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.
Adoption UK is the leading charity for adopted and care experienced people and adoptive families.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
At TLG, we’re passionate about building an exceptional staff team that’s committed to making a real difference in the lives of struggling children across the UK. We’re always on the lookout for great people to journey with us towards our vision, and we’re excited to offer a unique opportunity for a motivated and mission-driven individual to join us as Operations Manager.
About the role
The Operations Manager sits at the very heart of TLG, working closely with the Executive Director to turn vision into reality and ensure the organisation runs smoothly at every level. From trustee board and governance rhythms, through the leadership team, and out across the whole organisation, this role is pivotal in holding together the systems, structures and environments that enable TLG to flourish.
Our Operations Manager will lead and coordinate core organisational functions, champion a healthy and effective office culture, and provide confident, cross‑organisational leadership. With oversight of strategic and operational coordination, they will ensure that TLG’s systems, rhythms and ways of working are not just efficient, but actively support our people to thrive and our mission to be lived out day‑to‑day.
Your Impact
We’re looking for someone who brings clarity, steadiness and strong operational instincts to a fast‑moving, purpose‑driven organisation. They will thrive on making organisational life run smoothly - someone who can confidently hold the rhythms, plans and processes that keep TLG functioning at its best, while translating bigger strategic priorities into clear, practical action.
This person will be naturally organised, proactive in spotting improvements and able to simplify complexity into manageable systems that serve the whole team. They will be comfortable influencing across the organisation, building trust, and partnering well with others. Above all, they will care deeply about TLG’s mission and bring a thoughtful, solutions-focused approach that strengthens our culture, compliance and operational excellence.
Job Purpose
At the heart of the Operations Manager role is the opportunity to shape how TLG works at its best. This role brings strategic insight to the design and continual improvement of our organisational rhythms - streamlining key processes, strengthening ways of working, and unlocking efficiencies that free our people to focus on what matters most. By stewarding the operational heartbeat of TLG, the Operations Manager ensures that our rhythms are not only well‑managed, but intentionally aligned with our mission, enabling clarity and momentum across the organisation.
TLG is a Christian charity and, as a team, we want to bring our faith to the work we do; as such, we are recruiting an individual with a strong and vibrant Christian faith. We would welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds to enable us to better reflect the needs of the communities we serve.
Hours: 22.5 - 37.5 per week (0.6 – 1.0 FTE)
Closing Date: Sunday 26th April
Initial Interviews: Thursday 30th April – Online
Final Interviews: Monday 11th May – at our National Support Centre in West Yorkshire