Job summary We are looking for a Highly Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist to join our large children's therapy team in Wigan. This is a permanent full time post (37.5 hours) working Monday to Friday. We would like to appoint an Occupational Therapist with substantial NHS Band 6 experience who is able to offer clinical expertise and demonstrate advanced knowledge in the management of a wide range of Paediatric conditions. You will take responsibility for planning, prioritising, and caseload management for staff ensuring clinical delivery is safe and effective and that the service operates efficiently. Working in conjunction with our patients, their families and our partner agencies across health, social care, and education, you would be expected to continually evaluate the service and identify areas to improve and innovate. You would be expected to provide supervision, mentorship and training for colleagues, using a flexible and adaptable approach to best develop staff within the team. We hope to appoint someone who is interested in developing opportunities within the SOS approach to feeding service, is forward thinking, and can be a key player in improving the outcomes for children and young people in Wigan. Main duties of the job To provide highly specialist Occupational Therapy assessment, treatment and management of children experiencing difficulties with everyday functional skills due to a physical, motor, feeding or sensory based need. (Covering all ages from neonates (pre term and full term) to 19 years old.) To provide clinical leadership for staff in the Paediatric Occupational therapy service, including supporting across the Wigan Borough when required. In conjunction with the Team Leader and other Occupational Therapy highly specialist staff, to plan, develop and co-ordinate this service. There is a strong support and advisory element within this role. To work in conjunction with other specialists in OT, PT and SLT in developing services. To provide assessment and treatment for children experiencing difficulties with everyday functional skills due to a physical, motor, feeding or sensory based need. There may be further scope in this role within the SOS approach to feeding as this aspect of the service may develop/evolve in the future and look to expand and explore available opportunities. About us Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'. WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs. At WWL we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society. Date posted 13 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year pa Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working Reference number 302-25-7049587CM Job locations Platt Bridge Health Centre Rivington Avenue Wigan WN2 5NG Job description Job responsibilities Key results from the job holder To provide highly specialist Occupational Therapy assessment, treatment and management of children experiencing difficulties with everyday functional skills due to a physical, motor, feeding or sensory based need. (Covering all ages from neonates (pre term and full term) to 19 years old.) To provide clinical leadership for staff in the Paediatric Occupational therapy service, including supporting across the Wigan Borough when required. In conjunction with the Team Leader and other Occupational Therapy highly specialist staff, to plan, develop and co-ordinate this service. There is a strong support and advisory element within this role. To work in conjunction with other specialists in OT, PT and SLT in developing services. Planning and Organisational Duties To act as a source of expertise and demonstrate advanced knowledge skills and experience in the management of complex caseloads including managing own designated caseload and supervising caseload of band 6 and 5 and Therapy Assistant OTs. To provide carers, relatives, therapists, assistants, occupational therapy students, health / social care and education colleagues with education, training, monitoring and emotional support as required. To provide supervision, mentorship, training and support for colleagues and newly qualified therapists and assistants as per professional guidance. To manage a highly specialist complex caseload, within an inter-disciplinary / multi-agency setting, acting as an autonomous professional and lone worker in the community. To support less experienced staff in supporting complex cases ensuring they deliver high quality interventions. To ensure that clients / parents / teachers are involved in the planning and implementation of treatment programmes. Take the lead role in the day to day clinical management and development of the specialist areas for the service, working as a lone practitioner with a high degree of autonomy and clinical freedom. To determine clinical diagnosis and Occupational Therapy treatment plan indicated, based on highly specialist skills and knowledge, measuring, and evaluating outcomes. To maintain clinical records as an autonomous practitioner. To promote and provide best practice via highly specialised assessment and treatment using a variety of principals and techniques as appropriate for children with a variety of complex needs (including chronic, disabling and life limiting conditions) working in collaboration with the child, family and carers / involved agencies. To assess a childs occupational therapy needs using complex and advanced clinical reasoning and provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to their social and physical environment. To work as an autonomous practitioner being professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work. To accept clinical responsibility for a highly specialist caseload ensuring a high standard of clinical care, organising work in line with identified service priorities, clinical priorities, and managing own time. To contribute to accurate clinical diagnosis as part of a childs overall assessment and assist in the breaking / Sharing the News process for families with other inter-disciplinary members of the child and family services team. To identify Occupational Therapy goals and priorities as part of a childs overall care plan using highly specialised assessment tools and advanced level treatment interventions, in collaboration with clients, carers and involved agencies / professionals. To develop multi-agency working with health colleagues and partner agencies e.g. Social Services and the Local Education Authority. To contribute to legal documents such as Education Health and Care Plans and Annual Reviews, as appropriate. To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible, in line with trust policy. To plan and implement client centred individual and/or group interventions, evaluating treatment in order to measure progress, outcomes and ensure clinical effectiveness. To deliver highly specialist Occupational Therapy services in a variety of community settings i.e. child development centre, nurseries, mainstream/special schools, childs own home or elsewhere, as appropriate. To carry out highly specialist assessments and interventions, e.g. orthotics independently or jointly with other health or partner agency colleagues, as appropriate. To attend case conferences, reviews and meetings as required by clinical or managerial responsibility. To assist in the transition planning process at various stages of a childs life as required by clinical responsibility and in collaboration with appropriate agencies. To maintain communication networks with clients, carers, other health colleagues and partner agencies. To remain aware of and up to date with legislation and policies affecting Occupational Therapy and childrens service practice and plan for the effects on designated service area. Analyse and interpret complex assessment information in order to develop specialist interventions, ensuring advanced levels of treatment are provided, outcomes are recorded and evaluated to determine clinical effectiveness To provide highly specialist Occupational Therapy reports relevant to the practice setting. To maintain up to date written/electronic records and statistical data, documenting /registering these in line with professional and local requirements. To represent the Trust externally (locally and regionally) regarding Occupational Therapy services provided to patients in the community. To demonstrate highly developed dexterity and co-ordination to enable accurate assessment of patient condition and deliver effective treatment. To provide highly specialist advice to other members of the MDT regarding the Occupational Therapy management of patients with complex problems to ensure holistic care. To represent at health panels where required. To be responsible for under-graduate Occupational Therapy students and the assessment of their clinical practice (physical and theoretical) to ensure that it is of degree standard in the assessment and training that they undertake. To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework regarding consent to treatment. To have highly developed knowledge and be competent in the administration and interpretation of standardised clinical assessment tools to diagnose level of function and cognitive performance. To assess for, prescribe and authorise requests for minor adaptations for the patients home / school environment, and specialist equipment, balancing the complex interactions of functional need, independence, risk, safety, patient choice,, areas of conflict, eligibility and cost effectiveness. To routinely handle patients with unpredictable movements, providing physical support and ensuring safety. Daily moving and handling of patients and equipment including frequent changing of positions from standing to sitting/crawling whilst facilitating the patient to do such. To be able to advise on functional options for use of AAC To discharge appropriately agreeing a point of closure with the parents and child and informing other professionals as appropriate. To work within infection control and health and safety guidelines in order to deal appropriately with unpleasant conditions related to client contact as they arise: for example exposure to body fluids, infectious conditions, encountered on a regular basis. To be responsible for deciding priorities for own working day, balancing other patient related and professional demands, and ensure that these remain in accordance with those of the service as a whole. On a daily basis to respond to urgent referrals and other issues which will require the reprioritisation of the working day. To be responsible for ensuring the effective and safe selection and use of all Occupational Therapy treatment resources in the community, including minor adaptations to patients home environments. To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out Occupational Therapy duties, and to write and to adhere to departmental policies including competence to use equipment and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others through, teaching, training, and supervision. To be actively involved in the collection and inputting of appropriate data and statistics for audit and for the use of the service. To produce timely informative assessments, treatment results, reports, letters and discharge summaries to referrers and the multidisciplinary team. If required, in accordance with the Organisations policy, provide reports for legal or social care reasons. Job description Job responsibilities Key results from the job holder To provide highly specialist Occupational Therapy assessment, treatment and management of children experiencing difficulties with everyday functional skills due to a physical, motor, feeding or sensory based need. (Covering all ages from neonates (pre term and full term) to 19 years old.) To provide clinical leadership for staff in the Paediatric Occupational therapy service, including supporting across the Wigan Borough when required. In conjunction with the Team Leader and other Occupational Therapy highly specialist staff, to plan, develop and co-ordinate this service. There is a strong support and advisory element within this role. To work in conjunction with other specialists in OT, PT and SLT in developing services. Planning and Organisational Duties To act as a source of expertise and demonstrate advanced knowledge skills and experience in the management of complex caseloads including managing own designated caseload and supervising caseload of band 6 and 5 and Therapy Assistant OTs. To provide carers, relatives, therapists, assistants, occupational therapy students, health / social care and education colleagues with education, training, monitoring and emotional support as required. To provide supervision, mentorship, training and support for colleagues and newly qualified therapists and assistants as per professional guidance. To manage a highly specialist complex caseload, within an inter-disciplinary / multi-agency setting, acting as an autonomous professional and lone worker in the community. To support less experienced staff in supporting complex cases ensuring they deliver high quality interventions. To ensure that clients / parents / teachers are involved in the planning and implementation of treatment programmes. Take the lead role in the day to day clinical management and development of the specialist areas for the service, working as a lone practitioner with a high degree of autonomy and clinical freedom. To determine clinical diagnosis and Occupational Therapy treatment plan indicated, based on highly specialist skills and knowledge, measuring, and evaluating outcomes. To maintain clinical records as an autonomous practitioner. To promote and provide best practice via highly specialised assessment and treatment using a variety of principals and techniques as appropriate for children with a variety of complex needs (including chronic, disabling and life limiting conditions) working in collaboration with the child, family and carers / involved agencies. To assess a childs occupational therapy needs using complex and advanced clinical reasoning and provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to their social and physical environment. To work as an autonomous practitioner being professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work. To accept clinical responsibility for a highly specialist caseload ensuring a high standard of clinical care, organising work in line with identified service priorities, clinical priorities, and managing own time. To contribute to accurate clinical diagnosis as part of a childs overall assessment and assist in the breaking / Sharing the News process for families with other inter-disciplinary members of the child and family services team. To identify Occupational Therapy goals and priorities as part of a childs overall care plan using highly specialised assessment tools and advanced level treatment interventions, in collaboration with clients, carers and involved agencies / professionals. To develop multi-agency working with health colleagues and partner agencies e.g. Social Services and the Local Education Authority. To contribute to legal documents such as Education Health and Care Plans and Annual Reviews, as appropriate. To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible, in line with trust policy. To plan and implement client centred individual and/or group interventions, evaluating treatment in order to measure progress, outcomes and ensure clinical effectiveness. To deliver highly specialist Occupational Therapy services in a variety of community settings i.e. child development centre, nurseries, mainstream/special schools, childs own home or elsewhere, as appropriate. To carry out highly specialist assessments and interventions, e.g. orthotics independently or jointly with other health or partner agency colleagues, as appropriate. To attend case conferences, reviews and meetings as required by clinical or managerial responsibility. To assist in the transition planning process at various stages of a childs life as required by clinical responsibility and in collaboration with appropriate agencies. To maintain communication networks with clients, carers, other health colleagues and partner agencies. To remain aware of and up to date with legislation and policies affecting Occupational Therapy and childrens service practice and plan for the effects on designated service area. Analyse and interpret complex assessment information in order to develop specialist interventions, ensuring advanced levels of treatment are provided, outcomes are recorded and evaluated to determine clinical effectiveness To provide highly specialist Occupational Therapy reports relevant to the practice setting. To maintain up to date written/electronic records and statistical data, documenting /registering these in line with professional and local requirements. To represent the Trust externally (locally and regionally) regarding Occupational Therapy services provided to patients in the community. To demonstrate highly developed dexterity and co-ordination to enable accurate assessment of patient condition and deliver effective treatment. To provide highly specialist advice to other members of the MDT regarding the Occupational Therapy management of patients with complex problems to ensure holistic care. To represent at health panels where required. To be responsible for under-graduate Occupational Therapy students and the assessment of their clinical practice (physical and theoretical) to ensure that it is of degree standard in the assessment and training that they undertake. To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework regarding consent to treatment. To have highly developed knowledge and be competent in the administration and interpretation of standardised clinical assessment tools to diagnose level of function and cognitive performance. To assess for, prescribe and authorise requests for minor adaptations for the patients home / school environment, and specialist equipment, balancing the complex interactions of functional need, independence, risk, safety, patient choice,, areas of conflict, eligibility and cost effectiveness. To routinely handle patients with unpredictable movements, providing physical support and ensuring safety. Daily moving and handling of patients and equipment including frequent changing of positions from standing to sitting/crawling whilst facilitating the patient to do such. To be able to advise on functional options for use of AAC To discharge appropriately agreeing a point of closure with the parents and child and informing other professionals as appropriate. To work within infection control and health and safety guidelines in order to deal appropriately with unpleasant conditions related to client contact as they arise: for example exposure to body fluids, infectious conditions, encountered on a regular basis. To be responsible for deciding priorities for own working day, balancing other patient related and professional demands, and ensure that these remain in accordance with those of the service as a whole. On a daily basis to respond to urgent referrals and other issues which will require the reprioritisation of the working day. To be responsible for ensuring the effective and safe selection and use of all Occupational Therapy treatment resources in the community, including minor adaptations to patients home environments. To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out Occupational Therapy duties, and to write and to adhere to departmental policies including competence to use equipment and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others through, teaching, training, and supervision. To be actively involved in the collection and inputting of appropriate data and statistics for audit and for the use of the service. To produce timely informative assessments, treatment results, reports, letters and discharge summaries to referrers and the multidisciplinary team. If required, in accordance with the Organisations policy, provide reports for legal or social care reasons. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy. Health and Care Professionals Council registration Evidence of CPD attending post registration training in advanced area of clinical practice Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses up to masters level equivalent Desirable Basic Computer Skills Successful completion of management short courses or training Experience Essential Extensive post graduate experience as an children's Occupational Therapist including experience at a senior level Evidence of significant practical specialist experience or training in designated area Community work experience. Experience of advanced assessment and treatment techniques. Working collaboratively with other health professionals and or partner agencies. Leadership/supervisory management experience Fieldwork accreditation. Training and education of health and other professionals and carers, in the (Role of Occupational Therapy in advanced practice) Service evaluation, review and development. Experience of service development and quality improvement. Review and development of standards, policies and procedures Experience of Clinical Governance issues and best practice initiatives Desirable Research experience Experience of completion of audit Skills Essential Advanced skills in interpretation of specialist assessment materials including sensory assessments. Planning and decision making skills. Proven supervisory skills. Excellent communication skills both verbal and written. Ability to reflect on and critically appraise own and other practice. Proven organisational skills, demonstrating ability to prioritise, managing own workload to meet deadlines. Ability to apply clinical governance principles to practice and demonstrate advanced clinical reflection. Ability to work autonomously acting decisively on behalf of self and others. Knowledge Essential Knowledge of a child's normal/impaired development/function and disease processes and their implications on occupational performance. Ability to empower children and families within therapeutic practice. Ability to assess physical social, sensory and environmental needs of a client. Ability to assess for equipment as required for area of speciality. Ability to deliver sensitive information to children, families carers under stressful circumstances Awareness of and ability to implement national initiatives and legislation relating to area of specialist practice. Desirable Ability to promote professional excellence in self and others. Training, presentation and teaching skills. Commitment to improving the experience of children, families and carers appreciating culture and diversity. Ability to carry out risk assessments Additional Essential Ability to work in a variety of positions, kneeling sitting standing on the floor. Ability to travel freely around the Wigan Borough The ability to work flexibly in accordance with service needs Person Specification Qualifications Essential Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy. Health and Care Professionals Council registration Evidence of CPD attending post registration training in advanced area of clinical practice Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses up to masters level equivalent Desirable Basic Computer Skills Successful completion of management short courses or training Experience Essential Extensive post graduate experience as an children's Occupational Therapist including experience at a senior level Evidence of significant practical specialist experience or training in designated area Community work experience. Experience of advanced assessment and treatment techniques. Working collaboratively with other health professionals and or partner agencies. Leadership/supervisory management experience Fieldwork accreditation. Training and education of health and other professionals and carers, in the (Role of Occupational Therapy in advanced practice) Service evaluation, review and development. Experience of service development and quality improvement. Review and development of standards, policies and procedures Experience of Clinical Governance issues and best practice initiatives Desirable Research experience Experience of completion of audit Skills Essential Advanced skills in interpretation of specialist assessment materials including sensory assessments. Planning and decision making skills. Proven supervisory skills. Excellent communication skills both verbal and written. Ability to reflect on and critically appraise own and other practice. Proven organisational skills, demonstrating ability to prioritise, managing own workload to meet deadlines. Ability to apply clinical governance principles to practice and demonstrate advanced clinical reflection. Ability to work autonomously acting decisively on behalf of self and others. Knowledge Essential Knowledge of a child's normal/impaired development/function and disease processes and their implications on occupational performance. Ability to empower children and families within therapeutic practice. Ability to assess physical social, sensory and environmental needs of a client. Ability to assess for equipment as required for area of speciality. Ability to deliver sensitive information to children, families carers under stressful circumstances Awareness of and ability to implement national initiatives and legislation relating to area of specialist practice. Desirable Ability to promote professional excellence in self and others. Training, presentation and teaching skills. Commitment to improving the experience of children, families and carers appreciating culture and diversity. Ability to carry out risk assessments Additional Essential Ability to work in a variety of positions, kneeling sitting standing on the floor. Ability to travel freely around the Wigan Borough The ability to work flexibly in accordance with service needs Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address Platt Bridge Health Centre Rivington Avenue Wigan WN2 5NG Employer's website http://www.wwl.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)