Children’s Occupational Associate Practitioner: Sponsorship Available

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Job Summary

The post holder will assist Occupational Therapists in providing a service to individuals and groups of children with a range of difficulties being able to perform their Occupations or activities of daily living.

He/she will work with pre-school and school aged children in clinics, nurseries, playgroups, schools and in our community clinics. The post holder will be expected to deliver independent direct 1:1 therapy and support group interventions under the guidance of the Occupational Therapist. They will be responsible for the planning and evaluation of the therapy they provide with the support from an Occupational Therapist. They will also hold responsibility for defined clinical administrative roles within the team such as organising groups, ordering equipment or supporting the processing of referrals.

He/she will be expected to work collaboratively with children and young people, parents/carers and families.

The post holder will contribute to departmental meetings and project work and will assist in the delivery of training to education staff and parents.

 

Main duties of the job

To implement programmes devised in conjunction with an Occupational Therapist, carrying out both individual and group therapy sessions for children with a range of special educational needs.

To be able to work independently without on site supervision, seeking telephone support as required

To carry out clinical observations in individual, small group and classroom/nursery settings and on the wards and report back findings to the Occupational Therapist.

To plan individual/group therapy sessions following a therapists’ guidelines, including timetabling activities in a session.

In consultation with an Occupational Therapist to give guidance to pre-schools/school staff and parents about strategies to facilitate development of independence and Occupational Performance.

To provide support with the sourcing and ordering of equipment for specific children.

To be able to support the Occupational Therapist with monitoring and maintaining specialist equipment such as moving and handling equipment and static seating.

To work jointly with colleagues, particularly early years practitioners, education staff – LSAs, teachers, learning support teachers in implementing treatment programmes, including planning and running joint groups both in and out of the classroom for children with complex needs and challenging behaviours.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • Recognised NVQ, NNEB or equivalent qualification in the area of child development or health related field.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience working with children, young people and families
  • Working within an education/early years environment
  • Running groups
  • Providing training to parents / carers

Desirable

  • Working with children with SEN and disabilities.

Skills and knowledge

Essential

  • Excellent written and spoken English
  • Good interpersonal skills – including observation, listening and empathy skills. Well-developed concentration skills.
  • Ability to work in an unpredictable environment and to prioritise own workload.
  • Good organisational skills
  • Good Telephone skills
  • Demonstrates ability to be a team player
  • Knowledge of normal child development
  • Knowledge of how children learn and develop personal care skills such as toileting, dressing.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with children and young people of all ages and abilities. and to manage children’s behaviour
  • Good IT skills
  • Ability to work independently under guidance within agreed constraints.
  • Ability to modify / adapt therapy activities.
  • Awareness of the roles of other professionals in Health Education and Social Care involved with CYP.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of how disability can impact on a child’s Occupational Performance.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Closing Date: 19 February 2026

To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.