Job summary
- Main area
- Occupational Therapy
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job ref
- 100-AHP009-0226
- Employer
- Hywel Dda University Health Board
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Ty Gwili
- Town
- Carmarthen
- Salary
- £48,527 - £55,532 per annum (pro rata if part time)
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 26/02/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 10/03/2026
Employer heading
Occupational Therapy Lead Neurodevelopmental
Band 7
Our Hywel Dda values reflect who we are and how we behave. We continuously work together to be the best we can be as we strive to develop and deliver excellent services, putting people at the heart of everything we do. Throughout our recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you would demonstrate these values in the way that you work with us.
If you are registered Health Care professional considering relocating to the Hywel Dda area in West Wales please don’t hesitate to contact our recruitment campaigns team directly via [email protected]
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Hywel Dda University Health Board reserve the right to close vacancies after 24 hours if a large number of suitable applications are received. We encourage early applications to ensure consideration for a post.
Job overview
As a specialist autonomous Occupational Therapy Lead, the post holder will be a part of a strong, collaborative multi-disciplinary team, offering
diagnostic assessment of autism and time-limited support to children, young people and their families.
The service currently offers diagnostic assessment of autism to children and young people up to the age of 17 ¾, but plans are in place to
radically redesign the service model incorporating a needs-led, whole system approach.
The role of the Occupational Therapy Lead will be to develop and lead on highly specialist occupational therapy interventions focusing on
functional impairment and sensory differences that can prevent children and young people achieving their potential.
Main duties of the job
Working as a Lead Clinician within a specialist neurodevelopmental service, the post holder will provide skilled and comprehensive assessments for children and young people referred for ASD diagnostic assessment. This includes the expert use and integration of complex information from a range of sources, such as standardised measures, observations and semi-structured interviews with children, young people and their families, undertaken across clinical, school and home settings as appropriate.
Drawing on an advanced occupational therapy framework and a strong evidence base, the role involves formulating and delivering highly specialist, time-limited interventions that support children and their families, informed by in-depth knowledge of child development and neurodiversity. The post holder will work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, contributing specialist expertise, consulting with other professionals to ensure the most appropriate assessments are undertaken, participating in referral triage, and presenting assessment findings at multidisciplinary panels to support diagnostic decision-making.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Working for our organisation
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:
- Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
- Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
- Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
- 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
- Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 10/03/2026
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Extensive postgraduate experience, including relevant experience with children & young people
- Managing a complex caseload
- Inter-professional and multi-agency team working
- Direct involvement with carers and families
- Negotiation of service development
- Evidence of supporting service compliance with clinical governance requirements
- Experience of appropriate delegation, supervision and oversight of staff
- Experience of working in a range of child related settings with complex communication and interaction difficulties
Desirable criteria
- Student supervision
- Key worker/Case Manager
- Negotiation of multidisciplinary working arrangements
- Leadership of clinical networks/ clinical practice groups
- Leading service developments & change
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy
- Professional registration as recognised by HPC
- Evidence of attendance on specialist short courses and advanced training up to Master's level equivalent e.g. Sensory Integration
- Possess highly specialist knowledge underpinned by current evidence-based practice
- Has an in-depth knowledge of ASD and the needs of children, young people and their families
Desirable criteria
- Member of BAOT
- Leadership training
Other
Desirable criteria
- Welsh Speaker (Level 1)
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
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.
Welsh language skills are desirable
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Ruth Holstead
- Job title
- Team Lead Children's Neurodevelopmental Service
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01267 283077
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