Specialist Occupational Therapist
Job Introduction
As one of the UK's best employers, Bridge College, part of the Together Trust, is looking for a passionate and dedicated
Specialist Occupational Therapistto join our multidisciplinary team in Openshaw, Manchester. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of young people aged 16–25 with learning disabilities, autism, and physical disabilities.Location: Bridge College, Openshaw, Greater ManchesterHours: 37.5 hours per week | 41 weeks per yearContract: PermanentSalary: £43,150 FTE (£39,667 pro-rata, term time only) plus biennial increments
You’ll manage your own clinical caseload, delivering high-quality occupational therapy assessments and interventions for students with complex needs. Using specialist facilities including a hydrotherapy pool, sensory areas, rebound therapy, and assistive technology, you’ll work closely with families, carers, tutors, and colleagues to develop personalised strategies that support learning, communication, independence, and everyday life skills.
Key responsibilities:
- Assess occupational needs and set individual goals.
- Deliver and monitor OT interventions and programmes.
- Advise on specialist equipment, adaptations, and support strategies.
- Support sensory, motor, and functional skills development.
- Provide training and guidance to staff, families, and carers.
- Maintain clinical records and contribute to reviews and reports.
- Support Occupational Therapy Assistants and students through supervision and guidance.
- Contribute to service development and quality improvement initiatives.
What We’re Looking For:
Essential:
- BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy and HCPC registration.
- Membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapy (RCOT).
- Minimum 2 years’ post-qualification experience.
- Experience supporting people with learning disabilities and autism.
- Strong assessment, planning, communication, and report-writing skills.
Desirable:
- Sensory Integration training.
- Experience in education or SEND settings.
- Knowledge of assistive technology.
- Experience supervising staff or assistants.
- Understanding of SEND legislation.
- Driving licence and access to a car.
Why Join Us?
- Generous pension scheme and death in service benefit, up to 7% company pension contributions initially rising with length of service and up to 6 x basic salary death in service benefit.
- Occupational sick payand family friendly policies includingenhancedmaternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
- Reward and Discount platformoffering discounts at high street shops, travel, insurances etc.
- Cycle to workscheme
- Eligibility to apply for Blue Light card
- Proud to be a real living wage employer
- Refer a friend scheme, be rewarded for recommending a friend to work with us
- Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including apprenticeship qualifications
- Long service awardsincluding cash gifts and extra holiday.
- Promotion of Wellbeingacross the organisation including Mental Health First Aiders offering wellbeing support from trained colleague and free weekly yoga session in person or online.
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programmefor you and adults at your home.
- Inclusive networksfor colleagues to join if they’d like to (Disability & Neurodiversity Action group, Race Equality Network, Proud Together (LGBTQ+ group), Together for Men, Women Together).
Together we make a difference, develop and learn, and support each other. Every day with us is different, but our mission remains the same: To champion the rights, needs and ambitions of the people we support - they are at the heart of everything we do. We stand by them and we work together for change.
Alongside an incredible team of like-minded peers, you’ll be working behind-the-scenes to support our staff, volunteers, families, and supporters. You will be helping our work happen across the charity; enabling us to care for and champion the rights, needs and ambitions of the people we support.
Interviews are scheduled to take place week commencing 15 June 2026.
The Together Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we support and expects all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Safeguarding checks will be undertaken for the successful candidate in line with our safer recruitment policy, including an Enhanced DBS check (at no cost to yourself).
This role will involve regulated activity.
We welcome applications from individuals who have the right to work in the UK. Currently, we are not providing sponsorship for overseas staff.
Applications are very welcome from all regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status or socio-economic background. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments for disabled people. We positively encourage applications from those with lived experience.
If there is any part of your lived experience you want to keep confidential in some way please talk to the Recruitment or HR shared service teams and we will do what we can to support you.