Job summary
Due to service expansion, there is an exciting opportunity to work as a Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist within the Autism and Intellectual Disabilities- Intensive Intervention Team (AID-IIT), a National and Specialist CAMHS service within the Service for Complex Autism and Associated Neurodevelopmental Disorders (SCAAND). AID-IIT work with young people across London with a diagnosis of autism and/or intellectual disability and complex mental health needs, with an aim to reduce or prevent inpatient admission and support young people to remain in the community.
Our national and specialist CAMHS services have a formidable reputation nationally and internationally and are made up of a broad range of outpatient clinics, and five inpatient units. We have a strong tradition of evidence-based treatment, and are active in clinical research; developing, assessing and implementing effective new treatments such as intensive day treatments for eating disorders.
Our clinical teams are fully committed to multi-disciplinary, comprehensive assessments of young people within their family and social context, taking into account their academic achievements and potential.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will work as a Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist in the AID-IIT Team to lead on occupational therapy input within the team, including offering highly specialist input into MDT assessments, occupational therapy assessment and interventions to young people and parents/carers and consultation, training and support to multi-agency local networks including staff from local and inpatient CAMHS settings, and supervision, line management and support to other occupational therapy staff within the AID-IIT Team. The role includes work across a range of settings - offering work in community settings, inpatient settings, working from home, and working from our clinic base, depending on the needs of the young person, family and network. The role will also involve contributing to service developments within AID-IIT and SCAAND where appropriate.
About us
Maudsley Hospital (headquarters)Our Trust headquarters is located at Denmark Hill, 5 minutes from the train station (zone 2) and is within walking distance from the beautiful green spaces of Ruskin Park and the vibrant high-street that offers great shopping opportunities and with a wide range of restaurants.The Michael Rutter Centre is located on the Maudsley hospital site and is located at Denmark Hill less than 5 minutes from the train station (zone 2). (Due to move to the Pears Maudsley Children and Young People (PMCYP) at the Maudsley Hospital in late 2025/early 2026)
Flexible working:As one of the few Trusts in London we are proud to offer flexible working as part of our new ways of working, and we are happy to talk flexible working at the interview stage. In this role you will be able to work Monday to Friday in the time frames from 9am to 5pm, giving you the very best of good work life balance. (This may include working early mornings, later evenings or Saturdays as part of the core working hours/working pattern for this post)
Job description
Job responsibilities
The postholder will work within the AID-IIT team in close partnership with Orchids and SCAAND occupational therapy colleagues to provide highly specialist occupational therapy assessments, interventions and support within the multi-disciplinary team including:
To offer specialist occupational therapy within the multi-disciplinary team, including offering assessment and intervention to young people with highly complex presentations, their families and wider networks, using evidence based / client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions and liaising with professional networks to offer specialist occupational therapy consultation.
To manage a complex caseload, using evidence based / client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions. To provide clinical leadership for the Band 6 Senior Occupational Therapist in the team, alongside junior staff and students through supervision and training. To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of clinical services using advanced clinical skills and knowledge. To regularly supervise occupational therapy students on practice placement. To provide specialist advice on the assessment and intervention of occupational needs for children/young people with a neurodevelopmental profile. To develop occupational therapy interventions in this specialty undertaking regular audit and R&D activities. To provide training and consultancy for occupational therapy within the specialty. To participate in service development for the service, working with young people with autism spectrum disorder and/or an intellectual disability at imminent risk of inpatient admission in London. To work flexibly as needed across settings offering outreach work when needed for example seeing young people in inpatient settings, family homes, community settings across London as required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The postholder will work within the AID-IIT team in close partnership with Orchids and SCAAND occupational therapy colleagues to provide highly specialist occupational therapy assessments, interventions and support within the multi-disciplinary team including:
To offer specialist occupational therapy within the multi-disciplinary team, including offering assessment and intervention to young people with highly complex presentations, their families and wider networks, using evidence based / client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions and liaising with professional networks to offer specialist occupational therapy consultation.
To manage a complex caseload, using evidence based / client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions. To provide clinical leadership for the Band 6 Senior Occupational Therapist in the team, alongside junior staff and students through supervision and training. To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of clinical services using advanced clinical skills and knowledge. To regularly supervise occupational therapy students on practice placement. To provide specialist advice on the assessment and intervention of occupational needs for children/young people with a neurodevelopmental profile. To develop occupational therapy interventions in this specialty undertaking regular audit and R&D activities. To provide training and consultancy for occupational therapy within the specialty. To participate in service development for the service, working with young people with autism spectrum disorder and/or an intellectual disability at imminent risk of inpatient admission in London. To work flexibly as needed across settings offering outreach work when needed for example seeing young people in inpatient settings, family homes, community settings across London as required.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified and registered Occupational Therapist with HCPC (A)
Desirable
- Postgraduate in sensory integration
- Other postgraduate training relevant to CAMHS
- Membership of OT professional body and / or special interest group (A)
- Specialist training and/or experience in autism assessment measures, including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) (A/I/)
- Management qualification, management training course completion or line management experience
Experience
Essential
- Substantial post registration experience as an occupational therapist (A/I)
- Leadership experience and line management experience Significant post registration experience working with Mental Health service users (A/I)
- Experience assessment and treatment of clients with a range of occupational needs of a complex nature in children with autism spectrum disorders and associated neurodevelopmental conditions, intellectual disabilities and comorbid mental health difficulties (A/I) Extensive clinical experience including individual and group work (A/I)
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with challenging behaviours (A/I)
- Experience of specialist Mental Health settings (A/I)
- Specialised training and/or experience in the diagnosis and treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder. (A/I)
Knowledge/Skills
Essential
- Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders and associated neurodevelopmental conditions intellectual disabilities and comorbid mental health difficulties (A/I)
- Specialist knowledge and application of occupational therapy assessments, interventions, and outcome measures for children and young people with autism and other neurodevelopmental difficulties (A/I)
- To communicate skilfully, accessibly and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including, sensory and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information. (A/I)
- Ability to work autonomously and determine priorities for the occupational therapy/team service (A/I)
- Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles (A/I)
Analytical and Judgemental skills
Essential
- Strategic comprehension: ability to recognise key and underlying issues in complex situations, the immediate long-term implications of decisions to make the interconnections.
- Analytical ability: capacity to process detailed information rapidly.
- Ability to translate complex issues into meaningful actions and to develop others to do so.
- Cultural flexibility: ability to develop an in-depth understanding of a wide range of organisational and community cultures, developing plans and strategies with all stakeholders.
Result orientated and motivation
Essential
- Focused on improvement: acts to improve performance and establish high standards of quality.
- Experience of setting objective measurements and developing and monitoring systems for performance management and improvement
- Has high capacity for concentration and activity, and is outcome orientated.
- Develops others to grow their capacity and potential.
- Inclusivity and cultural sensitivity
Other
Essential
- Ability to work creatively as a leader or a member of a team with internal and external colleagues and stakeholders
- Ability to relate to other people and bring the best out of them.
- Willingness to work flexibly (I)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified and registered Occupational Therapist with HCPC (A)
Desirable
- Postgraduate in sensory integration
- Other postgraduate training relevant to CAMHS
- Membership of OT professional body and / or special interest group (A)
- Specialist training and/or experience in autism assessment measures, including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) (A/I/)
- Management qualification, management training course completion or line management experience
Experience
Essential
- Substantial post registration experience as an occupational therapist (A/I)
- Leadership experience and line management experience Significant post registration experience working with Mental Health service users (A/I)
- Experience assessment and treatment of clients with a range of occupational needs of a complex nature in children with autism spectrum disorders and associated neurodevelopmental conditions, intellectual disabilities and comorbid mental health difficulties (A/I) Extensive clinical experience including individual and group work (A/I)
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with challenging behaviours (A/I)
- Experience of specialist Mental Health settings (A/I)
- Specialised training and/or experience in the diagnosis and treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder. (A/I)
Knowledge/Skills
Essential
- Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders and associated neurodevelopmental conditions intellectual disabilities and comorbid mental health difficulties (A/I)
- Specialist knowledge and application of occupational therapy assessments, interventions, and outcome measures for children and young people with autism and other neurodevelopmental difficulties (A/I)
- To communicate skilfully, accessibly and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including, sensory and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information. (A/I)
- Ability to work autonomously and determine priorities for the occupational therapy/team service (A/I)
- Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles (A/I)
Analytical and Judgemental skills
Essential
- Strategic comprehension: ability to recognise key and underlying issues in complex situations, the immediate long-term implications of decisions to make the interconnections.
- Analytical ability: capacity to process detailed information rapidly.
- Ability to translate complex issues into meaningful actions and to develop others to do so.
- Cultural flexibility: ability to develop an in-depth understanding of a wide range of organisational and community cultures, developing plans and strategies with all stakeholders.
Result orientated and motivation
Essential
- Focused on improvement: acts to improve performance and establish high standards of quality.
- Experience of setting objective measurements and developing and monitoring systems for performance management and improvement
- Has high capacity for concentration and activity, and is outcome orientated.
- Develops others to grow their capacity and potential.
- Inclusivity and cultural sensitivity
Other
Essential
- Ability to work creatively as a leader or a member of a team with internal and external colleagues and stakeholders
- Ability to relate to other people and bring the best out of them.
- Willingness to work flexibly (I)
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.
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).
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
