Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 01 October 2025

Job summary

To provide clinical expertise within the Occupational Therapy team and ensure staff have regular access toeffective clinical leadership (through supervision, training and support) and continual professional developmentwithin this specific clinical area.To be responsible for ensuring the service provides a high quality and evidence based cost effective clinicalservice to children and young people accessing the service and their families in collaboration with ProfessionalLeads, Locality Clinical Managers and Team Leads.To provide a highly specialist lead role and to lead on policy development across the Trust within this specialistclinical area (Infant) and acting as a specialist resources to staff, other professionals and agencies as required.To be responsible for ensuring all team members are working to agreed care pathway(s) relating to specialistclinical area.To be responsible for managing a complex and specialist clinical caseload within the Early Years OT team.

Main duties of the job

The post holder is responsible for:

motivating others to maintain a focus on effective service delivery and continual service development.

ensuring all relevant staff access regular clinical supervision.

ensuring processes for management of referrals, transitions, allocations and caseload review are followed by self and other members of the service.

leading on developing integrated care pathways within the specific clinical specialism and advise Professional Leads and/or Locality Clinical Managers on these developments.

leading on designing and delivering an annual rolling timetable of training to internal and external colleaguesand agencies.

engaging with local service users and stakeholders to ensure service delivery and developments within thespecified clinical area are appropriate to the needs of the local population.

About us

Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we've got a passion for delivering high standards of patient care and excellent services to improve the health of our communities. To do this we need outstanding people who share our values compassionate Aspirational Responsive Excellent

We know a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion leads to better patient care and a happier workforce. We pride ourselves in being diverse and welcome applications from people with varied backgrounds, perspectives and experiences

We ask for information about your protected characteristics on our application forms. This isn't visible to anyone involved with shortlisting or interviewing you, except when you choose to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme due to disability. Short listers will see two ticks alongside your application to ensure they apply the principles of the scheme to your submission

The data we collect helps us to ensure we are attracting diversity in our applicants, that all our colleagues have equitable access to career opportunities and supports us on our journey to being a Great Place to Work

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want you to be able to work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Talk to us about a flexible working arrangement that won't involve sacrificing time for personal interests or family commitments. We'll support you to work flexibly in a way that will suits us both

See where you can go with KCHFTcareer pathways

Details

Date posted

19 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year pro rata per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

846-7484799-EP

Job locations

North West Kent

Maidstone

ME17 4AH


Job description

Job responsibilities

As a community Trust many of our roles require individuals to be able to drive to perform their duties. As such you will be asked to confirm you have a full UK driving licence where driving is a requirement of the role to be able to proceed with your application. We are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities into employment, if you are unable to drive due to a disability, please contact the Recruitment Team via kentchft.recruitment@nhs.net quoting the vacancy reference number so we can support you further.

The job description and person specification gives you all the information you need about this role. Please look carefully at the criteria in the person specification and tell us what you have done that shows you meet this in your application. If you need an application form in an alternative format please let our recruitment team know. All information you supply on your application should, to the best of your knowledge, be true and accurate.

Still have questions? The recruiting manager would love to hear from you, their contact details can be found in the job advert.

We can get a lot of applications for some roles so to be in with the best chance of being shortlisted please make sure you apply as soon as possible. A vacancy may close early if there is a lot of interest in the job.

At KCHFT we strongly encourage colleagues in clinical and non-clinical roles who have direct or social contact with patients to be fully vaccinated. In this way we will be doing all we can to ensure your safety and that of your colleagues and the patients we serve.

Find out more about the community difference here.

Good luck! We cant wait to meet you and welcome you to #teamKCHFT, #cometocommunity.

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a community Trust many of our roles require individuals to be able to drive to perform their duties. As such you will be asked to confirm you have a full UK driving licence where driving is a requirement of the role to be able to proceed with your application. We are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities into employment, if you are unable to drive due to a disability, please contact the Recruitment Team via kentchft.recruitment@nhs.net quoting the vacancy reference number so we can support you further.

The job description and person specification gives you all the information you need about this role. Please look carefully at the criteria in the person specification and tell us what you have done that shows you meet this in your application. If you need an application form in an alternative format please let our recruitment team know. All information you supply on your application should, to the best of your knowledge, be true and accurate.

Still have questions? The recruiting manager would love to hear from you, their contact details can be found in the job advert.

We can get a lot of applications for some roles so to be in with the best chance of being shortlisted please make sure you apply as soon as possible. A vacancy may close early if there is a lot of interest in the job.

At KCHFT we strongly encourage colleagues in clinical and non-clinical roles who have direct or social contact with patients to be fully vaccinated. In this way we will be doing all we can to ensure your safety and that of your colleagues and the patients we serve.

Find out more about the community difference here.

Good luck! We cant wait to meet you and welcome you to #teamKCHFT, #cometocommunity.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered health care professional (HCPC registration)
  • Management or supervisory qualification / programme of study
  • Evidence of Post Graduate Specialist qualifications relevant to specialist area of practice (early years)
  • OT degree

Desirable

  • Training in Education (PGCE or equivalent)
  • Masters or working towards

Experience

Essential

  • Experience in early years OT
  • Supporting others (mentor / educator / supervisor ) experience
  • Practical experience in managing health related projects/complex caseloads
  • Experience in developing policy and service development and change management
  • Experience of leading and managing teams
  • Working with children with neurodiversity

Desirable

  • Experience with the use of Microsoft Office and a variety of IT packages

Specialist Knowledge and Expertise

Essential

  • Understanding of National Service Frameworks and NICE guidance to relevant to care setting and its application across health care services
  • Proven ability to develop effective partnerships to achieve practical outcomes across organisational boundaries including statutory organisations, external agencies, community and voluntary organisations
  • Evidence of continued relevant professional development and implementation in practice within the last 12 months

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to manage time effectively, priorities and work under pressure to meet deadlines, Ability to work effectively with a variety of people at all organisational levels across different sectors including areas of social deprivation
  • Highly developed facilitation skills
  • Strong influencing and negotiating skills
  • Ability to communicate complex, sensitive information to individuals and groups

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to motivate and organise others to ensure best practice.
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Ability to manage and lead change

Ability to Manage

Essential

  • Able to support the implementation of local and national agenda's for health under the guidance of the senior Practitioner
  • Ability to manage own time effectively
  • Ability to prioritise care delivery in a professional manner, taking into account Trust policies and procedures
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered health care professional (HCPC registration)
  • Management or supervisory qualification / programme of study
  • Evidence of Post Graduate Specialist qualifications relevant to specialist area of practice (early years)
  • OT degree

Desirable

  • Training in Education (PGCE or equivalent)
  • Masters or working towards

Experience

Essential

  • Experience in early years OT
  • Supporting others (mentor / educator / supervisor ) experience
  • Practical experience in managing health related projects/complex caseloads
  • Experience in developing policy and service development and change management
  • Experience of leading and managing teams
  • Working with children with neurodiversity

Desirable

  • Experience with the use of Microsoft Office and a variety of IT packages

Specialist Knowledge and Expertise

Essential

  • Understanding of National Service Frameworks and NICE guidance to relevant to care setting and its application across health care services
  • Proven ability to develop effective partnerships to achieve practical outcomes across organisational boundaries including statutory organisations, external agencies, community and voluntary organisations
  • Evidence of continued relevant professional development and implementation in practice within the last 12 months

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to manage time effectively, priorities and work under pressure to meet deadlines, Ability to work effectively with a variety of people at all organisational levels across different sectors including areas of social deprivation
  • Highly developed facilitation skills
  • Strong influencing and negotiating skills
  • Ability to communicate complex, sensitive information to individuals and groups

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to motivate and organise others to ensure best practice.
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Ability to manage and lead change

Ability to Manage

Essential

  • Able to support the implementation of local and national agenda's for health under the guidance of the senior Practitioner
  • Ability to manage own time effectively
  • Ability to prioritise care delivery in a professional manner, taking into account Trust policies and procedures

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).

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.

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).

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

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

North West Kent

Maidstone

ME17 4AH


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

North West Kent

Maidstone

ME17 4AH


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Locality Clinical Manager

Karin Corrigan

kentchft.ctnwkmanagement@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

19 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year pro rata per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

846-7484799-EP

Job locations

North West Kent

Maidstone

ME17 4AH


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)