Children's Senior Occupational TherapistNHS

Job summary

Every child deserves the opportunity for participation and inclusion, to live in a home environment that supports and enables them to do the things that matter most to them, and their families. As a Senior Children's Occupational Therapist, you'll make that possible by working in partnership with children, parents, and carers to remove barriers and create safe, supportive spaces.

You'll listen, assess and act - providing tailored advice, specialist equipment, and home adaptations that make a real difference. Whether it's enabling a child to access essential facilities at home or helping parents feel confident in providing safe care, your work will transform everyday challenges into opportunities for independence and choice.

Main duties of the job

This is a role where your expertise really counts. You'll manage complex cases, balancing risk and safeguarding while keeping the child's needs and aspirations at the centre. You'll collaborate with a wide network of professionals and partners to deliver solutions that work for families. And as a senior member of the team, you'll share your knowledge, supporting and mentoring colleagues and students so they can develop too.

Our Children's Occupational Therapy service is built on partnership. We work alongside families and the multidisciplinary team around the child to create safe, supportive environments where children can flourish. You'll join a well-established, passionate team working alongside the Children's Crisis Service and Outreach teams.

To be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

• Degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered
• Experience in children's social care Occupational Therapy or any other children's Occupational Therapy experience

Surrey has both urban and rural areas and Occupational Therapists will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long-term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.

Job description

To provide a professional Occupational Therapy service to children, their families and carers living in Surrey in line with the requirements of the Children's legislation for social care. Using professional judgement employ a range of interventions promoting choice, control and independence. Specifically providing information, specialist assessment, advice, equipment, manual handling assessments and home adaptations in partnership with district and borough councils with a focus on the needs of the child and the carers. The Senior therapist will demonstrate expert and effective practice in complex situations, assessing and managing higher levels of risk, striking a balance between support and control, liaising with a wide range of professionals, including more senior levels. To share responsibility for the induction, supervision and training of less experienced staff and students

The Children's Occupational Therapy team is managed within the Children with Disabilities team East. It provides a countywide occupational therapy service which aims to enhance a child's functional ability and independence in the home environment with a focus on safeguarding. The service supports parents and carers to manage and promote the child's daily activities. By working in partnership with the child, the parents, the multidisciplinary professional team around the child to enable a child to have access to essential facilities at home and enable parents to provide safe care. The service provides information, specialist assessment, advice, equipment, manual handling assessments and home adaptations in partnership with district and borough councils with a focus on the needs of the child and the carers.

Responsible for the induction, supervision and training of less experienced colleagues and/or students.

No direct budget responsibility, but may make recommendations for the provision of equipment and adaptations in line with the budget as determined according to the assessment of needs. They may also advise less experienced or unqualified colleagues on budget and cost of services.

About us

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to new unitary councils in April 2027. Your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of these new councils, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council

Our Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and haveevidencedyou meet theminimum shortlisting criteria, as displayed on the advert, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day,we'recommitted to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.