BHSCT_Band 7 Advanced Practitioner Level 1 Occupational Therapist- Special Schools

Job details

• Branch: Belfast HSCT
• Location: Special Schools- Trust Wide
• Salary: Band 7 (£47,810 - £54,710)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 16/05/26
• Closes: Tue, 02 June 2026 @ 4:30 PM
• Interview Dates: To Be Confirmed

Notes

Accept online applications only. “A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026”. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.” Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE

Advanced Practitioner Level 1 Occupational Therapist – Special Schools

BAND

Band 7

LOCATION

Special Schools- Trust Wide

REPORTS TO

Assistant Occupational Therapy Manager

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Occupational Therapy Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will be responsible for the day to day delivery of the Occupational Therapy service across special schools for children with a range of learning difficulties, carrying a clinical caseload and providing a high standard of clinical expertise. The post holder will be responsible for supporting the delivery of Occupational Therapy services within and across Special Schools within the Belfast Area.

The post holder will be expected to ensure that evidence based practice and outcome measures are developed and embedded in the delivery of Occupational Therapy practice in this specialist area.

The post holder will support the development and implementation of care pathways for this client group to ensure standardised models of intervention. The post holder will work with the Assistant Occupational Therapy Manager, Clinical Service Lead and other paediatric team leads in the provision and development of the Special School service and interfaces with community and acute Occupational Therapy teams within the Trust

In response to continued service development, the post holder will be required to undertake flexible working including extended working and seven day working as determined by operational requirements.

Main Duties/Responsibilities

Clinical

To be the Occupational Therapy Clinical Lead within school teams, demonstrating advanced clinical reasoning and expertise in treatment approaches utilised within this specialist area.

To work closely with staff in these schools to prioritise work, allocate and monitor caseloads of staff and mentor and support complex cases

To manage own discrete caseload of clients, using evidence based clinical reasoning to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.

To provide regular support and supervision to staff

To contribute to the Education (NI) Order- Statutory Assessment of Children with Special Educational Needs, when requested by the senior clinical medical officer.

To provide specialist Occupational Therapy advice within the interdisciplinary and interagency teams and to co-ordinate multidisciplinary procedures when required within service e.g. case conference, reviews

To work collaboratively with education staff, parents and carers in the delivery of the Occupational Therapy service in schools.

To demonstrate effective strategies to communicate information in a manner appropriate to the situation, this may be stressful and challenging.

To apply a high level of understanding of the effect of disability and provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to clients social and physical environment.

To oversee the management of provision of wheelchairs for pupils attending the schools and to liaise with the Wheelchair Service, approved repairers, parents

To assess for and advise the Education and Library Board regarding provision of specialized equipment required by individual pupils within the schools in order to facilitate their independence and management in the school environment.

Professional

To be the Occupational Therapy Clinical lead for special schools for children with learning difficulties and associated healthcare needs, liaising with and advising consultants, parents, school staff, professional colleagues and other agencies regarding Occupational Therapy Service.

To practice and promote effective caseload management and efficient/effective use of resources within specialist team

To provide clinical leadership to the Occupational Therapy staff working in these Special schools, undertaking supervision and appraisal to ensure clinical standards and equity of service to all children.

To support the Assistant Occupational Therapy Manager in the provision and development of the service within the Trust.

To inform the Assistant Occupational Therapy Manager of any new developments, issues or problems within the service and their implications on service delivery

To liaise with school principals regarding any issues relevant to Occupational Therapy service.

To undertake fieldwork education of students when required, to give talks, lectures and demonstrations as requested.

To organise and maintain accurate records and tender monthly statistical returns.

To ensure continuing professional development through attendance at relevant meetings, courses and study days as well as personal reading and use of I.T.

To actively participate with In-service training, particularly that organized within the children’s Occupational Therapy team across the BHSCT.

To participate in audits both uni and multi-professional, contributing suggestions for new audits and / or areas for further research and development.

To carry out routine management tasks necessary to the running of the service.

To be involved in the maintenance of equipment and assessing the need for new items / stock where necessary.

To participate in the annual Personal Contribution Framework for self and junior staff.

To adhere to the BHSCT’s various Policies and Procedures.

To carry out any additional duties which are seen to be appropriate by the Occupational Therapy Manager.

Managerial

To participate as directed in management activities for example recruitment and selection of staff, informal grievance and disciplinary issues, performance management.

To manage competing priorities clinically, managerially and professionally to ensure patient care and treatment is carried out in an efficient timely manner, and to support other staff to do likewise.

To deputise as directed by the Assistant Occupational Therapy Manager.

To understand national, regional and trust policies, standards and guidelines related to health and social care in Occupational Therapy practice, so as to support and implement changes in service provision and practice accordingly.

To understand quantitative and qualitative data so as to contribute and participate in the management of changes in service delivery.

To have an active role in developing, contributing, reviewing and updating policies as necessary.

To understand the trust’s complaints procedure and to try to resolve any informal complaints from family, carers and other professionals

Organisational

To be responsible for maintaining accurate and comprehensive treatment notes for patients in own care.

To record patient and non-patient activity data in accordance with professional and Trust standards and produce reports relevant to clinical setting.

To maintain sufficient IT skills for the demands of the job for example, keyboard skills, use of e-mail and Internet.

To adhere to all policies, procedures and guidelines concerning the management and day to day running of the service and the formulation of specific policies, procedures and guidelines in relation to the clinical work areas as necessary.

To ensure adherence at all times to the Trust Health and Safety policies. This will include the on-going identification of risk and the completion of risk assessments.

To be responsible for maintaining stock and advising on resources to carry out the job including small items of equipment. To ensure all staff, including self, comply with departmental and trust policy in ordering, receipt of goods and safe use of equipment.

To contribute to the Occupational Therapy service and Trust wide governance and assurance strategies and programmes.

Such other duties relating to the needs of the service across the trust which may arise from time to time.

General Responsibilities

Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:

At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.

Promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with Belfast Trust’s Whistleblowing Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.

Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy.

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations.

Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their employment.

Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in-service provision.

Maintain high standards of personal accountability.

Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct.

Information Governance

All employees of Belfast Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including for example the ICT Security Policy, Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

For further information on how we use your personal data within HR, please refer to the Privacy Notice available on the HUB or Your HR

Environmental Cleaning Strategy

The Trusts Environmental Cleaning Strategy recognizes the key principle that “Cleanliness matters is everyone’s responsibility, not just the cleaners” Whilst there are staff employed who are responsible for cleaning services, all Trust staff have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment for patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public.

Infection Prevention and Control

The Belfast Trust is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and all staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must comply with all policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control and with ongoing reduction strategies. Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions must be used at all times to ensure the safety of patients and staff.

This includes:-

Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitiser at the appropriate times (WHO ‘5 moments’);

Using the correct ‘7 step’ hand hygiene technique;

Being ‘bare below the elbows’ when in a clinical environment;

Following Trust policies and the Regional Infection Control Manual (found on intranet);

Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);

Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps) and laundry;

Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated appropriately i.e. cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilised;

Ensuring compliance with High Impact Interventions.

Personal Public Involvement

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information.

http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/PPI_leaflet.pdf

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND

Advanced Practitioner Level 1 Occupational Therapist – Schools Band 7

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE

ACOPS and AHP

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note The Organisation reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Qualifications

Registration

Hold a Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy from a school recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Registered with the HCPC

A minimum of 5 years’ postgraduate experience with a minimum of 3 years at Band 6 level.

A minimum of 2 years at Band 6 level working with children with complex learning difficulties and associated conditions.

Evidence of relevant clinical development /post graduate training in relation to children and young people with learning difficulties and associated disabilities, such as Sensory Integration, postural management, upper limb management and splinting etc.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other (e.g. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Driving etc.)

Hold a current full driving licence, which is valid for use in the UK, and have access to a car on appointment. Where disability prohibits driving, this criteria will be waived if the applicant is able to organise suitable alternative arrangements

Experience in postural management of children with complex needs, including the assessment and prescription of specialized seating including wheelchairs.

Experience in assessment of sensory processing and modulation and use of sensory integration theory and application to practice for this client group.

Experience in supervising Occupational Therapy staff and students.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Interview

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Qualifications

Registration

Post graduate Leadership training

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

(e.g. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities)

Experience of representing Occupational Therapy at regional meetings.

Evidence of carrying out service development initiatives.

Experience in delivering bespoke training to parents/ carers/ other agencies

Shortlisting by Application Form

NOTE

Where educational/professional qualifications form part of the criteria you will be required, if shortlisted for interview, to produce original certificates and one photocopy of same issued by the appropriate authority. Only those certificates relevant to the shortlisting criteria should be produced. If educational certificates are not available an original letter and photocopy of same detailing examination results from your school or college will be accepted as an alternative.

If successful you will be required to produce documentary evidence that you are legally entitled to live and work in the United Kingdom. This documentation can be a P45, Payslip, National Insurance Card or a Birth Certificate confirming birth in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland. Failure to produce evidence will result in a non-appointment.

Where a post involves working in regulated activity with vulnerable groups, post holders will be required to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for The Organisation to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

Value Based Recruitment

Values Based Recruitment is a process adopted by the Belfast Trust to attract and select employees on the basis that their individual values and behaviours align with those of the Trust and incorporating the Healthcare Leadership Model.

It focuses on the ‘how’ and ‘why’ people do what they do.

Candidates who are short-listed for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required knowledge, skills, competencies and values to be effective in this new role.

In answering the value based questions, you have the opportunity to share examples of when you have demonstrated values relevant to the Belfast Trust.

Successful applicants

May be required to attend for a Health Assessment

Can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.

THE ORGANISATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times