and young people
• Demonstrates knowledge of range of occupational therapy assessment tools & therapeutic interventions relevant to children and young people

Desirable

• Good understanding of Safeguarding

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: Oxford Health NHS Trust
Address: TBC - various across Oxford Health sites
Oxfordshire
OX14 1AG
United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Professional & Operational Lead Children's Service
Helen Wakeling
Helen.Wakeling@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk
07810881402