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Senior Children’s Occupational Therapist

Brief Job Overview

Location: Blackburn with Darwen Council – Blackburn

Area: Lancashire Social Services

Salary: £36 per hour

Job Type: Locum

Contract Length: Ongoing, initially 3 months with the possibility of extension

Tripod Partners are recruiting for an enthusiastic, experienced and highly motivated Senior Children’s Occupational Therapist to join the Children’s Occupational Therapy Service at Blackburn with Darwen Council. This is an excellent opportunity to support children and young people aged 0–19 years with complex disabilities and additional needs, helping them maximise their independence, participation and quality of life.

The successful candidate will bring substantial experience in children’s Occupational Therapy, with the confidence to assess and support children with physical disabilities, complex medical needs, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), neurodiverse conditions, developmental coordination difficulties and complex moving and handling requirements.

You will undertake holistic assessments across home and educational environments, recommend specialist equipment and adaptations, and work collaboratively with families, schools, health professionals, social care colleagues and housing specialists to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess children and young people aged 0–19 years with complex disabilities and additional needs.
• Undertake holistic Occupational Therapy assessments within home and school environments to evaluate functional abilities and identify environmental barriers.
• Support children with physical disabilities, complex medical needs, ASD, neurodiverse conditions and developmental coordination difficulties.
• Provide specialist advice and recommendations regarding appropriate equipment and adaptations.
• Complete complex moving and handling assessments and develop safe moving and handling plans.
• Recommend, source and review specialist equipment to support daily living, postural management and access requirements.
• Assess for major and minor adaptations within the home environment.
• Work closely with children, young people, families, education providers, health professionals and social care colleagues.
• Liaise with surveyors, architects and adaptation teams regarding housing adaptations and associated requirements.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary assessments, meetings and coordinated care planning.
• Prepare clear assessment reports and professional recommendations to support appropriate equipment provision and adaptation decisions.
• Promote independence, participation and safe access to everyday activities across home and educational settings.

About You

We are looking for a confident and experienced Senior Children’s Occupational Therapist who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with complex needs. You will have substantial post-registration experience within children’s Occupational Therapy services and be able to manage complex assessments with professional autonomy.

You will have a strong understanding of specialist equipment, moving and handling interventions and housing adaptations, including the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) process. You will also be comfortable working across home and school environments and collaborating with families, education providers, housing professionals and multidisciplinary colleagues.

Excellent communication, organisation and report-writing skills are essential, alongside a commitment to delivering person-centred Occupational Therapy interventions that promote independence, safety and participation.

Requirements

• Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy.
• Current Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration.
• Significant post-registration experience within a children’s Occupational Therapy setting.
• Experience working with children with physical disabilities, autism and neurodiverse conditions.
• Knowledge and experience of specialist equipment provision and moving and handling assessments.
• Experience assessing for major housing adaptations.
• Good understanding of the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) process and associated legislation.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with surveyors, housing departments and other professionals involved in adaptation projects.
• Excellent communication, organisational and report-writing skills.
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle for business use.

Desirable Experience:

• Knowledge of housing legislation and Disabled Facilities Grant legislation.
• Experience managing complex adaptation casework.
• Experience supervising, mentoring or supporting junior staff.
• Previous experience within health, social care or integrated children’s services.

Contract & Salary

• Job Title: Senior Children’s Occupational Therapist
• Employer: Blackburn with Darwen Council
• Service: Children’s Occupational Therapy Service
• Location: Blackburn, Lancashire
• Area: Lancashire Social Services
• Job Type: Locum
• Contract: Initially 3 months, with the possibility of extension; ongoing requirement
• Salary: £36 per hour
• Service Users: Children and young people aged 0–19 years

How to Apply

To apply for this Senior Children’s Occupational Therapist role, apply using the form on the page.

Code:  U.XMS 000B 7208 / 1. 008010.B21227