Job vacancy: Service Lead, Occupational Therapy, Bexley Children’s Therapies, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Sidcup

Job summary

Main area: Children & Young People
Grade: Band 8a
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: 277-7385444-CYP

Employer: Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Acorns, Queen Mary's Hospital
Town: Sidcup
Salary: £61,631 - £68,623 pa inc
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 18/08/2025 23:59

Service Lead, Occupational Therapy, Bexley Children’s Therapies

Band 8a

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

· To be responsible for the professional leadership, planning and delivery of Children’s Specialist Children’s OT services across Bexley

· To work jointly with the Service Lead for Physiotherapy to provide strategic professional and clinical leadership to the Bexley Children’s OT and PT service

· To work jointly with the Service Lead for PT to provide operational management for the Bexley Children’s PT and OT service

· To be a key member of the Bexley Children’s OT and PT leadership team and contribute/lead on strategic developments and service improvement initiatives

· To provide professional leadership and clinical supervision of Occupational Therapists/Assistants in the service

· To maintain and monitor external contract data and provide regular reports to the Head of Bexley Therapies

· To deputise for Head of Children’s Therapies, Bexley as appropriate

· To deputise for Bexley PT Lead in absence e.g. oversee the day-to-day management of the service

· To manage a complex clinical caseload

· To lead on the development of best available evidence-based OT practice

· To provide OT specific assessment and interventions via groups and individual work

· To lead on service and policy development

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Degree in OT
UK HCPC Registration
Membership of Professional body

Experience

Essential criteria

Extensive experience as an Occupational Therapist
Supervisory experience of colleagues and students
Leadership and management experience
Service development / review experience

Skills

Essential criteria

Ability to organise and respond efficiently to complex information
Ability to work autonomously and under pressure, set own priorities and manage time effectively
Effective written verbal and non-verbal communication skills
Specialist knowledge and application of current best practice in OT paediatrics
Well-developed people skills, respectful and empathic towards others

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that welcomes and supports individuals of all abilities. Remember, if you meet the minimum criteria for this role and you have a disability, you can be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme - Please ensure you select this on your application form. We would encourage you to be open about your needs so we can work with you to design a comfortable and accessible interview experience. Any information you provide regarding a disability or a need for adjustments will be treated in confidence and will only be shared with colleagues who are supporting this request.

If you require any adjustments to participate fully in the interview process, please let us know by adding the relevant details when scheduling your preferred interview date and time. Please feel free to contact the appointing manager to discuss your needs.

We encourage applicants to contact the hiring manager before their interview, if they have any questions about the role or the process. This is a great way to get clarity and prepare effectively for the interview.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

If you choose to use AI or other tools to assist in writing your application, it's essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section. While AI can help streamline the writing process, these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job you’re applying for. There is also a risk that it can generate false or misleading information. AI-generated job applications can often be generic, impersonal and may not accurately reflect your qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experiences. It is crucial that you personalise your supporting statement by articulating these in your unique voice. Relying solely on AI to write your application or supporting information section is not advocated by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and could negatively impact your chances of success in the application process.

We monitor applications for any behaviour that could create an unfair advantage, and we check all references carefully. You are likely to be tested on your experience at interview, so be honest and make sure all the information in your application is correct. Please note that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is prohibited during the interview process.

Mindful employer. Being positive about mental health.

Stonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name: Paula Johnson
Job title: Ops Manager for Bexley Children's Therapies
Email address: [email protected]
Telephone number: 07771988477

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Job summary

Employer heading

Service Lead, Occupational Therapy, Bexley Children’s Therapies

Band 8a

Job overview

Main duties of the job

Working for our organisation

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Experience

Essential criteria

Skills

Essential criteria

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

Documents to download

Further details / informal visits contact

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