Job ID: S-U-5737 - Band 5 Occupational Therapist

Hours: Full time (8am-4pm, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 8-5pm Tuesdays) term time onlyYour new schoolGretton School welcomes autistic children and young people aged from 5-19 years old, as weekly boarders or as day learners.Every learner at Gretton has a diagnosis of Autism, and the ability to learn at or above the level of their mainstream peers, but require a specialist setting in order to achieve their remarkable potential.As autism specialists, we understand that consistent daily routines and staffing helps to keep anxiety at a minimum and ensures that our learners feel safe and confident in their surroundings.We have a high staff to learner ratio and classes are small and personal – we know each of our learners really well and employ the best strategies to support them in their everyday school life.A broad curriculum, an emphasis on holistic development, and the development of life and social skills, means that we are able to bring out the best in all our learners, and to provide them with opportunities to flourish.At whatever stage a young person joins Gretton, we will ensure they are happy and prepared to make the most of the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life.Your new roleAs a Band 5 Occupational Therapist, you will deliver high-quality, evidence-based therapy interventions to children and young people with autism and sensory integration needs. This role offers the opportunity to develop your clinical skills in a specialist environment while making a tangible difference to students’ lives.Key responsibilities include:Delivering universal, targeted and specialist OT interventions, including 1:1, group and class-based programmesAssessing, planning, implementing and evaluating therapy programmes across two school sitesWorking collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team including education, safeguarding, behavioural and leadership teamsContributing to IEPs, IBPs and Annual Reviews, ensuring therapy is embedded into educational outcomesSupporting students with sensory processing difficulties and dysregulated behaviours using tailored strategiesMaintaining accurate clinical records and producing professional reportsDelivering training to staff and contributing to the wider therapeutic approach of the schoolParticipating in CPD, service development and clinical audit activitiesThis is an autonomous yet well-supported role, ideal for a motivated Occupational Therapist keen to grow within a specialist paediatric setting.What you’ll need to succeedTo be successful in this Band 5 Occupational Therapist position, you will bring:A recognised Occupational Therapy qualification and HCPC registration (or eligibility)Experience working with children and young people, ideally within autism or sensory integration settingsKnowledge of sensory integration, behaviour support and therapeutic intervention planningStrong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with students, families and colleaguesThe ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary teamA commitment to safeguarding, professional development and evidence-based practiceDesirable (but not essential):Postgraduate training or experience in sensory integration or specialist OT practiceWhat you’ll get in returnCompetitive salary aligned with NHS Band 5 pay scales (£32,073 – £39,043)Term-time only working pattern, supporting work-life balanceStructured CPD opportunities and ongoing training in specialist areasThe opportunity to work within a supportive, collaborative and values-driven teamExperience in a highly specialist setting with excellent career development potentialThe chance to make a meaningful and