Band 6 Occupational Therapist – Paediatric SEND Setting
Location: North West London
Contract: Term-time only | Full-time or 4 days per week | Long-term / Locum
Salary: £30,000 – £38,000 annual equivalent (£22.41 – £27 per hour, PAYE only)
Start Date: ASAP
Are you an Occupational Therapist who wants your work to genuinely change how children function, regulate and participate throughout their school day, not just within a therapy slot?
I am recruiting a Band 6 Paediatric Occupational Therapist for a specialist SEND setting in North West London. This role is well suited to a confident Band 6 OT or an experienced Band 5 who is ready to step into greater responsibility within a supportive, child-centred environment.
This is a school-based role where Occupational Therapy is woven into everyday practice. Your expertise will influence classrooms, routines, staff understanding and outcomes for children with complex needs.
The Setting
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Specialist SEND provision supporting primary and secondary aged pupils
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Children with Autism/ASC, SEMH, ADHD and sensory processing differences
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Pupils may present with dysregulation, anxiety, trauma responses and communication needs
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Calm, structured environments designed to support regulation and emotional safety
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Small classes and high staffing ratios enabling meaningful intervention
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Therapy is central to how the setting operates, not an add-on
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Strong multidisciplinary collaboration across education and therapy
The Role
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Hold responsibility for an established paediatric caseload
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Complete functional, holistic assessments linked to daily school participation
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Deliver practical Occupational Therapy interventions with real-world impact
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Support sensory regulation, motor planning, independence and engagement
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Contribute clearly and confidently to EHCP outcomes
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Advise and model strategies for staff to adapt environments and routines
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Work collaboratively with teachers, pastoral teams and fellow therapists
What the Role Is Really Like
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Supporting children whose nervous systems are often overwhelmed
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Helping staff reframe behaviour as communication and unmet need
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Balancing clinical thinking with the realities of busy school days
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Seeing progress through small, meaningful changes that improve daily life
This role can be emotionally demanding, but it is deeply rewarding for therapists who value purpose over pace.
This Role Will Suit You If
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You are HCPC registered with a recognised Occupational Therapy qualification
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You have paediatric experience within SEN, schools, NHS or private practice
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You understand autism, sensory regulation and neurodevelopment
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You are reflective, organised and confident in your clinical reasoning
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You enjoy collaborative working and influencing wider practice
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You are genuinely committed to SEND, not simply exploring options
Sensory Integration training is desirable but not essential. A willingness to develop specialist skills and embed therapy into education is essential.