Occupational Therapist

East Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre (East SILC) is a large, complex 2-19 generic special school with over 470 learners on roll. Operating across multiple sites, we provide highly specialist provision for children and young people with a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities and deliver specialist services across Leeds, including the city-wide Physical Difficulties and Medical Service and the Medical Needs Teaching Service.

Following our June 2026 Ofsted inspection, East SILC was judged to be operating at the Strong Standard in every inspection area. Inspectors recognised our ambitious curriculum, inclusive culture, strong therapeutic partnerships, high-quality staff development and unwavering commitment to preparing learners for adulthood. This is an exciting opportunity to join an organisation where collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement are central to our success.

We are seeking an experienced, skilled and compassionate Occupational Therapist to establish and develop Occupational Therapy provision across East SILC. This is a career-defining opportunity to shape practice across one of the largest specialist settings in the region, ensuring therapeutic approaches are fully embedded within teaching, learning and everyday experiences for children and young people with complex SEND.

The Role

As our Occupational Therapist, you will work closely with learners, families, education staff, therapists and partner agencies to improve participation, independence, communication, regulation and preparation for adulthood.

The role offers a unique opportunity to:

• Deliver specialist occupational therapy assessment and intervention.

• Develop and embed sensory-informed practice across the organisation.

• Support learners with complex physical, sensory, cognitive and functional needs.

• Coach and train staff to implement effective therapeutic strategies.

• Contribute to multidisciplinary planning and EHCP outcomes.

• Shape service development, quality improvement and future therapeutic provision.

• Influence practice across multiple sites and services.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who:

• Is a qualified Occupational Therapist with current HCPC registration.

• Has experience of working with children and young people with SEND and complex needs.

• Has strong knowledge of sensory processing and sensory-informed approaches.

• Can translate clinical expertise into practical strategies that improve learner outcomes.

• Is confident building relationships with families and multidisciplinary professionals.

• Has the ability to influence, coach and develop practice across teams.

• Shares our values of:

Kindness | Integrity | Ambition | Collective Responsibility.

Why Join East SILC?

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a highly successful specialist organisation at a significant point in its development. You will have the opportunity to establish a new area of provision, influence whole-school practice and make a visible difference to the lives of children and young people with complex SEND.

In return, we offer:

A Strong Wellbeing Offer

• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.

• Access to independent wellbeing support through the Schools Advisory Service.

• A wide range of Leeds City Council employee benefits, including:

• Cycle to Work Scheme.

• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme.

• VIVUP employee benefits platform.

Professional Development and Leadership Growth

• Ongoing professional development and specialist training.

• A collaborative and reflective culture that values professional expertise.

• Opportunities for coaching, supervision and leadership development.

• The opportunity to contribute to system-wide SEND practice and improvement across Leeds.

East SILC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and occupational health clearance. All shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a self-disclosure form. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, online searches may be carried out as part of our due diligence checks on shortlisted candidates.

It is illegal to apply if you are on the children’s barred list.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. We seek to build a workforce that reflects the diverse community of Leeds.

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