Paediatric Occupational Therapist

Paediatric Occupational Therapist Closing date: 13 January 2026 The Paediatric Therapy Team is a forward-thinking integrated team providing therapy services (Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech and Language Therapy) to children and families in Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde; we also work closely with the children's community nursing team. Currently we have an exciting opportunity for an occupational therapist (OT) with paediatric experience to join our friendly, supportive, and well-established team as a Band 6 paediatric occupational therapist on a 12 month fixed term basis. Services are provided within a range of locations to meet the needs of the child and family. These include schools, children's centres, the child's home, clinics and child development centres. We are currently looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic and motivated occupational therapist who is committed to the development of paediatric services. It would be an advantage if prospective candidates have (i) a working knowledge of formal and informal assessments for children & young people (ii) some knowledge or experience of assessment / recommendation for home adaptations and (iii) a current knowledge of a range of paediatric equipment. Main duties of the job The paediatric OT team delivers high quality OT input to children and young people aged 0-19 years with a range of chronic, complex, disabling and possibly life-threatening conditions. The team has a strong commitment to working collaboratively with all appropriate agencies to provide the highest standard of care to children and their families. This post will allow you to use and further develop your skills within a range of settings, which may include our Child Development Centre, special schools, mainstream schools, nurseries, other Early Years settings and community clinics and health centres. You will receive excellent clinical support from experienced Band 7 therapists and will be well supported on a day-to-day basis by very experienced assistant practioners. You will be based at St Anne's Primary Care Centre alongside colleagues from various health professions. You can expect to be well supported via various routes including Trust induction, local team induction programme, clinical supervision, Paediatric OT Team meetings, Appraisal / Personal Development Review / Personal Development Plan etc. Job responsibilities To undertake skilled assessment and clinical diagnosis of children and/or adolescents using a range of highly specialist standardised assessments and clinical observation skills. To provide occupational therapy treatment intervention in a variety of environments including home, school, clinic, and other premises in the community. To provide treatment on an individual basis or in a group setting, according to the assessed needs. To demonstrate safe therapeutic manual handling skills continually assessing the frequently changing levels of risks involved. To prescribe specialist moving & handling equipment, demonstrate its safe use to carers, providing training where required and completing relevant risk assessment documentation, which may include that from other agencies e.g., Education and/or Social Care. To provide advice in formulation of a medical diagnosis and to support the family through this process. To formulate agreed specialist individual treatment plans and goals based on clinical reasoning skills. To alter and revise planned interventions as a result of changes in an individuals level of function or circumstances, using clinical reasoning skills. To accept clinical responsibility for the management of a specific paediatric caseload, to assess and review level of need and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and time management with guidance from a more senior therapist. To assess for, trial and prescribe, specialist, non-stock items of equipment from specialist suppliers. To assess / provide recommendations for home adaptations for children on the paediatric OT community caseload who present with a variety of clinical conditions. To provide planned specialist advice, teaching and instruction to parents, carers and other relevant professionals in health, social and educational services, to promote understanding of the aims of occupational therapy and to ensure a consistent, coordinated approach to optimise patient care. To provide advice for Statutory Assessment of Special Educational Needs and child specific advice for Educational Manual Handling Risk Assessments. To provide specialist advice and peer support to health, social care and educational colleagues in the overall management of the child presenting with complex problems in a range of community settings. This will include the preparation and presentation of reports at relevant Social Care, Educational and Medical Case Conferences. To work collaboratively with multi-agency professionals to develop comprehensive support packages for children and their families living with complex disabling conditions, ensuring appropriate service provision in response to changing clinical and/or social situations There is support available from integrated team colleagues as well as admin staff and Technical instructors. You will need to be a car driver or have suitable transport arrangements to enable you to undertake the essential travel within this role. Person Specification Education & Qualification Graduate Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy Member of HCPC State Registration Experience & Knowledge Minimum 2 years experience working with children within an OT role Experience working within a community setting Skills & Ability Experience of supporting junior staff Experience of delivering training to colleagues in health and/or other agencies. Strong knowledge of current best practice Demonstrable knowledge of a wide range of paediatric therapy assessment and intervention Knowledge and practical experience of manual handling including paediatric equipment Sound understanding of professional conduct and confidentiality Portfolio of documented evidence of CPD In depth knowledge of paediatric conditions and / or treatment Ability to relate theory to clinical situations Strong clinical planning and organizational skills Excellent verbal and written communication skills Flexibility Quick thinking Ability to negotiate Car owner/driver or suitable transport arrangements for you to be able to undertake the job Sound awareness of relevant legislation, eligibility criteria / policies and procedures Experience of research, audit, reflective practice or outcome measures 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. Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust £38,682 to £46,580 a year pro rata per annum #J-18808-Ljbffr