Grade
Band 6
Contract
12 months (Fixed Term)
Hours
Part time - 30 hours per week
Job ref
373-CYP1456
Town
Wirral
Salary
£38,682 - £46,580 per annum (pro rata)
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
25/08/2025 23:59
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a passionate and experienced Occupational Therapist to join our multi-disciplinary Children and Young People’s Learning Disability Service within CWP NHS Foundation Trust.
This post offers a 12 month fixed term contract (part time 4 days a week), that is a great opportunity for someone wishing to gain skills working with children in community learning disability services. It is a fantastic opportunity to experience how you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of children with severe learning disabilities and those with moderate learning disabilities with additional complexities and behaviours that challenge.
The post holder will work collaboratively with children, families, schools, and community services to deliver person-centred interventions aimed at promoting the child’s functional abilities, mental health, and quality of life. This role involves direct work with children and their families, contributing to mental health assessments, and promoting effective strategies across home, school, and community settings.
Main duties of the job
The main duties of the job involve undertaking comprehensive and specialist OT assessments with CYP, who present with complex learning disabilities, mental health or behavioural needs. In undertaking such assessments, the postholder will liaise with colleagues from education, social care and with parents and/or carers to develop a thorough formulation and understanding of the child’s complex needs, to develop a treatment plan, that is evidence based and goal oriented.
Treatment/support plans will promote the child’s functioning across the domains of home, school, and in the YP's community, taking into consideration any sensory sensitivities that may be impacting behaviour. Positive behaviour support strategies will be developed and used within the context of your occupational therapy practice, and an ongoing assessment of risks will also be applied.
Treatment may include individual or group work, working with the child directly or with their parents /carers to offer advise and support with strategy implementation.
All treatment plans will be regularly reviewed, evaluated and modified in partnership with CYP, families/carers.
The post holder will work closely with other members of the MDT, contributing to professional discussion within the team and at multi professional meetings as required. They will participate in regular management, clinical and safeguarding supervision.
Working for our organisation
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire.
We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton and Liverpool.
Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.
As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.
All new starters will commence in post on one fixed start date each month, in line with our Prepare to Care (P2C) induction programme date. P2C offers up to 3 weeks training to support you to meet the induction / initial training requirements of the role.
Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you’ll find something to suit you at CWP.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please download a copy of the job description (see ‘documents to download’ section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.
At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.
CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust’s Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trust’s Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trust’s Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.
An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: [email protected] or by calling 01244 393100.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Diploma or BSc in Occupational Therapy
- Registration with Health Care Professions Council
- Post graduate clinical training relevant to the post
Desirable criteria
- CLAIT/European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent
- Membership of Professional Body
- First line leadership or management training
- Qualification in Behavioural analysis.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant experience in learning disability/mental health/ working with children and families.
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary environment
- Experience of working with people with complex and challenging behaviours
- Experience of supervising and supporting junior staff and students
- Documented evidence of Continued Professional Development
- Working knowledge of clinical audit
- Experience of introducing new and/or innovative interventions
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working in a Community Team
Knowledge and Expertise
Essential criteria
- Specialist clinical skills and knowledge relevant to the specialty
- Working knowledge of clinical governance
- Training, presentation and facilitation skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Good knowledge and awareness of current legislation and guidance pertaining to services for CYP with Learning Disabilities and its implications for Occupational Therapy
- Ability to work under pressure and set priorities
- Good knowledge of effective care
- management and planning of treatment packages
- Ability to manage own caseload and work as part of a team
- Group leadership skills
- Excellent negotiation and organisational skills, with individuals and groups
- Good knowledge of the principles of Clinical Governance
- Computer literacy
- Skills in handling and moving
Desirable criteria
- Resolution of complex professional/ethical issues Research experience
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Further details / informal visits contact
Job title
Team Manager
Email address
Telephone number
0151 488 7474
Additional information