Children's Social Care Occupational Therapy Manager

Job summary
To be responsible for the day to day running of the Social Service Children's Occupational Therapy service within the integrated Occupational Therapy service.

To provide a highly specialised and advanced standard of Occupational Therapy assessment, management, treatment and advice for a caseload of children with a wide range of developmental difficulties and/or disabilities, a high proportion of whom may have complex and/or multiple pathologies.

• Responsible for the operational management and professional leadership of the Children's Occupational Therapy Service and its therapy staff, with delegated responsibility to ensure that performance and budgetary objectives are met.
• To be a highly visible and proactive leader acting as a clinical resource and ensuring the sustained delivery of high standards of therapy care and service delivery.
• To be responsible for exploring current practice, identifying areas for development, and planning the appropriate change using current evidence to evaluate outcomes.
• To be responsible for the quality of the environment in which therapeutic interventions are delivered and lead on facilitating changes which improve the service users' experience.

To play a key operational role and maintain a proactive approach to the management of demand, capacity and activity in order to meet organisational, contractual and service users' objectives.

• To ensure that services comply with national and local policy and legislation.

Main duties of the job

• To maintain a 40% clinical caseload and 60% managerial duties
• Managing Social Care waiting lists
• Managing equipment budget and send monthly reports to Croydon Council budget holder and Croydon council finance team.
• Screen adaptation request and be part of equipment and adaptation panels.
• Supporting with upcoming SEND inspection
• Manage complaints
• Complete line management and clinical supervision
• Managing staff sickness & appraisal
• KPI monitoring and attendance of commissioning meetings
• Attendance and participation in development of Babies, Children and Young People's strategic board.
• Attendance of AHP Council meetings

About us
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust provides hospital and community services across Croydon through a range of clinics and specialist centres. Formed in August 2010 from the integration of Croydon Community Health Services and Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust, we employ around 4,100 staff serving a diverse population of over 360,000 people.

Our main site, Croydon University Hospital, is one of the busiest in London. We are also leading the way in delivering more healthcare in community settings and people's homes. Our district nursing teams, Allied Health Professionals and community matrons care for people of all ages across the borough.

Like the wider NHS, we are working hard to meet increasing demand. With the right people on board, we continue to innovate and transform our services to provide the highest quality care for local residents. We place strong emphasis on education, training and career development for all staff.

If you want to make a real difference, challenge yourself and be part of a Trust that's shaping local healthcare, Croydon Health Services could be the place for you.

At Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, we are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any flexibility they may need during the recruitment process.

Job responsibilities
Please see the attached supporting document which contains more information about the role.

Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential

• OT Degree/Diploma
• HCPC registration

Desirable

• Post-qualification paediatric training
• Postural management training
• Equipment and adaptations training

Knowledge and Understanding
Essential

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of OT skills in relation to children with disabilities
• Commitment to service development
• Good understanding of OT Management role

Desirable

• Knowledge of children's normal developmental milestones
• Prior management/Lead experience
• In depth knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to children relevant to safeguarding.

Experience
Essential

• Experience of equipment assessment, provision and review
• Experience of completing medical housing assessment and associated paperwork
• Experience completing moving and handling assessments
• Able to supervise junior staff/assistants/students

Desirable

• Experience of lone working in Social Care OT role
• Experience of managing complaints
• Experience working with commissioners or key stakeholders
• Experience working with children in relevant community or acute setting

skills and Abilities
Essential

• Ability to communicate effectively with children, parents and staff, including children with significant communication difficulties
• Excellent report writing skills, including record keeping
• Ability to facilitate others to deliver OT treatment programmes

Desirable

• Knowledge of research process
• Knowledge of audit process

Other Factors
Essential

• Driving Licence - Valid in UK for manual car

Desirable

• Automatic or bike only driving licence with access to car for work

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: Croydon Health Services NHS Trust
Address: Crystal Children's Development Centre, Malling Close, Croydon, CR0 7YD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Children's Occupational Therapy Manager, Shanice Welds, View email address on meeveem.com, View phone number on meeveem.com

Details
Date posted: 22 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £63,665 to £70,887 a year
p.a incl HCAS outer
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: 199-8268185-NP
Job locations: Crystal Children's Development Centre, Malling Close, Croydon, CR0 7YD, United Kingdom

Supporting documents
Privacy notice: Croydon Health Services NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)