Occupational Therapist

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William Merritt Disabled Living Centre Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 11 October 2026

Apply for this job

Job summary

We are looking for an Occupational Therapist who wants to develop their skills and knowledge in adult and paediatric assessments, which include delivering Occupational Therapy Assessments at outreach centres across the region, including powered wheelchair, mobility scooter, passenger access, car seat and car seat safety assessments (travel time to outreach centres to be included within working hours).

You will need to bring enthusiasm, knowledge and experience of carrying out assessments in a variety of settings.

Main duties of the job

1. To provide Occupational Therapy equipment assessments for disabled children, young people and adults identifying current needs and future requirements and provide relevant information.

2. To provide advice and information about appropriate equipment for the families of disabled children, adults, professionals, carers and volunteers so they can make an informed choice about their needs.

3. To manage own caseload and work as an autonomous practitioner carrying out Occupational Therapy assessments.

4. To be responsible for leading on and delivering Occupational Therapy Assessments at outreach centres across the region, including powered wheelchair, mobility scooter, passenger access, car seat and car seat safety assessments (travel time to outreach centres to be included within working hours).

5. To maintain professional records and produce comprehensive reports as required.

6. To assess clients and families ability to use this equipment safely.

7. To contribute to service delivery and improvements and promote the work of the William Merritt Centre.

About us

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Occupational Therapist to join our team at the William Merritt Centre, which is a registered charity and Social Enterprise, based in the West of Leeds, but supporting the whole of Yorkshire.

Details

Date posted

04 September 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience £37,000 - £39,959 DoE + pension, pro rata for part-time hours

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

B0287-26-0003

Job locations

Aire House

100 Town Street, Rodley

Leeds

West Yorkshire

LS13 1HP

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work to ensure the maintenance of high standards of clinical care.

2. To manage a caseload of adult and paediatric assessments as an autonomous practitioner often working alone.

3. To undertake comprehensive assessments of paediatric and adult clients with physical, cognitive and learning impairments and those with complex/multi pathology presentations demonstrating a high level of understanding of the effects of disability/illness.

4. To work alongside an Occupational Therapy Assistant to undertake joint assessments, including working together at the outreach centres across the region.

5. To identify social, environmental and clinical issues that will impact on the final equipment recommendations.

6. To undertake assessments based on knowledge of evidence based practice, training and professional development.

7. To take a broad approach to assessments and develop good working relationships with other bodies e.g. NHS, other Driving Mobility centres, Social Care and Retailers.

8. To create a good working relationship with the client and their families/carers, ensuring that they are fully informed and put at ease.

9. To assess the clients understanding of the assessment process and inform in an understanding and empathetic manner dealing sensitively with those who have a high level of anxiety and/or aggression.

10. To be responsible for good communication with the client about assessment outcome including giving unwelcome or bad news.

11. To undertake risk assessments as part of the assessment process.

12. To be responsible for the safe use of appropriate equipment e.g. car seats, powered wheelchairs, moving and handling equipment etc.

13. To identify equipment required for assessments, liaise with other agencies and ensure appropriate equipment is available in time for planned assessment.

14. To participate in discussion and screening of new referrals.

15. To collate information in the form of literature, leaflets, internet articles, manufacturer and retailer information in response to information requests.

16. To be involved in developing the Equipment and Information display within the Centre for the Paediatric and Adult Services.

17. To be able to travel locally and across the region.

18. To work in line with Health and Safety legislation and to take responsibility for your own health and fitness to meet the physical demands of the job. E.g. being aware that the role may involve moving equipment around the Centre and driving across the region.

19. Maintain standards in respect of the Royal College of Occupational Therapy, Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for Occupational Therapists.

20. To contribute to flexible working practices to meet the needs of the service and business development.

21. To undertake regular supervision with a Lead Occupational Therapist.

22. Any other duties commensurate with the post holders abilities as agreed with their line manager.

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work to ensure the maintenance of high standards of clinical care.

2. To manage a caseload of adult and paediatric assessments as an autonomous practitioner often working alone.

3. To undertake comprehensive assessments of paediatric and adult clients with physical, cognitive and learning impairments and those with complex/multi pathology presentations demonstrating a high level of understanding of the effects of disability/illness.

4. To work alongside an Occupational Therapy Assistant to undertake joint assessments, including working together at the outreach centres across the region.

5. To identify social, environmental and clinical issues that will impact on the final equipment recommendations.

6. To undertake assessments based on knowledge of evidence based practice, training and professional development.

7. To take a broad approach to assessments and develop good working relationships with other bodies e.g. NHS, other Driving Mobility centres, Social Care and Retailers.

8. To create a good working relationship with the client and their families/carers, ensuring that they are fully informed and put at ease.

9. To assess the clients understanding of the assessment process and inform in an understanding and empathetic manner dealing sensitively with those who have a high level of anxiety and/or aggression.

10. To be responsible for good communication with the client about assessment outcome including giving unwelcome or bad news.

11. To undertake risk assessments as part of the assessment process.

12. To be responsible for the safe use of appropriate equipment e.g. car seats, powered wheelchairs, moving and handling equipment etc.

13. To identify equipment required for assessments, liaise with other agencies and ensure appropriate equipment is available in time for planned assessment.

14. To participate in discussion and screening of new referrals.

15. To collate information in the form of literature, leaflets, internet articles, manufacturer and retailer information in response to information requests.

16. To be involved in developing the Equipment and Information display within the Centre for the Paediatric and Adult Services.

17. To be able to travel locally and across the region.

18. To work in line with Health and Safety legislation and to take responsibility for your own health and fitness to meet the physical demands of the job. E.g. being aware that the role may involve moving equipment around the Centre and driving across the region.

19. Maintain standards in respect of the Royal College of Occupational Therapy, Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for Occupational Therapists.

20. To contribute to flexible working practices to meet the needs of the service and business development.

21. To undertake regular supervision with a Lead Occupational Therapist.

22. Any other duties commensurate with the post holders abilities as agreed with their line manager.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy.
• HCPC Registration.
• Evidence of CPD

Desirable

• Membership of professional body.
• Certificated evidence of attendance at relevant courses.
• Membership of RCOT, CYPF Special Interest Group.

Experience

Essential

• Working knowledge of a broad range of physical and cognitive conditions in children and adults.
• Experience of carrying out Occupational Therapy equipment assessments.
• An understanding of working with individuals with neurodiversity and adapting assessment and intervention approaches to meet their individual needs

Desirable

• 4+ years experience working in health and social care settings.
• Experience of completing basic seating or wheelchair assessments
• Experience of working flexibly across a range of settings.
• Experience of educating and training colleagues and students
• Experience of using assistive technology.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Ability to undertake paediatric and adult assessments independently.
• Ability to make complex clinical decisions.
• Ability to communicate clearly and present information, written and orally in a clear and logical manner.
• To contribute to service development.
• To remain up to date with professional practice.
• Ability to understand the legal implications of the profession.
• Ability to cope with stressful situations and clients with behavioural and sensory needs.
• Ability to maintain moderate physical activity throughout the working day in support of occupational therapy assessments, including moving and handling activities relevant to the assessment.
• To demonstrate competent IT skills.

Desirable

• To demonstrate good presentation skills.

Personal attributes

Essential

• Ability to maintain judgment under pressure and deal with complex medical conditions.
• Ability to solve problems.
• Ability to cope with distressing situations.
• Reliability.
• Confidence.
• Team worker.
• Enthusiasm for the work of the William Merritt Centre.
• Ability to cope with organisational change.
• Ability to develop rapport with clients quickly.
• Full UK driving license essential.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy.
• HCPC Registration.
• Evidence of CPD

Desirable

• Membership of professional body.
• Certificated evidence of attendance at relevant courses.
• Membership of RCOT, CYPF Special Interest Group.

Experience

Essential

• Working knowledge of a broad range of physical and cognitive conditions in children and adults.
• Experience of carrying out Occupational Therapy equipment assessments.
• An understanding of working with individuals with neurodiversity and adapting assessment and intervention approaches to meet their individual needs

Desirable

• 4+ years experience working in health and social care settings.
• Experience of completing basic seating or wheelchair assessments
• Experience of working flexibly across a range of settings.
• Experience of educating and training colleagues and students
• Experience of using assistive technology.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Ability to undertake paediatric and adult assessments independently.
• Ability to make complex clinical decisions.
• Ability to communicate clearly and present information, written and orally in a clear and logical manner.
• To contribute to service development.
• To remain up to date with professional practice.
• Ability to understand the legal implications of the profession.
• Ability to cope with stressful situations and clients with behavioural and sensory needs.
• Ability to maintain moderate physical activity throughout the working day in support of occupational therapy assessments, including moving and handling activities relevant to the assessment.
• To demonstrate competent IT skills.

Desirable

• To demonstrate good presentation skills.

Personal attributes

Essential

• Ability to maintain judgment under pressure and deal with complex medical conditions.
• Ability to solve problems.
• Ability to cope with distressing situations.
• Reliability.
• Confidence.
• Team worker.
• Enthusiasm for the work of the William Merritt Centre.
• Ability to cope with organisational change.
• Ability to develop rapport with clients quickly.
• Full UK driving license essential.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

William Merritt Disabled Living Centre

Address

Aire House

100 Town Street, Rodley

Leeds

West Yorkshire

LS13 1HP

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.wmdlc.org (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

William Merritt Disabled Living Centre

Address

Aire House

100 Town Street, Rodley

Leeds

West Yorkshire

LS13 1HP

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.wmdlc.org (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Adult Occupational Therapist

Rachel Hirst

[email protected]

01133508989

Details

Date posted

04 September 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience £37,000 - £39,959 DoE + pension, pro rata for part-time hours

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

B0287-26-0003

Job locations

Aire House

100 Town Street, Rodley

Leeds

West Yorkshire

LS13 1HP

United Kingdom

Supporting documents

Privacy notice

William Merritt Disabled Living Centre's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)

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