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Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Occupational Therapist - Advanced, Autism Diagnostic Pathway

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Job summary

We are excited to offer a newly created Band7 post within our Children's Autism Diagnostic Pathway.

Working within the multidisciplinary team to:

Apply advanced clinical knowledge to assess, diagnoseautismand complex communicationneeds

Lead on care pathway development and clinical protocols

Deliver specialist training and supervision to colleagues and students

Champion neuro - affirming, inclusive communication practices

We are embarking on major redesign of our neurodevelopmental pathways to reduce waiting times and improve patient experiences.You'llbe instrumental in shaping service delivery, ensuring it isresponsive,equitableand aligned with NICE guidance and best practice.

We areseekinga warm, empathetic,clinically confident,inclusive and equity mindedspeech and language therapist who hassignificant experienceworking with children with autism and complex communication needs.

You'llbe part of a supportive team that values yourexpertise, encourages innovation, and invests in your professional growth. Weare committed to supporting your professional growth. As part of this role, you will receive training in autism assessment tools, including ADOS.This will equip you with the skills to contribute confidently to differential diagnosis and multidisciplinary assessment.

Main duties of the job

This role supports the clinical and operational leadership for the Autism Diagnostic Pathway, working closely with the Autism Clinical Pathway AHP and MDT Lead. The post holder will support the development and implementation of efficient, NICE-compliant ways of working aligned to best practice and the local ASC core offer, in partnership with medical, nursing and AHP colleagues. They will take a delegated lead in developing care pathways, service protocols and clinical guidelines, and use advanced specialist OT expertise to contribute to differential diagnosis within the MDT. The role involves independent assessment, diagnosis and management of children and young people with social communication needs, providing second opinions where required, and ensuring care is integrated, evidence-based and population-responsive. The post holder will also provide supervision and deliver specialist training to support pathway quality and sustainability.

About us

Please refer to the Applicant Guide via the link below for key information:- Applying to LGT Guide - Key Information for Applicants

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:

Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
Improving the experience of staff with disability
Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
Making equalities mainstream

Date posted

07 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year per annum plus HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

197-RF8542-A

Job locations

Kaleidoscope

32 Rushey Green

Catford

SE6 4JF

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

For more detailed information about the job and main responsibilities see the attached job description and person specification.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For more detailed information about the job and main responsibilities see the attached job description and person specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications and training

Essential

Recognised Occupational Therapy Degree or equivalent
Successful completion of additional specialist training relevant to this area
Health and Care Professions Council - Licence to Practice
Leadership and/or supervisory training

Desirable

Membership of relevant Clinical interest groups
Registered as a member of the Royal College Of Occupational Therapists

Experience

Essential

Significant post-qualification experience working with children with a wide range of challenges with participating in daily activities.
Significant experience of working with children with autism and related including referral for autism assessment
Experience of multiagency and multidisciplinary collaboration and/or working
Experience of service development
Experience of developing and delivering training for others

Desirable

Experience of diagnosing and/or contributing to diagnosis of autism
Experience of writing/guidelines protocols/standing operating procedures/or policies

Knowledge

Essential

Understanding of National Service Frameworks and NICE guidance relevant to client group/care setting and its application across healthcare and educational settings
Extensive knowledge of a broad range of assessment and diagnostic tools relevant to the specialist clinical area

Person Specification

Qualifications and training

Essential

Recognised Occupational Therapy Degree or equivalent
Successful completion of additional specialist training relevant to this area
Health and Care Professions Council - Licence to Practice
Leadership and/or supervisory training

Desirable

Membership of relevant Clinical interest groups
Registered as a member of the Royal College Of Occupational Therapists

Experience

Essential

Significant post-qualification experience working with children with a wide range of challenges with participating in daily activities.
Significant experience of working with children with autism and related including referral for autism assessment
Experience of multiagency and multidisciplinary collaboration and/or working
Experience of service development
Experience of developing and delivering training for others

Desirable

Experience of diagnosing and/or contributing to diagnosis of autism
Experience of writing/guidelines protocols/standing operating procedures/or policies

Knowledge

Essential

Understanding of National Service Frameworks and NICE guidance relevant to client group/care setting and its application across healthcare and educational settings
Extensive knowledge of a broad range of assessment and diagnostic tools relevant to the specialist clinical area

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).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Address

Kaleidoscope

32 Rushey Green

Catford

SE6 4JF

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Address

Kaleidoscope

32 Rushey Green

Catford

SE6 4JF

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)