Cognus Limited

Band 5 Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 02 January 2026

Job summary

Are you looking for a job in paediatric practice?

Do you want to be part of a large trans-disciplinary team of dedicated teaching staff, occupational therapists, speech & language therapists and wellbeing practitioners helping children aged 4-19 years with complex needs?

Do you have a passion for working with children, a growth mindset and are confident, enthusiastic, calm, and adaptable? We welcome you to apply to join our team.

About us:

Sherwood Foundation School is an all age foundation special school, which consists of three campuses:

  • Sherwood Park Campus in Wallington, which provides for pupils whose primary needs are profound and multiple learning disabilities and severe learning disabilities.
  • Sherwood Hill Campus in Carshalton, which provides for pupils where their diagnosis of Autism has a significant or profound impact on their learning and/ or social and emotional skills, affecting their capacity to cope across daily activities.
  • Sherwood Manor Campus in Wallington is for secondary aged students and primarily for autistic learners as well as some with moderate learning difficulties many of whom have additional differences and complexities.

Main duties of the job

Sherwood Foundation School prides itself on its individualised, trans-disciplinary approach to learning; with the child/ young person and their family at the heart of our practice. We are dedicated to using strengths based, relationship focused, person-centred practices to support the learning and growth of our pupils. We aim to create a school culture and learning environment that facilitates the active engagement and participation of our learners, using motivating and meaningful activities that support the development of regulation, communication, social skills, cognitive abilities and life skills in preparation for adulthood.

We have an exciting opportunity to invite applications from Band 5 therapists, who wish to develop their knowledge, experience and their expertise within a dedicated and supportive team. Clinical supervision, managerial supervision and opportunities for Continuing Professional Development are provided.

About us

Cognus Therapies is a thriving multidisciplinary team of Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, and Therapy Assistants who support children and young people in schools, colleges, bases and specialist provisions within the London Borough of Sutton and surrounding boroughs. We work with children and young people aged 4 to 25 years of age, across Primary, Secondary and Post-16 provisions, with a variety of special educational needs, e.g. Autism, Global Developmental Delay, Hearing Impairment, Down Syndrome, PMLD, MLD and many more. We encourage all our therapists to gain experience and expertise across a range of specialisms.

Cognus Therapies forms part of the Cognus Limited provision for special educational needs within the London Borough of Sutton.

Details

Date posted

17 November 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£35,073.92 to £44,026.66 a year Including HCAS, pro rata for term time only

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working, Term time hours

Reference number

N0016-25-0012

Job locations

Sherwood Hill Campus School

Stanley Park Road

Carshalton

Surrey

SM5 3HW


Cognus Ltd

Railway Approach

Wallington

Surrey

SM6 0DZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

POSITION - Paediatric Occupational Therapist

DIVISION - Cognus Therapies

BUSINESS UNIT - Cognus Occupational Therapy Service

REPORTS TO - Therapy Lead Occupational Therapist

RESPONSIBLE FOR - Overseeing therapy provision for pupils with occupational therapy needs in mainstream settings and/ or Specialist SEN provisions / bases / POST-16

Liaising with Head Teachers, SENDCos, staff and parents to promote best outcomes

GRADE/PAY -Band 5, Occupational Therapist, Salary: £35,073.92- £44,026.66 (FTE) (including HCAS)

LOCATIONS - London Borough of Sutton, Sherwood Foundation School, Sherwood Hill Campus and Sherwood Park Campus

1. JOB SUMMARY:

Work within a multidisciplinary team of occupational therapists and speech and language therapists

Have the opportunity to work in schools, colleges, bases and / or specialist provisions across the London Borough of Sutton

Work with children and young people aged 4 to 25 years (often working within a specific age range, e.g. Primary)

Support local schools / settings to support children and young people with Occupational Therapy Needs

Work with children and young people who have a range of special educational needs (e.g. Autism, Hearing Impairment, Developmental Language Disorder, Down Syndrome, PMLD, MLD, SLCN)

Manage own caseload with support, to ensure intended outcomes are delivered within agreed service standards

2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

To personally undertake a caseload to include:

Visiting children and young people at their educational setting

Completing assessments with children and young people

Delivering therapy programmes to individuals or small groups

Offering advice and support to parents / carers and teaching staff

Maintaining all records to a high standard

Specific Duties:

Provide advice and support to school staff

Use screening and assessment tools (formal and informal assessments)

Prioritise new referrals, with support

Complete case histories to gather relevant information

Write reports based on assessment information

Make onward referrals, with support

Liaise with all professionals involved

Liaise with parents / carers and school staff to work collaboratively

Contribute to professional advice regarding statutory assessments (Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments)

Contribute to professional advice for Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) annual reviews

Complete duties for both London Borough of Sutton and out of borough (when requested)

Monitor and record the child or young persons progress towards their outcomes and targets

Attend team meetings

Attend clinical supervision

Attend managerial supervision

Training and Development Responsibility:

Promote Evidence Based Practise and embed this into professional activities, e.g. delivery of therapy

Embed legislative change and key developments with support from the team

Participate in clinical audits, service development activities and research as and when required

Engage in CPD activities

Comply with the Cognus Limited mandatory training requirements

Plan, deliver and evaluate training sessions for educational provisions, with support

GENERIC OBJECTIVES:

Contribute to Cognus Limiteds business objectives at the appropriate level by ensuring every child matters and has access to education and learning opportunities, including:

a) Health and safety

b) Safeguarding and protection of children

c) Equal opportunities and management of diversity

d) Data protection

e) Outstanding Customer care

GENERAL:

SAFER RECRUITMENT:

Cognus is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that it works with. An offer of employment is subject to safer recruitment practices which include an enhanced DBS check, two professional references acceptable to Cognus Limited, proof of qualifications, proof of right to work in the UK, proof of personal address and employment history covering 5 years and, fitness to work with children (occupational health assessment). These checks must have been completed prior to commencement of employment. We have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across the organisation.

PROCESSING OF DATA:

a) You (the employee) consent to the holding and processing of personal data provided by you to the Company (the Company) for all purposes relating to your employment, but not limited to administering and maintaining personnel records, paying and reviewing salary and other remuneration and benefits, undertaking performance appraisals and reviews, the compulsory Disclosure and Baring Services check (DBS) details in line with its statutory responsibility to safeguard and protect children and vulnerable service users; maintaining sickness and other absence records and taking decisions as to your fitness for work.

b) You hereby acknowledge and agree that the Company may, in the course of its general and statutory duties as an employer be required to disclose personal data relating to you for legislative purposes during or after the end of your employment. This does not affect your statutory rights under the General Data Protection Regulation 2018.

CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT:

a) During the course of your employment, you will have access to and knowledge of Company confidential information and trade secrets.

b) Disclosure of any of this confidential information and/or trade secrets could have serious financial consequences and/or create serious competitive disadvantages for the Company. There may be material damage, financial or otherwise, deliberate or otherwise, to the Companys legitimate business interest.

c) Under the terms of this confidentiality agreement, you agree to keep secret and shall not at any time, either during employment or post-employment, use, communicate or reveal to any person any trade secret or confidential information relating to the Company or any Associated Company.

d) You are aware of the Companys policies in relation to compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation and undertake to act in accordance with these at all times. Any breach of these policies will be dealt with under the Companys disciplinary procedure and action taken can include dismissal without notice.

This job description and person specification outlines the summary of key accountabilities and is not an exhaustive list of duties and, is subject to periodical review and changes in line with the business needs.

Job description

Job responsibilities

POSITION - Paediatric Occupational Therapist

DIVISION - Cognus Therapies

BUSINESS UNIT - Cognus Occupational Therapy Service

REPORTS TO - Therapy Lead Occupational Therapist

RESPONSIBLE FOR - Overseeing therapy provision for pupils with occupational therapy needs in mainstream settings and/ or Specialist SEN provisions / bases / POST-16

Liaising with Head Teachers, SENDCos, staff and parents to promote best outcomes

GRADE/PAY -Band 5, Occupational Therapist, Salary: £35,073.92- £44,026.66 (FTE) (including HCAS)

LOCATIONS - London Borough of Sutton, Sherwood Foundation School, Sherwood Hill Campus and Sherwood Park Campus

1. JOB SUMMARY:

Work within a multidisciplinary team of occupational therapists and speech and language therapists

Have the opportunity to work in schools, colleges, bases and / or specialist provisions across the London Borough of Sutton

Work with children and young people aged 4 to 25 years (often working within a specific age range, e.g. Primary)

Support local schools / settings to support children and young people with Occupational Therapy Needs

Work with children and young people who have a range of special educational needs (e.g. Autism, Hearing Impairment, Developmental Language Disorder, Down Syndrome, PMLD, MLD, SLCN)

Manage own caseload with support, to ensure intended outcomes are delivered within agreed service standards

2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

To personally undertake a caseload to include:

Visiting children and young people at their educational setting

Completing assessments with children and young people

Delivering therapy programmes to individuals or small groups

Offering advice and support to parents / carers and teaching staff

Maintaining all records to a high standard

Specific Duties:

Provide advice and support to school staff

Use screening and assessment tools (formal and informal assessments)

Prioritise new referrals, with support

Complete case histories to gather relevant information

Write reports based on assessment information

Make onward referrals, with support

Liaise with all professionals involved

Liaise with parents / carers and school staff to work collaboratively

Contribute to professional advice regarding statutory assessments (Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments)

Contribute to professional advice for Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) annual reviews

Complete duties for both London Borough of Sutton and out of borough (when requested)

Monitor and record the child or young persons progress towards their outcomes and targets

Attend team meetings

Attend clinical supervision

Attend managerial supervision

Training and Development Responsibility:

Promote Evidence Based Practise and embed this into professional activities, e.g. delivery of therapy

Embed legislative change and key developments with support from the team

Participate in clinical audits, service development activities and research as and when required

Engage in CPD activities

Comply with the Cognus Limited mandatory training requirements

Plan, deliver and evaluate training sessions for educational provisions, with support

GENERIC OBJECTIVES:

Contribute to Cognus Limiteds business objectives at the appropriate level by ensuring every child matters and has access to education and learning opportunities, including:

a) Health and safety

b) Safeguarding and protection of children

c) Equal opportunities and management of diversity

d) Data protection

e) Outstanding Customer care

GENERAL:

SAFER RECRUITMENT:

Cognus is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that it works with. An offer of employment is subject to safer recruitment practices which include an enhanced DBS check, two professional references acceptable to Cognus Limited, proof of qualifications, proof of right to work in the UK, proof of personal address and employment history covering 5 years and, fitness to work with children (occupational health assessment). These checks must have been completed prior to commencement of employment. We have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across the organisation.

PROCESSING OF DATA:

a) You (the employee) consent to the holding and processing of personal data provided by you to the Company (the Company) for all purposes relating to your employment, but not limited to administering and maintaining personnel records, paying and reviewing salary and other remuneration and benefits, undertaking performance appraisals and reviews, the compulsory Disclosure and Baring Services check (DBS) details in line with its statutory responsibility to safeguard and protect children and vulnerable service users; maintaining sickness and other absence records and taking decisions as to your fitness for work.

b) You hereby acknowledge and agree that the Company may, in the course of its general and statutory duties as an employer be required to disclose personal data relating to you for legislative purposes during or after the end of your employment. This does not affect your statutory rights under the General Data Protection Regulation 2018.

CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT:

a) During the course of your employment, you will have access to and knowledge of Company confidential information and trade secrets.

b) Disclosure of any of this confidential information and/or trade secrets could have serious financial consequences and/or create serious competitive disadvantages for the Company. There may be material damage, financial or otherwise, deliberate or otherwise, to the Companys legitimate business interest.

c) Under the terms of this confidentiality agreement, you agree to keep secret and shall not at any time, either during employment or post-employment, use, communicate or reveal to any person any trade secret or confidential information relating to the Company or any Associated Company.

d) You are aware of the Companys policies in relation to compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation and undertake to act in accordance with these at all times. Any breach of these policies will be dealt with under the Companys disciplinary procedure and action taken can include dismissal without notice.

This job description and person specification outlines the summary of key accountabilities and is not an exhaustive list of duties and, is subject to periodical review and changes in line with the business needs.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent in Occupational Therapy;
  • Relevant qualifications including registration with HCPC and RCOT;
  • Knowledge of relevant assessment tools and therapy interventions;
  • Excellent organisational skills;
  • Excellent ICT skills, e.g. using spreadsheets and recording notes electronically;
  • Ability to work collaboratively and in partnership with other professionals;
  • Adherence to RCOT and HCPC policies and procedures;
  • Committed to safeguarding and protection of children;
  • Honours and upholds the Companys Equal Opportunity Policy, Dignity at Work Policy, Safeguarding and Protection of Children, Health and Safety and Data Protection Policy at all times

Desirable

  • Ability to prioritise and deliver results to a high standard;
  • Experience of working in educational settings;
  • Experience as a paediatric occupational therapist
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent in Occupational Therapy;
  • Relevant qualifications including registration with HCPC and RCOT;
  • Knowledge of relevant assessment tools and therapy interventions;
  • Excellent organisational skills;
  • Excellent ICT skills, e.g. using spreadsheets and recording notes electronically;
  • Ability to work collaboratively and in partnership with other professionals;
  • Adherence to RCOT and HCPC policies and procedures;
  • Committed to safeguarding and protection of children;
  • Honours and upholds the Companys Equal Opportunity Policy, Dignity at Work Policy, Safeguarding and Protection of Children, Health and Safety and Data Protection Policy at all times

Desirable

  • Ability to prioritise and deliver results to a high standard;
  • Experience of working in educational settings;
  • Experience as a paediatric occupational therapist

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

Cognus Limited

Address

Sherwood Hill Campus School

Stanley Park Road

Carshalton

Surrey

SM5 3HW


Employer's website

https://cognus.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Cognus Limited

Address

Sherwood Hill Campus School

Stanley Park Road

Carshalton

Surrey

SM5 3HW


Employer's website

https://cognus.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead OT at Sherwood Hill Campus

Kelinka Bipath

kelinka.bipath@cognus.org.uk

+442083230450

Details

Date posted

17 November 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£35,073.92 to £44,026.66 a year Including HCAS, pro rata for term time only

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working, Term time hours

Reference number

N0016-25-0012

Job locations

Sherwood Hill Campus School

Stanley Park Road

Carshalton

Surrey

SM5 3HW


Cognus Ltd

Railway Approach

Wallington

Surrey

SM6 0DZ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Cognus Limited's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)