Regional Occupational Therapist

OverviewJoin to apply for the Regional Occupational Therapist role at Compass Community.Compass Community Schools are a network of independent special schools dedicated to supporting children and young people with diverse and complex learning needs. Our pupils include those with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC), Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), Attention Difficulties, Sensory Processing Differences, and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, many of whom have also experienced developmental trauma, disrupted attachment, and high levels of anxiety.We are passionate about helping every child to build trusting relationships, develop communication and learning skills, and achieve their potential through a highly specialised, therapeutic, child-centred approach.The Job OpportunityWe are seeking a passionate and experienced Regional Occupational Therapist to join our expanding education team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a strategic and developmental role in shaping the Compass Occupational Therapy (OT) provision across a region of schools — with potential for national influence as the model grows.This new role will sit within a growing multidisciplinary team including Regional Therapists both Speech and Language Therapists, and Occupational Therapists, SENCOs, and external specialists. This role focuses on enabling children and young people to develop the functional, motor, sensory, and self-care skills they need to access the curriculum and reach their full potential.Contract: Term-time only (20 hours per week)Flexibility: Hybrid role with a mix of remote and school-based working.Visits: Once the role is established, you will be expected to make approximately 5 in person visits in a 6-week period dependent on the size and needs of your schools. Travel contributions will be provided per mile from an agreed base school.The schools you will be required to visit in this role are located in: Lewes (East Sussex), Woking (Surrey) and Folkestone (Kent).This is a rare opportunity to join Compass at a pivotal time of growth. As one of the founding Regional Therapists, you will directly influence how occupational therapy is conceptualised, delivered, and embedded across the organisation — shaping a model of communication-centred education that can have lasting regional and national impact.The salary for the role is £25,422 - £31,575 based on part-time hours (£50,844 – £63,150 full-time).Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic DevelopmentShape and deliver a high-quality, trauma-informed, neuro-affirming OT service embedded within the transition, curriculum, and daily life of every Compass school.Work collaboratively with the Regional Therapy Team and SENCOs to design frameworks that strengthen provision across the region.Develop a strategic plan for communication provision that includes tiered support (universal, targeted, specialist).Training and Workforce DevelopmentDesign and deliver engaging training packages for staff at all levels to strengthen communication-inclusive classroom practice.Support the development of Occupational Therapy Champions within schools, building their confidence and skill in embedding strategies.Provide reflective supervision and consultation to staff as part of a wider co-regulatory practice model.Observation, Assessment & RecommendationsObserve pupils and classrooms to identify barriers to learning.Provide recommendations that enhance the Quality First Teaching offer, such as classroom adaptations, differentiated supports, and relational strategies in relation to: fine motor skills, gross motor skills, handwriting support, activities of daily living, self-regulation and sensory processing.Support schools in the early identification of sensory, physical and self-care needs, including guidance on referral pathways and partnership with external agencies.Therapeutic Pathway DesignContribute to the development of holistic communication pathways that integrate relational, sensory, and emotional regulation principles.Support the creation of individual and small-group programmes and model these approaches with staff.Oversee assessments and support the design of provision that meets the profile of each school community.Safeguarding & Professional LeadershipDemonstrate a robust understanding of safeguarding, with the ability to identify and respond appropriately to concerns.Contribute to the safeguarding culture within Compass by promoting emotionally and psychologically safe practice.Offer supervision, reflective discussion, and professional guidance to team members when appropriate.Collaboration & CommunicationWork closely with the Regional Therapy Team, SENCO, Headteachers, teachers, and parents/carers to ensure consistent communication approaches between home and school.Attend regional and multi-agency meetings as required, contributing evidence for EHCP reviews, Local Authority funding requests, and multi-disciplinary planning.Qualifications And RequirementsRecognised degree in Occupational Therapy (BSc/MSc)HCPC registrationEnhanced DBS checkFull, clean UK driving licenceEssential ExperienceMinimum 5 years post-graduate experienceExperience in specialist education or alternative provision settingsStrong understanding of Autism, DLD, SEMH, and the impact of developmental traumaFamiliarity with neurodevelopmental, attachment-informed, and relationship-based modelsSkilled in creating and delivering training (in-person and virtual)Demonstrate success in multi-disciplinary collaborationExperience embedding strategies within classroom environments.DesirableExperience contributing to service development or regional strategy.Core Skills And AttributesAdaptive and flexible across varied settingsExcellent interpersonal and communication skillsStrong organisational and administrative competenceConfidence working autonomously while maintaining close collaborationCommitment to reflective, relationship-centred practice and ongoing professional developmentCommitment to inclusion, equality, and neuro-affirming practiceProfessional StandardsAll Compass Staff Are Expected To uphold the values of R.E.A.C.H. – Resilient, Educative, Accepting, Child-centred, and HolisticMaintain professionalism, reliability, and integrity in all workDemonstrate inclusive, respectful, and non-discriminatory practiceWe are highly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff will be expected to hold or be willing to obtain Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau) and undergo due diligence checks on social media use. #J-18808-Ljbffr