Job summary
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS FT, 1.0wte (37.5hrs) B6 Childrens Occupational Therapist (OT)
Due to increased investment, we have a new post to support children and young people with sensory differences.
This role will improve the quality of life for children and young people (CYP) across South Tyneside and Sunderland. This role will be responsible for the roll out of a Sensory programme across South Tyneside & Sunderland. The focus is on
early identification and meeting need earlier to prevent escalation of needs and behaviours.
upskilling both parent carers and the wider children's workforce to be able to better recognise and support behaviours created by sensory issues.
The role will support young people to develop effective sensory strategies to provide them with the best possible learning experience and outcomes, alongside enabling carers and education providers to increase their knowledge, confidence and understanding in this complex area. The role will also include undertaking direct assessments and providing interventions for children who are experiencing challenges or barriers to their participation and engagement in learning primarily due to sensory or motor difficulties.
You will be a key part of our Childrens Occupational Therapy Team. You will be well supported by the OT team to develop your skills and access CPD. You will work within our Childrens Integrated Therapy Service alongside Speech and Language Therapists and Physiotherapists.
Main duties of the job
You will work across South Tyneside and Sunderland in clinic, home and education settings. You will be motivated to support children to achieve their best outcomes. Experience of team working is essential. You will be joining a team of OTs who are working together to develop services and improve outcomes for children. You will be part of a wider Therapies Directorate and part of a Trust that is keen to develop and support staff through supervision and CPD. You will be supported to work innovatively as we take the agenda for Childrens OT forward in line with current national and clinical drivers.
Key duties will include:
Providing specialist OT advice with an emphasis on supporting children with sensory differences and difficulties
Developing and implementing resources and provide strategies to implemented within school/home settings.
Providing effective and appropriate delivery of specialist training sessions to education staff and carers relating to the management and understanding of sensory difficulties.
Providing strategies and advice to enable CYP to engage more effectively in education and support education providers to consider any environmental adjustments.
Supporting regular monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the role, service delivery and the interventions it provides using clear statistical and documented outcome measures.
To find out more info contact: Georgina Sinclair-James, Clinical Led Occupational Therapist georgina.sinclairjames@nhs.net 0191 5699123
About us
Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.
One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.
We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.
The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.
Details
- Date posted: 10 July 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 6
- Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference number: C9155-CSAHP-0726-31
- Job locations: Children's Centre, Durham Road, Sunderland, SR3 4AG, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
To assist in the Childrens Occupational Therapy Team Services aim of promoting Childrens and Young Peoples health and well-being, through delivering therapy to enabling attainment of greater functional performance and promoting active participation and social inclusion in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
To deliver Parent Sensory Training Groups alongside individual and school-based interventions. To develop digital resources to support the programmes.
To work collaboratively with other providers of therapeutic interventions for children & young people to develop a holistic approach to meeting identified need; this include but is not limited to Speech & Language, Mental Health Support Teams, Getting Help services, 0-19 team.
Within service protocols and through applying the principles of Clinical Governance, to assess and treat children with a physical, learning or developmental difficulties working within a multidisciplinary team.
PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE
Person specification
Skills
Essential
- 1.Demonstrate skills in specialist assessment, diagnosis and development of care plans, where clients have highly complex needs.
- 2.Ability to assess for and identify equipment needs
- 3.To be able to communicate highly complex and sensitive condition related information to clients/carers, multidisciplinary team members, other professionals often in the face of hostility and/or antagonism.
- 4.Good interpersonal and communication skills including observational, listening & empathy skills.
- 5.Proven analytical, judgement & reflective skills.
- 6.Proven organisational and planning skills.
- 7.Good presentation skills, both verbal & written
- 8.Ability to influence, motivate and facilitate development in others.
- 9.Time management and prioritisation skills. Ability to work to deadlines eg EHCP process
- 10.Evidence of leadership skills as well as ability to be a successful team member
- 11.A good level of skill in complex information processing of information / facts that require analysis, interpretation and where a comparison of a range of options at a service and clinical level is necessary.
- 12.Skilled in contributing successfully to clinical teams for development of client care.
- 13.Able to introduce innovative practice impacting on policy / service beyond own area of activity / Organisation.
- 14.Developed negotiation & problem-solving skills within complex situations, & ability to facilitate these skills in others.
- 15.Ability to assimilate, synthesise & present complex information / facts that require analysis, interpretation, and comparison of a range of options at a service & clinical level.
Experience
Essential
- 1.Experience within Paediatric Occupational therapy incorporating experience within a range of specialisms within Paediatric Occupational therapy.
- 2.Experience of completing sensory profiles with children and other informal sensory based assessments
- 3.Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team
- 4.Experience of working with children and their families in a therapeutic environment
- 5.Awareness of the range of relevant standardised formal and informal assessments and therapy approaches for client groups within this specialist service area.
- 6.Experience of supervising all levels of qualified Occupational therapy staff, assistants and students
- 7.Experience in designing and delivering training and education programmes to other professionals/ students/ parents.
- 8.Training and experience in staff and student supervision.
Desirable
- Some management/leadership experience
- Experience in the use of and interpretation of the relevant standardised formal and informal assessments and therapy approaches for client groups within this specialist service areas.
- Some experience of policy / practice development in specialist area.
Qualifications
Essential
- 1.Degree in Occupational therapy
- 2.Evidence of extensive CPD and up to date knowledge within Paediatrics achieved through post-graduate, specialist, advanced short courses
- 3.Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- 4.Knowledge of child development and paediatric conditions
- 5.Have completed, or be working toward, RCOT-accredited Sensory Integration Level 13 training.
- 6.Knowledge of approaches for supporting children with autism
- 7.Knowledge of current guidelines and best practice for supporting children with sensory differences and difficulties
- 8.Knowledge of some specialist assessment tools relevant to Paediatric Occupational therapy
- 9.Knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic assessments and interventions & an ability to compare & contrast relative benefits.
- 10.Knowledge of safeguarding issues
- 11.Knowledge of the structure and functioning of the NHS, and how the trust fits into the wider picture
- 12.Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/ audit/ research
- 13.Understanding of the roles of other professionals & the principles of partnership-working with key stake holders
- 14.Knowledge of standards of record keeping and ability to monitor and audit this in own team.
Desirable
- Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists
- Knowledge of national and local policies & procedures relevant to health, social services & education and areas of responsibility
- Attendance at management and leadership training to include and not exhaustive of short courses on a range of management and HR issues
Physical Skills
Essential
- 1.Ability to motivate staff and sustain developments.
- 2.Ability to sustain prolonged positions and the physical demands of the role.
- 3.Ability and knowledge of the moving and handling requirements of the role
- 4.Ability to sustain intense concentration on a frequent basis in all aspects of service and client management
- 5.Requirement for speed and accuracy with keyboard skills,
- 6.Ability to carry out the travel demands of the job between sites and within the community
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This advert is for Specialist Children's Occupational Therapist with South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS FT in Sunderland, North East and Yorkshire, England. It is listed as a Band 6 Occupational Therapist role. The advertised salary is £39,959 to £48,117 a year. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 24 Jul 2026.
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