Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist

Job summary

As a Specialist Occupational Therapist within the Experts at Hand team, the post holder will work across health, education and local authority services to provide early, needs-led advice, consultation, assessment and intervention for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Working as part of an integrated multidisciplinary team, the post holder will support schools and settings to develop confidence and capability in meeting needs inclusively, improve access to specialist support, and help children and young people thrive within their local communities.

Main duties of the job

• The post holder will contribute to the delivery and ongoing development of the Experts at Hand model, providing individual, group and whole-setting approaches in partnership with education professionals, therapists, psychologists, family support services, social care and other relevant partners.
• The role will support the development of innovative, accessible pathways that provide the right support at the earliest opportunity, reduce barriers to specialist advice and strengthen inclusive practice across local services.
• To be responsible for Occupational therapy intervention by setting appropriate short and long-term goals, training parents and carers and monitoring and evaluating outcomes.
• To provide spontaneous and planned advice and support to parents, carers and other members of the multi-disciplinary team in order to solve complex problems.
• To maintain and develop service specification by assessing the needs of children at home, nursery / school, to determine the most appropriate intervention pathway, setting appropriate goals and monitoring and evaluating outcomes.
• To work autonomously to plan, implement and evaluate a specialist programme of therapy by reviewing their current situation in terms of condition, presentation, equipment, adaptation and commencing the most suitable intervention.
• To provide highly specific and comprehensive information to parents about their child's condition, support groups, other treatment centre/approaches.

About us

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Job responsibilities

IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.

Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place

To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Documents to download heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing vacancy listings early

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity MattersMFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.

Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police thats considered relevant to the role.

Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the childrens and/or adults barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check

Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december

DBS Update Service

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Registered to practice with the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council)

Desirable

• Evidence of Continued Professional Development to Masters level or equivalent.
• Qualification in Sensory Integration or equivalent
• Relevant post graduate qualification (s)

Knowledge

Essential

• Extensive knowledge of paediatric conditions and disabilities
• Knowledge of paediatric and government legislation relevant to this job role specifically 2026 SEND Reforms
• Knowledge of a range of standardised assessment and treatment modalities
• Extensive knowledge of paediatric equipment.
• Knowledge and application of Health & Safety principles

Desirable

• Plans and drawings

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working single handed and autonomously in the community setting.
• Practical experience of assessment and working with children and young people with a range of complex, sensory needs.
• Experience of working with a range of multi-disciplinary and multi-agency partners including education settings

Desirable

• Working with children and young people with neuro - developmental difficulties e.g. Autism
• Accredited Clinical educator's qualification.
• Supervision of Students

Skills

Essential

• Ability to use and interpret a range of standardised assessments.
• Ability to assess children and young people and identify need with those who have a range of neurological, neurodevelopmental, orthopaedic or profound and complex disabilities.
• Ability to work as part of a Multi professional team across all children's services.
• Ability to use a range of treatment modalities in therapeutic work with children
• An ability to communicate complex and/or contentious information at all levels.
• Basic knowledge of the principles of clinical governance.

Desirable

• Training and presentation skills
• Upper limb splinting experience and /or qualification
• Skills working with children and young people with Autism
• Group work skills