Senior Occupational Therapist - Children's Specialist Support Team
Please apply online via the link provided.
Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.
We have a great opportunity for an experienced Senior Occupational Therapist to join our multi-disciplinary children’s specialist support social work team.
We are passionate about promoting independence and wellbeing through new ways of working and forward thinking interventions.
To learn more about what it is like to work with us, take a look at our team's video
If you would like an informal chat or a tour of the office prior to submitting your application, please contact Lou.Richer@Bracknell-forest.gov.uk to arrange a suitable time.
About you…
You will bring substantial post-qualification experience as an Occupational Therapist, with a deep understanding of assessment, planning and intervention to ensure that children and their families receive needs-led, tailored support.
As a natural leader, you will excel at building strong relationships, demonstrating analytical thinking and working collaboratively with the management team. You will take direct responsibility for Occupational Therapists and Student Occupational Therapists, providing guidance and support to help them thrive.
In addition, you will play a key role in supporting the Team Manager, overseeing performance, chairing meetings and contributing to recruitment and retention strategies for both the occupational therapy function and the wider team.
About the team…
The Children’s Specialist Support Team (CSST) is a highly skilled and supportive team dedicated to working with children who have disabilities and/or complex health needs. Our focus is on keeping children at the heart of everything we do. We deliver a range of services, including support for children with additional vulnerabilities, statutory responsibilities for disabled Children in Need, care packages and short breaks.
Our team is diverse covering a broad range of areas including social work, occupational therapy and short breaks, such as Larchwood, our respite unit. We embrace a "child-first" and social model approach, valuing partnership and collaboration as key to our success.
As a small and welcoming local authority, we pride ourselves on our inclusive culture and strong sense of community. We prioritise staff wellbeing and foster a supportive environment where everyone feels connected and valued.
Read more about our culture and what our staff say Children's social care culture | Bracknell Forest Council.
Key responsibilities…
- To work as a Senior Occupational Therapist as part of a multidisciplinary Children's Specialist Support team, providing experience and expertise to occupational therapy colleagues, occupational therapy students, non-qualified staff and multi-agency teams.
- To support the Team Manager of CSST in delivering and maintaining high standards of performance ensuring continuous development and supporting children to fulfil their potential in light of their additional needs.
- Maximising the effectiveness of allocated resources to improve the lives of children and families with disabilities.
- Provide supervision and support to members of the team including coaching and mentoring others to develop performance and positive outcomes to those who they support.
- Provide senior expertise to complex assessments and case management.
- To support quality supervision to team members encouraging regular reflection, CPD and case reviews.
- To support the CSST Team Manager in looking for ways to improve services, cost effective interventions and management of the performance of the team and service.
Our benefits…
- 28 days annual leave increasing to 33 days after 3 years’ continuous service, with the opportunity to buy up to 10 and sell up to 5 days.
- Paid employee volunteering scheme.
- Local government pension scheme, with life insurance cover.
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifices scheme (subject to eligibility)
- Reimbursement of HCPC registration
- Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits. (Terms and Conditions apply)
- Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing
- Inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks and a sports and social club.
Find out more about all our benefits or see the candidate pack.
Our values...
At Bracknell Forest Council our values define who we are and what is important to us. Our core values are inclusive, ambitious, and always learning. These values influence the way we work with each other and the way we serve our residents and engage with our communities. We make our values real by demonstrating them in how we behave every day. If you are excited about joining a diverse team that celebrates learning and strives for excellence, we would love to hear from you.
Reasonable adjustments...
We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process for all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know by contacting recruitment@bracknell-forest.gov.uk. We will work with you to support you throughout the process. Find out more about reasonable adjustments.
Interview date
Interviews will be held on Friday 12th December 2025.
Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment.
We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.
Please note AI is prohibited during the interview, any candidate using AI will be withdrawn from consideration.
Want to ask us a question?
For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role, please contact:
Benigna Amago - Assistant Team Manager - Tel: 01344 352378 Email: Benigna.Amago@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect everyone employed with us to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to a DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check as part of our pre-employment checks process.
We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK.
Candidates currently residing in the UK who require sponsorship to work are encouraged to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) based on the relevant criteria. Please be aware that sponsorship availability varies and is subject to eligibility requirements and budget limitations. As a result, we cannot guarantee sponsorship for all roles and will evaluate sponsorship requests on a case-by-case basis.
No agencies please.
Salary range
- £49,918 - £53,048 per year