Specialist Occupational Therapist

Job Details:

Job Reference: HCC624223

Salary Range: £48,948 - £54,423 pro-rata, per annum (actual salary £37,652 - £41,864 per annum)

Work Location: Hampshire (cases allocated within geographical patch, predominantly Basingstoke area)

Hours per week: 37

Contract Type: Permanent (Term-time only)

Closing Date: 28 June 2026

Interview Date: 7 July 2026

The Role:

Joining our developing, high-performing Education and Inclusion Therapy Service as a Specialist Occupational Therapist, you’ll enjoy a rewarding role within a supportive and forward-thinking team, delivering impactful therapy to children and young people across a range of educational settings. Your clinical expertise and ideas will shape practice and outcomes.

You’ll work collaboratively with schools, families and multi-agency professionals to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive, access learning, and reach their full potential. You’ll manage a varied and complex caseload, contribute to EHCP provision, and support the development of staff in specialist settings.

With a term-time only contract working 40 weeks per annum, excellent work-life balance, and a salary broadly equivalent to NHS Band 7, this is an ideal opportunity for an experienced Band 6/7 equivalent therapist who has been working within education services either in the NHS, local authority or in the private sector looking to deepen their specialism in sensory integration and complex needs. 

What you’ll do:

• Deliver specialist occupational therapy assessments and evidence-based interventions for children and young people in educational settings and, where appropriate, at home.


• Work collaboratively with education staff, families and multi-agency professionals to develop and implement effective, child-centred support plans.


• Contribute to EHCP assessments, reviews and reporting, including tribunal and care planning documentation.


• Provide clinical and managerial supervision to Occupational Therapists in the team and support capacity-building through training, consultation and tailored programmes within schools and settings.


• Maintain accurate and timely clinical records in line with professional standards. 


• Participate in service development and quality improvement activities. 


• Support whole-school communication strategies and contribute to policy development.  


• Manage your own caseload effectively and travel across Hampshire to deliver services predominantly within your geographical patch of the county.

What we’re looking for:

• A professional recognised Occupational Therapy qualification with current HCPC registration, and a postgraduate qualification in Ayres Sensory Integration (or equivalent).


• Experience working as an Occupational Therapist with children and young people with complex needs across education, health, social care, community or hospital-based services.


• An understanding of how to encourage and support young people.


• Strong knowledge and practical experience of a Sensory integration treatment approach.


• Excellent assessment, clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills, with the ability and initiative to translate findings into effective interventions.


• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multi-agency team.


• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.


• Strong organisational and time management skills, with a commitment to confidentiality, safeguarding and inclusive practice.

Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about the Specialist Occupational Therapist role, team and our values. The section ‘About you’ explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements and demonstrate our values, in your application.

Why join us?

• Be part of an innovative and evolving therapy service within a high-performing local authority, offering a supportive and inclusive environment.


• Benefit from a comprehensive induction programme and a strong CPD offer, including internal learning and access to external training.


• Receive tailored clinical supervision from a Specialist Occupational Therapist, alongside regular peer and safeguarding support.


• Enjoy opportunities for careers progression, a term-time only contract, and a healthy work-life balance supported by realistic caseloads and work assigned predominantly within your geographical location.


• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice. 


• A competitive benefits package that includes generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more information here.   

Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date.

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK before applying.

Other roles you may have experience of may include: Occupational Therapist – Children and Young People, Senior Occupational Therapist (Children’s Services), Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist, Specialist Occupational Therapist – Education Settings, Education-Based Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapist – SEN / SEND Services, Children’s Occupational Therapist – Specialist Services

Travel Requirements:

You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire, and it is essential that you have a current drivers’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.

Additional Information:

Specialist Occupational Therapist Candidate Pack

Vetting Requirements:

The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

For general enquiries, please contact [email protected]
For an informal chat about the role, please contact Elspeth Ringrose, Specialist Occupational Therapist, Deputy Head of Service on [email protected]