Job overview

Do you enjoy therapeutic play? Ever built an obstacle course across a desert… in a school hall? Or served tea to a pirate on a secret island? Imagination is a powerful tool – and in children’s occupational therapy, it can change lives. If you’re passionate about enabling children and young people to develop independence in self-care, education, and play, this could be the creative and rewarding role you’ve been looking for.

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated Band 5 Occupational Therapist to join our innovative, community-based Children’s Occupational Therapy team. You’ll work with children and young people school aged-leaving age across Buckinghamshire, in settings schools and occasionally at home.

Our service is varied and dynamic – you’ll have the chance to develop specialist skills in areas such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Sensory Integration (SI), equipment provision, and more. We work closely with social care occupational therapists, collaborating on joint assessments and home adaptations.

Main duties of the job

• Assess and deliver occupational therapy to children in a variety of settings, including mainstream schools, with a focus on those with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
• Support children with a range of needs, including Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), ASD, and perceptual difficulties.
• Plan and implement creative, purposeful activities to support development and independence.
• Work as part of a large, supportive team of paediatric occupational therapists.
• Supervise therapy support workers and students.

• HCPC registered Occupational Therapist.
• Experience in paediatrics (as a student or post-qualification) is desirable but not essential.
• Knowledge of assessing and supporting children with physical, sensory, and developmental needs.
• Ability to adapt to different environments and manage a varied caseload.
• A commitment to team working, continuous learning, and family-centred care.
• Regular supervision and strong peer support.
• Excellent opportunities for continuing professional development, including internal and external training.
• A varied caseload with opportunities to specialise.
• A collaborative, friendly working environment where creativity is encouraged.

Working for our organisation

 Why colleagues think we are "a great place to work!"

What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?

As part of our BHT family, you’ll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.

Alongside NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme, you'll have access to NHS discount schemes. 

We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.

What do we stand for?

Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.

Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.

We are working hard to increase diversity at all levels within the trust. We believe a diverse workforce can have a positive effect on both staff wellbeing and patient outcomes.

We welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, candidates with disabilities and care-experienced candidates.

We are proud to achieve the Gold award for the Armed Forces Covenant and support applications from the Armed Forces Community. Please contact [email protected] (our Armed Forces Covenant Lead) if you would like guidance or assistance with your application.

We make employment decisions by matching our service needs with the skills and experience of candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.