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Job summary

Main area
Occupational Therapist
Grade
Band 8a
Contract
Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity cover for 12 months starting from January 2027)
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
199-8268185-NP
Employer
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Crystal Children's Development Centre
Town
Croydon
Salary
£63,665 - £70,887 p.a incl HCAS outer
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
28/09/2026 23:59
Interview date
15/10/2026

Employer heading

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust logo

Children's Social Care Occupational Therapy Manager

Band 8a

Croydon is a busy, exciting and diverse place to work. The borough has one of the youngest populations in London and continues to grow.

Croydon Health Services cares for local people at Croydon University Hospital, Purley Memorial Hospital and in clinics and people’s homes all across the borough.

We are a very close-knit and friendly organisation where everyone of our 3600 members of staff is valued. We strongly believe that our employees are our greatest asset and so through Listening into Action – our way of engaging staff - we empower everyone at any level to initiate and bring about real improvements in our care.

Join us and be a part of the team that is making Croydon proud.  #choosecroydon

Job overview

·  To be responsible for the day to day running of the Social Service Children’s Occupational Therapy service within the integrated Occupational Therapy service.

·    To provide a highly specialised and advanced standard of Occupational Therapy assessment, management, treatment and advice for a caseload of children with a wide range of developmental difficulties and/or disabilities, a high proportion of whom may have complex and/or multiple pathologies.

  • Responsible for the operational management and professional leadership of the Children’s Occupational Therapy Service and its therapy staff, with delegated responsibility to ensure that performance and budgetary objectives are met.
  • To be a highly visible and proactive leader acting as a clinical resource and ensuring the sustained delivery of high standards of therapy care and service delivery.
  • To be responsible for exploring current practice, identifying areas for development, and planning the appropriate change using current evidence to evaluate outcomes.
  • To be responsible for the quality of the environment in which therapeutic interventions are delivered and lead on facilitating changes which improve the service users’ experience.

·  To play a key operational role and maintain a proactive approach to the management of demand, capacity and activity in order to meet organisational, contractual and service users’ objectives.

  • To ensure that services comply with national and local policy and legislation.

Main duties of the job

  • To maintain a 40% clinical caseload and 60% managerial duties
  • Managing Social Care waiting lists
  • Managing equipment budget and send monthly reports to Croydon Council budget holder and Croydon council finance team. 
  • Screen adaptation request and be part of equipment and adaptation panels. 
  • Supporting with upcoming SEND inspection
  • Manage complaints
  • Complete line management and clinical supervision
  • Managing staff sickness & appraisal
  • KPI monitoring and attendance of commissioning meetings
  • Attendance and participation in development of Babies, Children and Young People’s strategic board.
  • Attendance of AHP Council meetings

Working for our organisation

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust provides hospital and community services across Croydon through a range of clinics and specialist centres. Formed in August 2010 from the integration of Croydon Community Health Services and Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust, we employ around 4,100 staff serving a diverse population of over 360,000 people.

Our main site, Croydon University Hospital, is one of the busiest in London. We are also leading the way in delivering more healthcare in community settings and people’s homes. Our district nursing teams, Allied Health Professionals and community matrons care for people of all ages across the borough.

Like the wider NHS, we are working hard to meet increasing demand. With the right people on board, we continue to innovate and transform our services to provide the highest quality care for local residents. We place strong emphasis on education, training and career development for all staff.

If you want to make a real difference, challenge yourself and be part of a Trust that’s shaping local healthcare, Croydon Health Services could be the place for you.

At Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, we are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any flexibility they may need during the recruitment process.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

****** Please see the attached supporting document which contains more information about the role.******

Person specification

Education and Qualification

Essential criteria
  • OT Degree/Diploma
  • HCPC registration
Desirable criteria
  • Post-qualification paediatric training
  • Postural management training
  • Equipment and adaptations training

Knowledge and Understanding

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of OT skills in relation to children with disabilities
  • Commitment to service development
  • Good understanding of OT Management role
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of children’s normal developmental milestones
  • Prior management/Lead experience
  • In depth knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to children relevant to safeguarding.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of equipment assessment, provision and review
  • Experience of completing medical housing assessment and associated paperwork
  • Experience completing moving and handling assessments
  • Able to supervise junior staff/assistants/students
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of lone working in Social Care OT role
  • Experience of managing complaints
  • Experience working with commissioners or key stakeholders
  • Experience working with children in relevant community or acute setting

skills and Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Ability to communicate effectively with children, parents and staff, including children with significant communication difficulties
  • Excellent report writing skills, including record keeping
  • Ability to facilitate others to deliver OT treatment programmes
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of research process
  • Knowledge of audit process

Other Factors

Essential criteria
  • Driving Licence - Valid in UK for manual car
Desirable criteria
  • Automatic or bike only driving licence with access to car for work

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDCapital Nurse, LondonNo smoking policyLondon Living Wage is a voluntary commitment made by employers, who can become accredited with the Living Wage FoundationAge positiveImproving working livesDisability confident committedDisability Advice Line

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.

Application numbers

This vacancy may have an application cap, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. Ensure your supporting statement clearly shows how you meet the job specifications.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Shanice Welds
Job title
Children's Occupational Therapy Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
02082746854
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