Occupational Therapist Level 2 - Autism
Manchester City Council
Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time Additional Payments: Essential Car User Allowance Closing Date: 21 April 2026 Closing time: 11.59pm Interview Method: Face to Face This Role is Subject to: Applicants must have existing right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Legal right to Work:In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. 2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history. Qualification - BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy Qualification and registration with HCPC Medical Clearance - Pre-placement health assessment (PPHA) Essential Car Documentation- This post is a designated Essential Car User. Therefore, you must always hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work. You will receive the Essential Car User Allowance. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here. We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request. This role offers the chance not only to deliver high‑quality, person‑centred occupational therapy, but also to play a pivotal part in developing a specialist autism pathway, working alongside the Autism Lead and wider colleagues across Adult Social Care. What We Offer · A Principal Occupational Therapist in post, leading the way and shining a light on what we do as Occupational Therapists · A supportive, collaborative working environment with strong supervision structures. · Access to training, CPD and tailored development opportunities, including access to a therapy padlet providing a one stop platform for all things OT in Manchester City Council. · The chance to help shape a developing autism service and influence strategic practice across the city. · Flexible and hybrid working arrangements where appropriate. · Monday – Friday working, with no working on bank holidays or weekends, and a 35 hour working week, supporting a positive work/life balance. · Access to our state‑of‑the‑art Smart Suite (Smart Suite - Manchester Local Care Organisation) What our OTs say ‘There is no doubt about the vibrance, spirit and sheer potential that defines Manchester. Working in a city that is bold, dynamic and not afraid to do things differently has been an exciting opportunity and experience as an occupational therapist’ ‘I love Manchester as a City and working with the citizens of Manchester is amazingly rewarding. The community OT role offers the opportunity to work with a diverse range of citizens with a range of conditions, this means that after 23 years of working as an OT I am continuing to learn every day and every day is different. The flexible working means that I can establish a good work life/balance’ How to Apply If you are passionate about autism‑inclusive practice, committed to enabling independence and excited by the opportunity to shape a developing service, we would love to hear from you. For further information about the role, please contact Nichola Picken, Autism Lead via Nichola.Picken@manchester.gov.uk You will be resilient, empathic, compassionate and motivated. You must be organised and have excellent oral communication and written skills and be able to complete comprehensive reports in a timely and efficient manner. You will have extensive experience and knowledge of delivering high-quality occupational therapy assessments and interventions for autistic adults, to support individuals in achieving independence and well-being. We are looking for a critical and innovative thinker who can gather and analyse information, manage risk and maximize citizens' quality of life. You will maintain the standards set out by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Royal College of Occupational Therapy (RCOT). We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities. Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone. Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours: Benefits we offer Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people. Support During the Process Guaranteed Assessment Scheme We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below: When You Join Us We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering: For more information about the role or any adjustments, email jobs@manchester.gov.uk. What we will need from you if you're successful In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship. Pre-Employment Checks If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for, see the top of the advert for details. These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve. Other relevant information We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
This is a developing role, offering the unique opportunity to shape and enhance the autism‑specific OT offer within the service. You will collaborate closely with the Autism Team to embed autism‑inclusive practice across the directorate and contribute to wider organisational development.
As the service expands, there will be opportunities to take on supervisory and staff‑management responsibilities, supporting the ongoing development of junior staff, students and apprentices.
Key Responsibilities
Specialist OT Assessment & Intervention
· Carry out holistic, strengths‑based OT assessments for autistic adults, including sensory and functional assessments
· Provide tailored, evidence‑based intervention plans that promote independence, positive risk‑taking and wellbeing.
· Offer specialist input into sensory and environmental strategies to support regulation, participation and engagement.
Workshops & Independence‑Building
· Design and deliver group workshops focused on life skills, daily routines, sensory regulation, social participation, and building independence.
· Work in partnership with person‑centred planners to ensure individuals shape their own goals, plans and progress.
Equipment, Adaptations & Safety
· Recommend and facilitate equipment, assistive technology and environmental adaptations to maximise independence.
Collaborative Working
· Work alongside other professionals including Social Workers, Learning Disability/Autism health professionals etc
· Contribute to safeguarding processes, addressing and managing risks appropriately.
Service Development & Leadership
· Contribute to the ongoing development of the Autism Team’s offer, identifying gaps and service improvement opportunities.
· Support the professional development of team members through supervision, mentoring and training.
About Our Service
As part of Manchester Local Care Organisation, you will work within an integrated environment that brings together NHS and Adult Social Care.
Manchester is a forward‑thinking, diverse and vibrant city, committed to supporting practitioners through strong professional development, peer supervision and opportunities to innovate.
Ready to apply?
Location
, , Manchester, , United Kingdom
Job ID
7680
Supporting You Through Every Step of Your Journey
We want every candidate to feel welcomed, informed and confident when applying for a role with us.
This section brings together everything you need to succeed - from guidance on writing an authentic application to and understanding how to use AI responsibly.
You’ll also find information about our Greater Manchester commitments, including our inclusive employment schemes and standards, as well as tools to help you explore your potential pay, benefits and entitlements. We’re here to ensure you have the support you need at every stage.
Working for a local authority in Greater Manchester
Local authorities across Greater Manchester are proud to be part of a shared commitment to widening access to employment and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
These commitments span a number of long‑standing schemes and initiatives designed to open doors, remove barriers and ensure all applicants feel valued and respected throughout their employment journey.
Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter
Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter
Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment
Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment
Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards
Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards
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Applying Authentically With AI: Our Greater Manchester Approach
Across Greater Manchester’s local authorities, we want to hear your genuine experiences, skills and motivations, expressed in your own words.
To keep our recruitment process fair and inclusive, please complete your application personally and follow the instructions carefully. AI can be used to support you - for example, to help structure your answers or as a reasonable adjustment - but your application should still reflect your authentic voice. If you do use AI as a support tool, a brief explanation helps us ensure an equitable selection process.
Applications that depend too heavily on AI‑generated content may not progress to shortlisting.
This guidance outlines acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI, along with suggestions for using it in a way that supports you while keeping your application true to you.
What Is AI and How Do We Use It Across Greater Manchester?
AI refers to technology that can create or refine content, such as text, ideas, summaries, or planning. It can help improve productivity, problem-solving, and creativity.
We’re open to using innovative digital tools where they can help us work smarter and deliver better services for our residents. However, every use of AI is carefully considered to make sure it is ethical, responsible, and aligned with public-sector values.
When it comes to recruitment, we take a human-centred approach.
This means:
A trained hiring manager reads every application
Shortlisting is based on objective criteria required for the job
Interviews are conducted in person or via teams by the hiring manager for the role
All hiring decisions are made by hiring managers, not algorithms
AI does not make decisions in our recruitment process and our managers are being upskilled to spot AI in applications, particularly when this might have been used in a way that doesn’t feel genuine. If something in an application raises a question or concern, we will test this out with assessments or at the interview stage to confirm authenticity.
Our aim isn’t to catch anyone out but to make sure we’re getting to know the real you, giving every candidate a fair chance and finding the right person for the role.
Using AI in Your Application
When it comes to job applications, what matters most to us is you. We want to see your personality, your experience, and what excites you about joining our team.
We recognise that AI can be a helpful tool to support accessibility during the application process. If you choose to use AI for support, please read the instructions carefully and make sure your application is written in your own words, reflecting your genuine skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.
We’re looking forward to hearing your story.
How to use AI Effectively and Responsibly
Your application is your chance to show us:
Who you are
What you can bring
The values you hold
Why you want to make a difference
AI can help you organise your thoughts or improve clarity but it cannot express your unique voice, experiences, or motivations.
AI is most helpful when used to:
Help you structure the information you are providing to evidence the criteria
Give examples of how to use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
Proof-read to highlight grammar or spelling errors
Provide inspiration if you're finding it difficult to find the right words to explain something
But remember: your honesty, lived experience, and motivations are irreplaceable.
Do’s and Don’ts for Using AI in the Recruitment Process
Do:
Use AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement
Ask AI to help tidy up your writing or clarify structure
Use it to brainstorm examples, then rewrite them in your own voice
Reflect on AI suggestions and adapt them to match your experience
Use AI to help with research, but express your understanding yourself
Don’t:
Copy and paste AI-generated content directly into your application
Let AI exaggerate or invent experience you do not have
Rely on generic statements that don’t reflect the specific role requirements
Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice
