Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist (Senior / Staff Grade) - Children & Young People Services

Location: Carlow (with travel across the Midlands, and occasional visits to Cork and Wexford)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Occupational Therapist to join a well-established clinical team delivering specialist services to children and young people in care. This role offers the chance to work within a supportive, multidisciplinary environment focused on delivering high-quality, trauma-informed care.

The position is ideally full-time; however, flexibility may be considered to accommodate other commitments. A Senior Occupational Therapist is preferred, though experienced Staff Grade candidates with a strong background will also be considered.

The Role

The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering and developing Occupational Therapy services as part of a multidisciplinary clinical team. You will support children and young people with complex needs, working collaboratively with care teams and external stakeholders to ensure the highest standard of care.

The role includes both direct therapeutic work with a smaller caseload and indirect support across multiple residential settings through multidisciplinary team engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality, evidence-based Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions
• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to support care planning and service delivery
• Assess occupational performance within the context of each young person's environment, relationships, and daily life
• Apply appropriate therapeutic models to support children presenting with trauma, attachment, and developmental needs
• Provide guidance, consultation, and training to residential care teams
• Contribute to multidisciplinary meetings, care reviews, and service development initiatives
• Maintain high standards of documentation, reporting, and clinical governance
• Build effective working relationships with internal teams and external services such as Social Work, CAMHS, Primary Care, and Disability Services
• Support quality improvement, service evaluation, and adherence to regulatory standards

Candidate Requirements

• Registration (or eligibility for registration) with CORU as an Occupational Therapist
• Minimum of one year's experience working with children and young people
• Strong clinical skills with the ability to manage a varied caseload
• Experience in CAMHS, paediatrics, or mental health settings
• Understanding of residential/social care environments
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practice and child development
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and clinical reasoning skills
• Full driving licence and access to transport

Desirable Experience

• Experience working with children in care or complex trauma presentations
• Training in sensory integration and/or sensory attachment
• Knowledge of DBT, DDP, or relational models of care
• Familiarity with Irish legislation and systems relating to child protection and welfare

What's on Offer

• Salary aligned with HSE pay scales (dependent on experience and grade, pro-rata if applicable)
• 25 days annual leave plus public holidays (pro-rata where applicable)
• Strong commitment to continuous professional development, including supervision and training
• Flexible working arrangements, including some remote working
• Opportunity to work within a collaborative and supportive clinical environment
• Immediate start available following onboarding

Additional Information

The role involves travel to multiple service locations, primarily across the Midlands, with occasional monthly visits to other regions. The primary base is in Carlow, where clinical sessions are also delivered.

Apply / Enquiries

For a confidential discussion or to apply, please contact:

Shane Prendergast
086 795 6847
[email protected]

All applications will be treated with strict confidence.