Band 8a – Occupational Therapist Lead

Job Title:Occupational Therapist Lead
Banding:Band 8a
Location:Maidenhead, Berkshire
Start Date:ASAP
Duration:Permanent
Salary:£57,000 – £64,000 per annum (dependent on experience)
Working Hours:Full-time

A respected client is seeking an experienced and visionary Occupational Therapist Lead to join a specialist autism school in Maidenhead. This is a permanent, full-time opportunity to lead and shape therapy services in a highly innovative educational setting dedicated to supporting children aged 4–16 with complex needs associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

About the School

Located in the charming town of Maidenhead, just 20 miles outside of London, this specialist autism school supports 130 pupils with complex needs. Since opening in 2015, the school has built a strong reputation for its multi-disciplinary approach to learning, incorporating a carefully designed in-house curriculum and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).

The school embraces each child’s unique journey, guided by a deep respect for their individuality, strengths, and developmental stages. It nurtures each child’s core self, encouraging authentic expression without the need to mask. The approach is family-centred and community-oriented, extending support beyond the classroom. Strategies are tailored to each child’s medical, mental health, and neurodiverse needs.

The school operates on a foundation of transparency and mutual respect, valuing the dignity of every child. The team works collaboratively, rejecting traditional hierarchies to foster personal connections and equal partnerships. Professionals are expected to embody empathy and adaptability, learning from each child’s progress to continually refine their practice.

The school is committed to professional development, collaborative work, and the well-being of both staff and students. It offers dynamic, high-quality specialist training and professional development pathways, ensuring a responsive and supportive culture. Its vision is to be a leading provider of education for children and young adults with autism, combining ABA, evidence-based therapy, and personalised curriculums to help pupils fulfil their potential, prepare for adulthood, and lead happy lives.

Key Responsibilities

The Therapies Lead will provide clinical and operational leadership for the therapy services alongside the Head of Therapies. This includes oversight of Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, and Creative Arts Therapists (including Music, Drama, and Art Therapists).

The Therapies Lead will be a member of the school’s middle leadership team and will have one day per week allocated for leadership responsibilities, with the remaining four days focused on direct clinical work within their discipline.

Responsibilities include:

• Leading the development, optimisation, and innovation of therapy services and pathways
• Aligning therapy provision with the school’s objectives, ethos, and teaching practices
• Supporting the successful delivery of the school’s vision and priorities
• Providing consultation, supervision, and guidance to therapy staff
• Collaborating with the wider multi-disciplinary team to ensure holistic, integrated support for pupils

Qualifications and Experience

• Be a qualified Occupational Therapist registered with the HCPC
• Have significant post-qualification experience, ideally within autism or SEN settings
• Demonstrate strong leadership and team management skills
• Be confident in developing and delivering therapy services aligned with educational goals
• Be passionate about neurodiversity, inclusive practice, and family-centred care
• Have experience working within or alongside ABA-informed environments (desirable)

Why work with Pulse?

From the moment you register with us, our focus is entirely on you. During our first conversation, you’ll quickly see that we understand your specialty inside and out.

Our expert recruitment consultants are dedicated to finding you the best opportunities and supporting you every step of the way to secure the perfect placement. With our preferred or sole supplier status with many clients, you’ll have access to exclusive opportunities that you won’t find anywhere else.

We always…