Specialist Occupational Therapist - Community Paediatric Service, Band 6

Job details

• Branch: Belfast HSCT
• Location: Community Clinics Trustwide
• Salary: Band 6 (£38,682 - £46,580)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 05/08/26
• Closes: Wed, 19 August 2026 @ 4:30 PM
• Interview Dates: To be confirmed

Notes

We 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

Specialist Occupational Therapist –

Community Paediatric Service

BAND

6

LOCATION

Community Clinics- Trust Wide

REPORTS TO

Band 7 Occupational Therapist

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Occupational Therapy Services Assistant Manager

Job Summary/Main Purpose

The post holder will provide a comprehensive Paediatric Occupational Therapy Service for children and young people in various locations across the trust.

The post holder will assist in the day-to-day management and co-ordination of the Occupational Therapy Service and support the various teams depending on service priorities.

The paediatric Occupational Therapy service works across community clinics, special schools, specialist multi-disciplinary teams and acute hospitals

Main Duties / Responsibilities

For each of the following, the post holder will

Clinical

Manage a caseload of clients and be responsible for organising workload in line with the agreed priorities, policies and procedures of the employing authority.

Collaborate with the client, carer, team members and significant others to plan appropriate treatment approaches to achieve the agreed goals.

Provide specialist Occupational Therapy assessment, plan and carry out treatment on either an individual or a group basis as appropriate to their needs.

Carry out specific assessments as required informing subsequent intervention and /or drafting of professional reports.

Continuously evaluate treatment methods used, monitor progress of clients and make adjustments to ensure best possible service is given.

Work with Band 7 Occupational Therapists in co-working of cases and in the organisation and provision of group interventions.

Identify individual requirements for intervention, including specialised equipment provision under guidance of the line manager and where appropriate to action further intervention to meet client’s holistic needs.

Communicate and work jointly with other members in the Multidisciplinary Team(s) to ensure a co-ordinated approach to client care.

Confirm the eligibility of registration of clients under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (NI) Act 1978.

Under guidance of the line manager, make recommendations for minor adaptation needs in accordance with Section 1 & 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (NI) Act 1978 and liaise directly with Housing authorities and other agencies to ensure the correct provision of housing adaptations in terms of design criteria.

Provide support, advice and training where necessary to parents and carers in relation to interventions and programmes that relate to their child.

Participate in the development and delivery of workshops, training sessions for parents, carers and education staff in the delivery of a facilitative model of care.

Contribute to the Education (NI) Order – Statutory Assessment of Children with Special Needs when requested by the Team Lead Occupational Therapist.

Professional

Work as an autonomous practitioner adhering to the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for Occupational Therapists, Professional Standards for Occupational Therapy Practice and Heath and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards

Continually up-date and further develop any clinical skills needed to ensure effective service delivery.

Actively participate in regular professional supervision in order to demonstrate and be accountable for professional performance

Participate in the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust, appraisal system on an annual basis.

Prepare / present appropriate professional reports as required, in a timely manner.

Liaise with other team members, staff of other disciplines and agencies to ensure that effective communication and reporting takes place at all times.

Maintain client treatment records, departmental data collection and returns in line with departmental procedures.

Undertake management of junior staff, unqualified staff/students as directed by line manager to include allocation and monitoring of caseloads.

Participate in undergraduate training as directed by line manager.

Participate in other activities, which would benefit from the application of professional Occupational Therapy e.g. working parties as directed by the line manager.

Contribute to development of policies, protocols and procedures in line with professional and organisational ethos.

Assist in maintaining and reviewing of standards and provision of service

Attend courses / relevant lectures as directed by line manager in order to increase knowledge of specialised techniques, new developments and update clinical information in order to improve professional standards and practices, which would benefit the service to clients and carers and satisfy clinical governance requirements.

Participate in audits both uni-professional and multi-disciplinary as appropriate to service area.

To be aware of the views of service users, including professional staff, clients and carers.

Be prepared to give talks / lectures / demonstrations to Occupational Therapy colleagues and other disciplines / agencies.

Bring to the notice of the line manager any observed shortfall in provision to clients and carers together with any suggested measures to improve or further develop services.

Be responsible for own continuous professional development as required by the Health Professions’ Council.

Managerial

Manage and prioritise patient and non-patient related professional demands

Deputise in managerial position in the absence of the Occupational Therapy Service team lead.

Delegate appropriate responsibility to staff within his/her control and consistent with effective decision making, whilst retaining overall responsibility and accountability for results

Organisational

Be responsible for maintaining accurate and comprehensive treatment notes for patients in own care

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

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

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.

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

Clause: This job description is not meant to be definitive and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND

Specialist Occupational Therapist, Paediatrics- Band 6

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE

Occupational Therapy, Adult Community and Older Peoples Services 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 in Occupational Therapy recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists or a Diploma of the College of Occupational Therapists

Minimum of 2 years’ postgraduate experience

A minimum of six months experience working as an Occupational Therapist with children and young people

Must be HCPC registered.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

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’

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Knowledge Skills / Abilities

Be familiar with the range of Occupational Therapy standardised assessments administered within children’s services

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

Experience Qualifications

Registration

Additional postgraduate training relevant to paediatrics

Experience working in a multidisciplinary team

Experience in providing training to colleagues and service users.

(e.g. Knowledge

Skills

Abilities)

Good communication skills

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