Croydon Health Services NHS Trust

Specialist Children’s Occupational Therapist – Neurodiversity Lead

The closing date is 05 March 2026

Job summary

Specialist Children's Occupational Therapist - Neurodiversity Lead

An exciting opportunity has arisen in our team for an Occupational Therapist (OT) with children's OT experience. We are looking for a children's OT to lead on the development of a high quality OT service for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder .

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and experienced OT to join our innovative Children's OT service that combines the traditional roles of both health and social services Children's OT. We are based in a modern Children's Development Centre promoting multi-disciplinary team (MDT) working.Along with clinical work the post holder will also supervise junior members of the team and OT students also assisting with and lead on service developments. The post holder will also receive supervision and support by senior members of the team.ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:- A Diploma / Degree in Occupational Therapy- State registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)- Experience working with children with disabilities in a community OT setting-Experience of working with children with ASD and ADHD- A valid manual UK driving license

Main duties of the job

The post holder will act as a source of clinical expertise and advice on Occupational Therapy input for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder within the Children's Occupational Therapy team and for other health professionals and colleagues working within external agencies.

About us

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust provide hospital and community services from a number of community and specialist clinics throughout Croydon. The Trust wasformed on 1st August 2010 through the integration of Croydon Community Health Services and Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust. Around 4,100 staff provide servicesfora population of over 360,000 people who are relatively young with a high level of ethnic diversity.Our main hospital site, Croydon University Hospital is one of the busiest in London. We're also leading the way in providing more healthcare outside hospitals at clinics, specialist centres and in people's homes. Our experienced district nursing teams, Allied Health Professionals and community matrons look after people of all ages across Croydon.Across the NHS everyone isworkinghard to meet growing demand and we're no exception. But with the right people on board, we are rising to this challenge, putting our people in the driving seat, encouraging innovation and transforming our services to give local people the quality of care they deserve. Croydon Health Services puts a great deal of importance on education and training throughout the careers of all of our staff.If you want the opportunity to have a real impact, challengeyourself and be part of an NHS Trust that's making a real difference then a career at Croydon Health Services could be just what you're lookingfor.

Details

Date posted

20 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£53,751 to £60,651 a year pro rata pa incl of HCAS (outer)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

199-7737557-RB-NP

Job locations

Crystal Children's Development Centre

malling close

London

CR0 7YD


Job description

Job responsibilities

***Please see the attached supporting document which contains more information about the role in the job description and person specification***

Job description

Job responsibilities

***Please see the attached supporting document which contains more information about the role in the job description and person specification***

Person Specification

Education and Qualification

Essential

  • OT Degree/Diploma
  • HCPC registration
  • Post-qualification paediatric training
  • Evidence of self-directed learning and CPD

Desirable

  • Bobath/Neurodevelopmental training
  • Postural management training
  • Equipment and adaptations training
  • Sensory training

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to communicate effectively with children, parents and staff, incl. children with significant communication difficulties
  • Excellent report writing skills, including record keeping
  • Good organisational and time management skills
  • Ability to facilitate others to deliver OT treatment programmes

Desirable

  • Experience of delivery coaching and co-op approaches to interventions.
  • Experience of delivery parent groups in relation to sensory and functional needs.
  • Experience participating in or leading on audits.

Other Factors

Essential

  • Manual driving licence - valid in the United Kingdom

Desirable

  • Car Owner

Knowledge and Understanding

Essential

  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of OT skills in relation to children with disabilities
  • Excellent clinical knowledge and well established OT assessment and treatment skills
  • Commitment to service development

Desirable

  • Knowledge of children's normal developmental milestones and experience of working with developmental checklists
  • Knowledge of specialist equipment and adaptations
  • Knowledge of Sensory strategies and interventions
  • Knowledge of Neurodevelopment input

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with children and their families/carers in a family and child centred approach
  • Experience of having taught peers / assistants / students
  • Experience working in community settings, including a local authority in the UK
  • Experience of working with children with Autism and ADHD
  • Has supervised junior staff / assistances / students

Desirable

  • Postural management and equipment skills and experience
  • Experience of working with children in mainstream, special schools and early years settings Experience of working with Local Educational Authorities (LEAs
Person Specification

Education and Qualification

Essential

  • OT Degree/Diploma
  • HCPC registration
  • Post-qualification paediatric training
  • Evidence of self-directed learning and CPD

Desirable

  • Bobath/Neurodevelopmental training
  • Postural management training
  • Equipment and adaptations training
  • Sensory training

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to communicate effectively with children, parents and staff, incl. children with significant communication difficulties
  • Excellent report writing skills, including record keeping
  • Good organisational and time management skills
  • Ability to facilitate others to deliver OT treatment programmes

Desirable

  • Experience of delivery coaching and co-op approaches to interventions.
  • Experience of delivery parent groups in relation to sensory and functional needs.
  • Experience participating in or leading on audits.

Other Factors

Essential

  • Manual driving licence - valid in the United Kingdom

Desirable

  • Car Owner

Knowledge and Understanding

Essential

  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of OT skills in relation to children with disabilities
  • Excellent clinical knowledge and well established OT assessment and treatment skills
  • Commitment to service development

Desirable

  • Knowledge of children's normal developmental milestones and experience of working with developmental checklists
  • Knowledge of specialist equipment and adaptations
  • Knowledge of Sensory strategies and interventions
  • Knowledge of Neurodevelopment input

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with children and their families/carers in a family and child centred approach
  • Experience of having taught peers / assistants / students
  • Experience working in community settings, including a local authority in the UK
  • Experience of working with children with Autism and ADHD
  • Has supervised junior staff / assistances / students

Desirable

  • Postural management and equipment skills and experience
  • Experience of working with children in mainstream, special schools and early years settings Experience of working with Local Educational Authorities (LEAs

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

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust

Address

Crystal Children's Development Centre

malling close

London

CR0 7YD


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust

Address

Crystal Children's Development Centre

malling close

London

CR0 7YD


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Childrens Occupational Therapy Manager

Shanice Welds

shanice.welds@nhs.net

02082746854

Details

Date posted

20 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£53,751 to £60,651 a year pro rata pa incl of HCAS (outer)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

199-7737557-RB-NP

Job locations

Crystal Children's Development Centre

malling close

London

CR0 7YD


Supporting documents

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