An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 7 Occupational Therapist to join our Paediatric Therapy team at Poole Hospital Child Development Centre. We are looking for an initiative-taking and experienced Occupational Therapist with postgraduate experience at a senior level. This is a 9 month fixed term post to cover maternity leave.
For UHD employees, this fixed-term post will be offered as a secondment in line with the Trust’s Secondment Policy. Please speak with your line manager before applying.
Interview date: 22nd July 2026.
The post includes clinical leadership and service development, deputising for the team lead as needed for the established Children’s Therapy Service and delivering advanced specialist assessments and interventions to a wide range of children and young people aged 0-19 years.
Experience in working with complex needs children including those with neurodevelopmental conditions; neurodiverse conditions; complex physical disabilities; and life limiting, and palliative care conditions is essential. Applicants must have expert knowledge on occupational therapy interventions which can include but not limited to: Sensory Integration; Upper limb management; Specialist equipment provision; and Home/School programmes.
Outpatient services are delivered at the Child Development Centre. The ability to travel across all University Hospitals Dorset Trust sites and to schools/nurseries is required for delivering patient care.
We collaborate closely with the multi-disciplinary paediatric team and colleagues working in social care, health, and education services. We are committed to delivering high quality and engaging services for the children and families we work with.
The ability to travel across all University Hospitals Dorset Trust sites and to schools/nurseries is required for delivering patient care.
UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview.
If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.
UHD has active networks including Women’s, DEN, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.
AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process
For UHD employees, this fixed-term post will be offered as a secondment in line with the Trust’s Secondment Policy. Please speak with your line manager before applying
To be part of a team of therapists providing a highly specialised Occupational Therapy (OT) assessment, treatment and advice service to children, 0-19 years and their parents/carers referred by School staff, paediatricians, GPs, and other professionals.
To be responsible for the clinical supervision and development of other members of the Children’s Therapy Team and to be a clinical educator for undergraduate students and Occupational Therapists.
To demonstrate a high level of evidence-based expertise in the assessment and treatment of a paediatric caseload, for children of all ages with complex developmental conditions.
To provide advice and liaise with other professionals (e.g. consultants, physiotherapists, speech, and language therapists) and disciplines (e.g. the community nursing team, Learning Disability Team, Occupational Therapists working in Social Care and Health, Education Staff etc), as well as networking with occupational therapists in other departments and NHS Trusts.
To participate in continued professional development.
To support the operational management and development of the Children’s Occupational Therapy service.
To support triaging of referrals and management of these and service capacity.
Supervising staff, supporting their learning, development, and wellbeing.
To provide training to colleagues, multi-disciplinary team and staff working in educational settings.
