Independent Occupation Therapist – Remote

Independent Occupation Therapist for our Centre for Fostering and Adoption Support Service (CFAS).

Location: Remote

Closing date: 09:00am on Friday 28^th August 2026

Interview date: TBC

Pay and Work Allocation: The rate of pay is £50 per hour. Plus, milage at 45p/mile (for the first 10,000 miles driven in the tax year).

We are looking for an Occupational Therapist who has the ability to work with children, young people and adults, including people with disabilities, on a self-employed basis. 

About us

Adoption Matters is a children’s charity and one of the largest voluntary adoption agencies in the UK. We recruit, train and support individuals, couples and families looking to adopt and offer ongoing support and training. We also offer a support service for adopted adults and birth families, and a specialised therapy service.

In 2024, we launched our not-for-profit fostering agency, Foster Care Matters. As a non‑profit provider, the service is committed to reinvesting resources to deliver high-quality support and ongoing training for foster parents. More recently in 2026, we acquired 1^st Affinity Fostering Service in Wrexham, securing a not-for-profit future for the agency in Wales.

The Centre for Fostering and Adoption Support (CFAS) service offers a wide range of support and training services for fostering, adoption and permanency. The successful self-employed applicant will carry out work as required in assisting the Centre for Fostering and Adoption Support (CFAS) in its delivery of multi professional fostering and adoption support services.

For more information on the management team and our board of trustees, please visit our Team Page on our website.

Make a difference and play a pivotal role in ensuring the charity delivers meaningful outcomes.

What we’re looking for:

Experience and qualifications

Experience of therapeutic work with children and parents/carers
Qualified Occupational Therapist Registration with a professional body i.e. HCPC Registration is essential. Training in specific assessment and therapeutic methods such as Ayres Sensory Integration, Theraplay, DDP, EMDR, ASI, Story Stem Assessment, BUSS and SAI qualifications is desirable.

Knowledge

Professional knowledge of child and adolescent development, trauma and loss Knowledge of Adoption & Children Act 2002 Associated Guidance and Regulations Adoption Support Regulations 2005 Knowledge of Attachment Theory and its lifelong impact.
Awareness of current adoption and childcare research and experience of applying it in practice.
Knowledge of Adoption Matters or an interest in finding out about the agency and how it operates.

Ability

To effectively manage a complex and diverse caseload with support and advice from a contact manager, using evidence-based / child-centred principles: including prioritisation assessment.
To contribute specialist advice.
To contribute to the training and education of staff, to ensure a quality service is delivered.
To contribute to a high-quality service, by working within national, local and professional standards and to act as a source of expertise and advice for other professionals.
To support the services expanding its philosophy and its commitment in the field of Fostering, adoption and permanency and to share in the agency’s development plans.
To comply with the agency’s statutory obligations, including fostering, adoption and safeguarding of children and adults.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At Adoption Matters, we are committed to fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered. Our ambition is to create a culture that embraces diversity, promotes equality, and ensures inclusion for all.

Our commitments:

Equality
We strive to provide equal opportunities for all employees, regardless of background, identity, or personal circumstances. We are dedicated to eliminating discrimination and bias in all forms.

Diversity
We celebrate the diverse perspectives and experiences each individual brings to our organisation. We believe diversity drives innovation and strengthens our community.

Inclusion
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and supported. We actively work to remove barriers and ensure all voices are heard and valued.

We are open to discussions about any adjustments or flexible arrangements you may need at any stage of the process. If you join us, we will support you to reach your full potential. The only aspect we assess in your application is how you have demonstrated your ability to meet the essential requirements of the role.

What’s next? It’s easy!

Follow the instructions below to apply — we can’t wait to hear from you!

How to apply

Please download and complete the Self-Employed Contractor form and the Equality and Diversity Monitoring form, before returning them with a detailed CV outlining your career history and work.

Please return your application and CV by email to:

Email: recruitment@adoptionmatters.org.uk

Applications are reviewed throughout the advertising period, and we reserve the right to close this advert early depending on recruitment needs.

Post:
FAO HR Department
Adoption Matters
14 Liverpool Road
Chester, CH2 1AE

If you require further information, please contact the HR team on 01244 390 938.

Adoption Matters is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Our recruitment process includes DBS checks and other relevant pre-employment checks, including the right to work in the UK. Anyone joining the Adoption Matters team is subject to safer recruitment checks.

Please refer to our Safeguarding Policy available.

Please note that we can only contact candidates selected for interview and we are unable to provide feedback on individual applications.

Independent Occupation Therapist – Remote

More about us