Are you looking for an employer who can offer you opportunities for growth and development in your occupational therapy career- All whilst working within a friendly multidisciplinary team in a rewarding education setting?
Do you want to have opportunities to participate in research projects, special interest groups and form part of a wider occupational therapy network that meets regularly for training & development?
Do you want to have flexibility and be able to work creatively to deliver specialist OT assessment and intervention fostering independence within an education setting?
We believe in giving you more time to do the things you love outside of work
Job Title: Occupational Therapist
Location: Strawberry Lane School – Durham DH6 5BE
Salary: Up to £53,200 FTE DOE
Hours: 22.5 hours per week (3 days) Monday - Friday 08.30am - 16.30pm
Contract: Permanent (Term time only)
In a world where the demand for clinical support is increasing daily, we understand the importance and value of the work you carry out. Your unique skills and expertise are critical to building better outcomes for our students. This is why we aim to have a multidisciplinary clinical team for each of our sites to provide this vital provision in collaboration with our education teams. Creating an environment where our students can truly flourish and grow in independence is key.
We understand the value of helping our employees develop in their careers. For clinicians to achieve their Continued Professional Development (CPD) goals we offer a £2000 training allowance, so that you can complete role specific training tailored to your individual requirements once your probation has been completed.
About Us
At OFG Education, we believe every student deserves an education designed around who they are. Through high expectations, deep expertise and truly personalised education, we help students realise their potential and prepare for successful futures.
Building on more than 20 years of experience, we are bringing our approach to more students and communities around the world. Across the UK, Iberia and the Gulf, our schools combine the strength, expertise and high standards of an international education group with the individuality of each school and the communities they serve.
Whatever your role, joining OFG education means contributing to our shared ambition: empowering every student to success through truly personalised education.
We are proud to be a part of OFG Education who in 2025 were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
The role:
We are looking for an Occupational Therapist to join our in-house clinical team at Strawberry Lane School. Working collaboratively with the education team, you will deliver bespoke Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention to students who may have experienced developmental trauma, be neurodivergent or have SEMH needs. You will work within the standards provided in the OFG Occupational Therapy Ways of Working. This will guide your practice within an education setting and clarify your roles and responsibilities, while taking into account the requirements of your governing and professional bodies. You will be given responsibility for holding an occupational therapy caseload, with the full support of your designated clinical supervisor and Lead Clinician also contributing to staff training and consultation as required. This post would suit a resilient, creative and enthusiastic individual.
Our Clinical Teams help maintain a person-centred, empowering approach always putting the students we support at the forefront of everything they do. All our settings maintain a strong safeguarding culture, and the students we support are heard, respected, and involved in decisions that affect them. We strive for excellence, which is why we are one of the leading service providers in the UK. With this in mind, we are looking for an Occupational Therapist who shares our vision to use innovative approaches to enhance the quality of life and outcomes of the students we support.
Strawberry Lane School forms part of our Outcomes First Schools and is an independent specialist day school, supporting students aged 11 – 19
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For further information regarding this vacancy please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification attached.
Essential Criteria:
· Recognised Occupational Therapy degree
· Valid and up to date HCPC Registration
· Registered member of RCOT
· Relevant experience in providing occupational therapy services within a similar setting is preferrable
· Previously engaged with people who are neurodivergent and/or experience learning difficulty and/or socio-emotional and mental health difficulties in any setting, being able to evidence transferrable skills
· Sound knowledge and clinical understanding of OT theory and its practical application to support independence
· Experience of multi-professional work with teams or services within the designated speciality preferred
· Ability to work independently, flexible and confidence working in a school environment
· Clear and concise report writing skills
· Hold a full UK driving licence, with access to a car
· Interest in sensory integration or sensory-informed practice (SI practitioner training in progress or completed is preferrable, however not essential)
Why work for us?
Alongside working with a network of over 350 clinical colleagues with regular forums for peer reflection and practice development, OFG Education offer an array of flexible benefit options
Benefits
Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward and flexible benefits package including:
· Life Assurance
· Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
· Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
· Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
· A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
· 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
· Cycle to Work Schemes
· Electric Car Purchase Scheme
· Critical illness cover
· £2000 CPD Training Allowance
At OFG Education we are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our students. All successful applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS
We reserve the right to close vacancies early, please submit your application at the earliest opportunity.
OFG Education is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, OFG Education does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
Job Ref: (phone number removed)
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