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Join our Psychology and Therapy Hub (PATH) and make a meaningful difference in everyday life for adoptive, kinship and care-experienced families. We’re recruiting an Occupational Therapist with specialist expertise in sensory processing/sensory integration and attachment-informed practice to deliver practical, trauma-informed assessment and intervention that strengthens regulation, participation and connection. 

• Make a difference that families feel every day: co-produce practical strategies that support calmer routines, better sleep, smoother transitions and greater participation at home, school and in the community. 

• Bring specialist sensory expertise: assess sensory processing and regulation needs and translate findings into clear, realistic plans for parents/carers and partner professionals. 

• Work at the sensory–attachment interface: use a trauma- and attachment-informed lens to understand behaviour and build felt safety and co-regulation alongside sensory strategies. 

• Thrive in an MDT: contribute an OT perspective to formulation-led work within PATH, collaborating with psychology and therapy colleagues to create joined-up support. 

• Flexible, UK-wide reach: deliver support primarily online with occasional travel for team days, training or commissioned work (as required and agreed). 

You’ll need: 

• HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist. 

• Strong experience supporting children/young people and their parents/carers (including complex presentations). 

• Proven skills in sensory processing assessment and intervention, including regulation strategies, activity adaptation and environmental modification. 

• Confidence working in an attachment- and trauma-informed way with adoptive/kinship/care-experienced families (or closely related work). 

• Excellent communication and report-writing skills, able to translate specialist thinking into practical, non-judgemental guidance that families can use. 

ROLE PROFILE

JOB TITLE:

Occupational Therapist

ACCOUNTABLE TO:

Clinical Lead

RESPONSIBLE TO:

Clinical Director

HOURS OF WORK:

Full time / Part time

LOCATION:

Remote working with travel flexibility

DURATION:

Permanent

SALARY / GRADE:

Grade 8 - £43.471

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

•      Clinical Director and PATH Clinical Lead
•      PATH team
•      AUK staff
•      Children and adults accessing our services
•      Referrers and external agencies as appropriate

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Occupational Therapist (Sensory & Attachment) will deliver high-quality, trauma-informed occupational therapy assessment and intervention to families with a history of adoption, kinship care and long-term fostering. The postholder will bring advanced expertise in sensory processing/sensory integration and the impact of early adversity, attachment disruption and developmental trauma on regulation, participation and family life. The role will work as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) within PATH, contributing to formulation-led support, practical strategies and therapeutic approaches that strengthen safety, connection, and everyday functioning at home, school and in the community.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·Provide specialist assessment and intervention where sensory processing differences interact with attachment needs, developmental trauma, neurodiversity and emotional/behavioural presentations.

·Co-produce practical, strengths-based support plans with parents/carers and, where appropriate, the child/young person; provide clear strategies that are realistic for family life.

·Deliver evidence-informed interventions (1:1 and group-based as appropriate) including sensory-based regulation strategies, activity adaptation, routine design, environmental modification and caregiver coaching.

·Integrate attachment- and trauma-informed principles (e.g., PACE/connection-based approaches) into OT recommendations, ensuring strategies support safety, relational connection and felt security.

·Contribute to MDT formulation and case discussions, offering an occupational therapy perspective on function, participation, sensory-motor development and regulation

·Prepare high-quality written outputs including assessment summaries, recommendations, letters and reports suitable for families and professionals; contribute to documentation required for commissioning/regulated service evidence as needed.

·Support families to understand the sensory, neurodevelopmental and trauma/attachment factors that may underpin behaviour and distress, and to implement strategies safely.

·Maintain accurate, timely records in line with organisational policies, data protection and confidentiality requirements.

·Contribute to the development of resources (e.g., guides, webinars, workshops) that translate specialist OT knowledge into accessible tools for families and professionals.

·Contribute to delivery of training in your specialist area (sensory processing, regulation, sensory-attachment interface) internally and externally.

·Actively manage a caseload, prioritising risk and complexity, and working within agreed service pathways, timescales and outcome measures.

CRITERIA

Knowledge and Experience

•  Significant experience working with children and young people and their parents/carers.

•  Experience delivering assessment and intervention for sensory processing differences and regulation needs.

•  Experience delivering remote/online OT interventions and caregiver coaching.

•  Experience of group work (parents/carers and/or young people).

•  Experience of working with adopted children, previously looked-after children, kinship or long-term foster families (or closely related settings).

•  Strong understanding of attachment, developmental trauma and the impact of early adversity on regulation, behaviour and participation.

•  Ability to integrate sensory strategies with relational/attachment-informed approaches.

•  Training/experience in DDP, PACE, NVR, therapeutic parenting or other attachment-informed models.

•  Expert knowledge of sensory processing and sensory-based regulation strategies.

•   Ability to differentiate sensory needs from (and understand overlap with) trauma responses, anxiety, and neurodevelopmental differences.

•  Sensory Integration training (e.g., postgraduate modules) and/or recognised competency frameworks.

•  Knowledge of neurodevelopmental profiles (e.g., autism, ADHD, DLD, FASD) and how these can interact with trauma/attachment and sensory processing.

•  Ability to provide accessible psychoeducation to families and partner professionals.

Qualifications and Education

   •Degree/diploma in Occupational Therapy.

   •     Current HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist. Postgraduate       training/qualification relevant to sensory integration, sensory processing or advanced   paediatric OT practice.

•  Evidence of continuing professional development (Essential)

•  Training in a range of therapeutic modalities e.g. DDP, Theraplay, BUSS model, Sensory Attachment Intervention (Essential)

Skills and Abilities

   •         Experience of working within an MDT and contributing an OT perspective to shared          formulations and plans.

•Leadership and support skills

•Group work skills

•A reflective and empowering approach

•Strong application of theory

•Creativity and innovative approach to service delivery

•A commitment to the voice of children and families

Accountability

•Consultant Clinical Psychologist

•Responsible for maintaining own professional standards

•Responsible for delivering practice within the policies and standards of the charity

Behaviours

•Demonstrates commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of role at      all times.

•Contributes to an open and honest culture

•Supports, encourages, and motivates colleagues.

•Encourages challenge, creativity and innovation.

•Leads by example.

•Values transparency and consistency.

•Understands the role of individual and collective accountability.

•Actively contributes to Adoption UK’s mission.

•Has a clear understanding of other colleagues’ roles and responsibilities

•Shares skills and knowledge.

•Promotes Cross Functional team working.

•Offers outstanding service to members.

•Takes pride in Adoption UK and promotes its values in all interactions with external stakeholders.

•Identifies and uses the most appropriate form of communication.

•Communicates clearly, seeking clarity when unclear and valuing the opinion of others.

•Treats colleagues and other stakeholders with respect, honesty, fairness and courtesy

•Is responsive to colleagues, third party professionals and service users.

•Takes pride in own development.

•Enthusiastic and committed to achieving high standards and meeting agreed objectives.

•Takes an active interest in recognising professional and personal development needs and priorities within Adoption UK.

This role profile is a guide to the nature of the work required and may involve other such duties as deemed necessary by the Organisation. It is not wholly comprehensive or restrictive. The role profile will be reviewed with the post-holder at significant points for the Organisation.

Postholder is expected to abide by all organisational policies, codes of conduct and practice, and to work within a framework of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.

Join a team that's making a real difference.

Adfam is the leading national charity tackling the effects of alcohol, drug use or gambling on family members and friends. We improve life for thousands of people. One way we do this is by empowering families and friends to get the support they need.

We want anyone affected by someone else's drug or alcohol use or gambling problem to have the chance to benefit from healthy relationships, be part of a loving and supportive family and enjoy mental and physical wellbeing.

This role offers the opportunity to be part of a successful national remote service, offering support via the phone or Zoom to affected adults in the UK. We are looking to recruit experienced Family Support professionals to provide these virtual support sessions to individual family members and sometimes groups. We are offering a number of roles at 15-20 hours per week, across 3-5 days, including Wednesday and at least 2 evenings per week (Mon-Wed).

Experience in supporting family members affected by someone else’s substance use is essential, as is experience with assessing and managing risk. Ideally, you would also have experience of working to support parents with their parenting and / or those experiencing domestic abuse. We offer fixed hours part time contracts within a friendly and supportive team. Whilst based at home and requiring the ability to work autonomously, Adfam prides ourselves on our supportive team ethos and working culture. 

• Salary: £30,000 pro rata
• 6.5% contributory pension scheme
• Contract: One year with likely extension

This is a remote working position based at home.

Please note, although counselling skills and qualifications are welcome and valuable as part of a skillset for this role, these are not counselling roles. This is professional support work and requires additional experience or skills in substance use, social work, complex family work or a related field. The role requires directive and facilitative guidance and input. If you are a counsellor looking for typical counselling work, please do not apply for this role. Thank you.

Closing date: Sunday 19th April

Application packs can be downloaded from our website. Alternatively, please email us to request one.

Adfam actively welcomes applications from all sections of society.