Occupational Therapist | Specialist SEMH School | Hillingdon, West London
£170–£260 per day PAYE | Full Time | Term Time Only | Temp to Perm
What if your clinical expertise could help a young person feel more regulated, independent and ready to engage with education?
For young people with social, emotional and mental health needs, occupational therapy can make a significant difference to how they experience school.
Parker Smith Inclusion is working with a specialist SEND school in Hillingdon supporting secondary-aged pupils with SEMH and a range of additional needs, including autism, ADHD, communication difficulties and associated complex needs.
They are looking for an Occupational Therapist who can bring a practical, therapeutic approach to supporting young people who may have previously found education challenging.
About the role
As an Occupational Therapist, you will work directly with young people to understand the barriers affecting their participation, independence and engagement with learning.
You will work closely with teaching staff, support staff and other professionals, ensuring occupational therapy strategies are not limited to individual sessions but embedded throughout the school day.
Your work may include sensory processing, emotional regulation, motor skills, functional development, independence and supporting young people to access everyday activities within the school environment.
The setting
This is a specialist secondary SEND setting supporting young people with SEMH and additional needs.
The school takes a therapeutic and individualised approach to education, recognising that behaviour and disengagement can often communicate an underlying need.
There is a strong emphasis on helping pupils develop confidence, emotional regulation, positive relationships and the practical skills they need for greater independence beyond school.
You will be joining a setting where education and therapeutic support work closely together.
The role
As the Occupational Therapist, you will:
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Complete occupational therapy assessments and identify individual needs
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Develop and deliver appropriate intervention programmes
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Support sensory processing and emotional regulation
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Help pupils develop functional skills, independence and confidence
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Identify barriers affecting participation and engagement with learning
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Provide practical strategies for teachers and support staff
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Work collaboratively with families and other professionals
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Contribute towards EHCP outcomes and annual reviews
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Monitor progress and adapt interventions appropriately
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Support staff to embed occupational therapy strategies throughout the school day
Who we are looking for
We are looking for an Occupational Therapist who understands that progress within a specialist setting can look different for every young person.
You may already have experience within SEND, SEMH, autism, paediatrics or education, or you may be looking to bring your occupational therapy experience into a specialist school environment.
You will ideally be:
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HCPC registered
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Confident completing assessments and developing appropriate interventions
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Comfortable supporting young people with complex and additional needs
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Knowledgeable around sensory processing and regulation
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Able to translate clinical recommendations into practical strategies
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Collaborative and confident working alongside education professionals
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Patient, adaptable and solution-focused
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Passionate about improving outcomes for young people with SEND
Why this role matters
Sometimes the biggest barrier to learning has very little to do with academic ability.
A young person may struggle to regulate their emotions, manage sensory demands, organise themselves, participate in everyday activities or feel comfortable enough to engage.
As an Occupational Therapist, you can help identify what is getting in the way and provide practical strategies that make school feel more manageable.
The impact can be significant: greater independence, improved engagement, increased confidence and a young person who feels better equipped for life beyond education.
What you can expect
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£170–£260 per day PAYE
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Full-time position
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Term-time only
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Temp-to-perm opportunity
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Specialist SEMH/SEND environment
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Collaborative multidisciplinary working
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Opportunity to shape therapeutic support within the school
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Meaningful direct work with young people
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Support from Parker Smith Inclusion throughout the process
Easily commutable from
Hillingdon, West Drayton, Hayes, Uxbridge, Ruislip, Harlington, Southall, Ealing and surrounding West London areas.
Interested?
If you are an Occupational Therapist looking for a role where your clinical expertise can have a genuine impact on a young person's education, independence and future, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today or contact Parker Smith Inclusion to discuss the opportunity in more detail.
Occupational Therapist, OT, Paediatric Occupational Therapist, SEN Occupational Therapist, SEND Occupational Therapist, SEMH, SEND, SEN School, Special School, Autism, ASD, ADHD, Sensory Processing, Emotional Regulation, Hillingdon, West London