Children's Occupational Therapist

Job Summary
We have a fabulous opportunity for a dynamic, enthusiastic, and motivated Occupational Therapist to join our forward-thinking Childrens Therapy team.

We are a friendly team with a strong culture of supervision and support for our staff. This will allow us to help you to further develop your knowledge, communication and clinical skills in this rewarding specialism.

Based in Barnsley, the team consists of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy Assistants. We are a community service providing child-centred assessment and treatment for 0-19 year olds within their homes, schools, and clinic settings.

The role requires a focused, reliable, and proactive Occupational Therapist with paediatric experience and knowledge, able to undertake assessment, clinical analysis, and treatment planning. You'll possess excellent skills in communication with the confidence and professionalism to work and liaise with a range of agencies and a strong ability to collaborate and work as part of a team.

If youre passionate about making a real difference, and want to feel part of something meaningful, this could be the right place for you.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.

Main Duties of the Job
As a childrens Occupational Therapist in our team you will:

• Undertake specialist assessment and treatment of children and young people (CYP) with a wide range of presentations, some with complex needs.
• Provide holistic evidence-based treatment and support by working in partnership with families, social care and education.
• Have the ability to communicate effectively, with sensitivity and compassion and manage relationships with CYP, their families / carers, the Childrens Therapy team and MDT.
• Act as a supervisor and provide education to Band 5 Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy students and therapy assistants.
• Be responsible for maintaining your own competency and driving your professional development through being an active participant in in-service training, peer review and attending external courses.
• Access regular supervision to allow you to reflect on your practice, learning needs and wellbeing.
• Be a team player and an active participant in service development. We are a supportive, innovative team that is always looking to improve.

At the time of advertising, this role does meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. We look forward to receiving your application.

About Us
We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Details
Date posted: 31 July 2026
Closing date: 14 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year Pro Rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number: C9378-B2359
Job locations: Children's Therapy, The Oak's building, Kendray Hospital, Doncaster Road, Barnsley, S Yorkshire, S70 3RD, United Kingdom

Job Responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
This job description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The postholder will be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as directed.

The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the postholder when necessary and in line with the service developments.

To provide a specialist Occupstional Therapy service to children 0-19 years with complex conditions and multiple pathologies.
Undertaking assessment, treatment, advice and review, including the prescription of equipment and treatment programmes within a variety of settings.

KEY RESULT AREAS:
Clinical
To be responsible for own practice and accountable for all aspects of Occupational Therapy treatment and the care delivered to the child.

To use specialist skills to assess, advise, treat and assist in the diagnosis of children, some with highly complex needs. Utilising professional, up to date clinical knowledge and experience, to set appropriate treatment programmes and goals.

To work with the child and families to aid their acceptance, understanding and management of their condition/disability to provide the necessary support required in a sometimes hostile, antagonistic or highly emotional atmosphere.

To work in a variety of areas such as a childs home, school, wards and community settings and being able to adapt treatment modalities accordingly.

To communicate highly complex and sensitive information in an understandable form to parents, carers and children.

To be able to communicate effectively with Multi Disciplinary Team members and all relevant agencies e.g. Education, Social Services.

To have knowledge of moving and handling requirements, thus enabling safe therapeutic handling of children and manual handling of equipment.

To be responsible for recording and analysing complex clinical observations and to provide appropriate written information to parents, carers, other health professionals and other relevant agencies.

To understand and work to the appropriate safeguarding procedures

To be able to motivate and persuade children of all ages and a range of complex conditions /disabilities to work with treatment programmes and work towards treatment goals.

Be responsible for assessment, recommendation and issuing of equipment to ensure it is safe to use by carers and patients.

For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. Over reliance on AI-generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged and we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

Person Specification

Qualifications
Essential

• Degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy.
• Current HPC Registration.

Training
Essential

• Documented Evidence of Continuing Learning and Development / Portfolio.

Special Knowledge & Skills
Essential

• High level of clinical reasoning and treatment skills
• Use of digital media e.g. video camera.
• Basic IT skills e.g. Word documents and inputting data onto spreadsheets.
• Ability to risk assess, an awareness of health and safety and confidentiality issues.
• Knowledge of Evidence Based Practice & other clinical governance issues.
• A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).

Experience
Essential

• Substantial post registration experience.
• Experience working with children.
• Experience of inter-disciplinary teamwork.

Desirable

• Experience working with children with disabilities.
• Experience working in Childrens Therapy.
• Experience of facilitating groups.

Personal Attributes
Essential

• Good communication skills, written and verbal.
• Good organisation, time management, prioritisation and planning skills.
• Ability to work well as part of a team and independently.
• Flexibility of working practice and times.

Physical Attributes
Essential

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

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: South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
Address: Children's Therapy, The Oak's building, Kendray Hospital, Doncaster Road, Barnsley, S Yorkshire, S70 3RD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Clair Greenland, View email address on meeveem.com, View phone number on meeveem.com