Orchard Hill College • Camberwell, South East London
About this role
We are currently seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to join our integrated services team. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate professional who is committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people with additional needs.
As an Occupational Therapist, you will play a vital role in providing high-quality assessment, intervention, and support for students enabling them to develop independence, functional life skills, emotional regulation, and participation in learning, vocational, and community activities.
A key aspect of the role involves embedding occupational therapy strategies into everyday classroom practice. You will provide guidance, training, and support to staff, ensuring that therapeutic approaches are consistently implemented across the college environment.
By working collaboratively within an integrated team, you will help bridge the gap between therapy and education—ensuring that students are fully supported to engage with the curriculum, develop essential life skills, and achieve their full potential.
Key Responsibilities
To assess student’s sensory, upper limb/ fine motor, seating, activity/ ADL participation and learning environment needs using a range of formal and informal assessments and observations and manage a diverse clinical caseload with support.
To consistently demonstrate and promote the highest standards of respect for students and their families, modelling a person-centred, collaborative approach that upholds students' human rights, dignity, individuality, and autonomy, while supporting informed choice and meaningful participation in all aspects of their education and development.
To keep up to date with current and new manual handling techniques in order to design appropriate moving and handling guidelines for learners to access personal care who have significant physical disabilities in addition to their learning disability, using a range of techniques and equipment ensuring safe practice.
To plan, implement, and review person-centred individual and/or group interventions, which aim to improve functional abilities and participation in college-related learning activities as well as everyday life.
To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out duties and to adhere to relevant policies, including competence to use equipment and ensuring the safe use of equipment by others through teaching, training and supervision of practice.
To plan and deliver training in sensory, upper limb adaptations and functional support, seating, and skill development to education staff, home environments and work places, as indicated.
Key Requirements
Degree or Graduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy
UK HPC Registration
Experience with people over 16 who have severe/profound and multiple learning disabilities and / or Autism
Ability to work effectively with others
Orchard Hill College is an exciting, forward-thinking organisation, and we offer many benefits to attract and keep our staff, contributing towards maintaining and improving wellbeing, and encouraging our required behaviours, achievements, values, and skills. Below is just a selection of the benefits available to our employees:
Rewards & Benefits
Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.
Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme, Employee Car Lease Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme)
Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme, and more)
Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.