First Bridge School
Occupational Therapist
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Occupational Therapist | SEND School | London (Chelsea / Imperial Wharf)
Location
Imperial Wharf, Chelsea (Hammersmith & Fulham), London
Salary
Competitive, dependent on experience
Contract
Full-time, Permanent (Monday to Friday)
Setting
SEND / Autism Specialist Primary School
About First Bridge School
First Bridge School is a DfE-registered specialist SEND school for pupils aged 2 to 11 with autism and complex developmental needs, located in Chelsea, London.
We are not a mainstream school with SEND provision. We are a fully integrated therapeutic school where Occupational Therapists work daily alongside Teachers, Speech and Language Therapists, and Behaviour Specialists. Therapy is part of how we teach, not an add-on.
The Role
As our Occupational Therapist, you will deliver high-quality, needs-led OT assessment and intervention for pupils whose sensory processing, motor development, and daily living skills directly affect their ability to learn and engage.
You will be embedded in the school day, working within a multidisciplinary team and alongside classroom staff to ensure therapeutic approaches are integrated, consistent, and measurable.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct occupational therapy assessments for pupils with autism, sensory processing difficulties, and developmental delays
- Design and deliver evidence-based individual and group OT interventions
- Develop sensory diets and environmental adaptations to support regulation and learning
- Collaborate with Teachers, SaLT, and Behaviour Specialists to embed therapeutic strategies into classroom practice
- Contribute to EHCP assessments, annual reviews, and multi-agency planning
- Write clear, professional OT reports for EHCPs, annual reviews, and external professionals
- Advise and train classroom staff on OT strategies and equipment use
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date clinical records in line with RCOT standards
- Communicate effectively with parents and carers regarding pupil progress and home recommendations
- Uphold safeguarding and child protection procedures at all times
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Requirements
Essential
- Degree in Occupational Therapy and HCPC registration
- Experience delivering OT with children, including those with autism or developmental needs
- Confident in sensory integration assessment and intervention
- Strong working knowledge of EHCPs and SEND legislation
- Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
- Clear verbal and written communication skills
- Commitment to safeguarding and child-centred practice
Desirable
- Postgraduate training in sensory integration (e.g. Ayres Sensory Integration)
- Experience in a specialist SEND school, early years, or paediatric community setting
- Knowledge of autism-specific frameworks and structured teaching approaches
- Experience supporting non-verbal or pre-verbal pupils
What You Get
- Competitive salary with progression
- Daily multidisciplinary collaboration in a purpose-built SEND environment
- Funded continuing professional development and specialist training
- Manageable caseload with genuine clinical autonomy
- Strong staff support and supervision structures
- 34 days holiday (inclusive of bank and public holidays)
- Laptop for work and home use
- Clear career progression pathways within a growing specialist school
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Who This Role Is For
- OTs who want dedicated specialist paediatric practice, not a mixed or generic caseload
- Clinicians who want to work within a school, not visit one
- Therapists who value real collaboration with teachers and other clinical colleagues
- OTs motivated by long-term developmental outcomes, not throughput metrics
Who This Role Is Not For
- OTs seeking a community or hospital outpatient setting
- Those uncomfortable with a school-based, team-embedded way of working
- Clinicians who prefer working in isolation from educational practice
Safeguarding
We expect everybody to share our commitment to safeguarding.
Our vacancies are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Pre-employment checks are carried out, professional references sought and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks.
We comply with the DBS code of practice. As such, having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us; the nature of the position and the circumstances and context of your offences will be considered.
Online Searches
An online search is carried out on all shortlisted candidates.
Share An Initial Interest
Please submit your CV and a brief statement outlining why you would like to work at FBS and how you feel your experience makes you a suitable candidate for this role.
Apply
After expressing an initial interest and reviewing the information on our website, suitable applicants will be invited to an initial screening phone call and to complete our application form.
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