occupational therapist jobs

Paediatric Occupational Therapist

Cuckfield, West Sussex

£42,000 to £46,000 per year, depending on experience (pro rata for part-time)

Full-time or part-time, permanent

Closing date: Monday 9 November 2026

Interviews: Thursday 12 November 2026

ABOUT US

My Journey is an independent paediatric practice based at our therapy centre in Cuckfield, West Sussex. We provide speech and language therapy to children, families and schools across Sussex, working with clients from early years up to the age of 25. A large proportion of our caseload is autistic and neurodivergent.

We are adding occupational therapy to that offering, and this is our first OT post. We are currently fitting out a dedicated sensory integration room at the centre, with ceiling suspension points for swings and a trapeze, crash mats and climbing equipment. The specification is not yet final, so the successful candidate will have input into it.

THE ROLE

You will set up and run the occupational therapy service alongside our speech and language therapy team, carrying your own paediatric caseload from the Cuckfield centre with some school and home visits. There is no existing OT caseload to inherit, so the first few months involve building the service as well as delivering it.

The post is permanent and we are open to full-time or part-time applications. You will report to the Clinical Director.

MAIN DUTIES

- Carry out standardised and non-standardised assessment with clinical observation. Sensory Profile 2, Movement ABC-2 and the Beery VMI are the measures we would expect to be used most often.

- Write clear reports setting out findings and recommendations, including OT advice for EHCP needs assessments. Our clients run up to the age of 25, so the caseload includes post-16 and young adult work.

- Plan and deliver therapy sessions in the sensory integration room, tracked against agreed goals, and devise programmes that carry over into home and school.

- Train and support the adults around the child, including parents, teaching assistants and SENCOs.

- Work jointly with our speech and language therapists on shared clients, including joint sessions and case discussion.

- Contribute to service development, including referral pathways, the OT offering to schools, and decisions on assessments and equipment.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential:

- HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist, with 3 to 4 years post-qualification experience.

- A completed postgraduate qualification in sensory integration, at PGCert "SI Practitioner" level or above through Sensory Integration Education, or an equivalent recognised sensory integration qualification.

- Experience working with children and young people.

- Experience writing reports for education settings.

- A neurodiversity-affirming approach to practice.

- Able to travel to schools and homes across Mid Sussex when required. The majority of the work is based at the Cuckfield centre.

- Right to work in the UK.

- Willingness to undergo an enhanced DBS check.

Desirable:

- Sensory integration training beyond PGCert level, or an interest in progressing to it.

- Experience writing OT advice for EHCP needs assessments.

- Experience of handwriting programmes, feeding and mealtime work, or postural and seating assessment.

- Experience of private or independent practice.

- RCOT membership.

WHAT WE OFFER

- Salary of £42,000 to £46,000 depending on experience, reviewed annually, pro rata for part-time hours.

- Funded CPD, including further sensory integration study and progression to PGDip or MSc.

- A dedicated sensory integration room with ceiling suspension points, swings, a trapeze, crash mats and climbing equipment, in a purpose-built space you help specify.

- Protected admin time. Reports, planning and preparation are scheduled within your working week, and we have admin staff to handle diary and billing.

- Regular OT clinical supervision, arranged and paid for by us, plus peer discussion with the SLT team.

- Private medical insurance, workplace pension, free on-site parking and an employee wellbeing programme.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply with a CV and a short covering note of no more than one side of A4, telling us about your paediatric experience and what you would want to do with the role. You can also email your application directly to careers@myjourneytherapies.co.uk.

The closing date for applications is Monday 9 November 2026. Interviews will be held at our Cuckfield centre on Thursday 12 November 2026 and will include a look at the therapy space. We will let every applicant know either way once shortlisting is complete.

For an informal conversation about the role before applying, call 01293 901815 and ask for Jess.

The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check and proof of HCPC registration and right to work in the UK.

Pay: £42,000.00-£46,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Private medical insurance
• Store discount

Language:

• English (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person