Occupational Therapist, Children and Families (West Essex)

About the role

Occupational Therapist, Children and Families (West Essex)

Permanent, Full Time

£36,101 to £48,622 per annum

Location: Harlow

Closing Date: 8th May 2024

Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It’s an exciting time to join us. Not only have we been named Outstanding by Ofsted, we are delighted and at the same time humbled to have been crowned Social Work Employer of the Year for the second time in the last three years!

The Opportunity

Under the supervision of the OT Manager and professional supervision of a Senior Occupational Therapist, you will deliver effective OT interventions to children/young people and their families which are informed by current research, legislation and policy.

The Role

You will be located within one of the quadrant teams (West), however there will be a requirement to work within different quadrant locations according to service demand. Your casework will focus on children’s and young people’s cases that need equipment and adaptations to their homes. You will be an effective communicator and committed to delivering a high-quality service. The children and young people with disabilities service are an established team of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants who have a passion for maximising independence and well-being for children and young people with additional needs. The team have previously welcomed newly qualified Occupational therapists who have flourished within a supportive environment, led by team members who have a ‘can do attitude’ and enviable reputation.

Job Purpose Summary

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

· Facilitate choice and empowerment through promoting independence as far as possible.

· Ensure that children/young people are safeguarded and that Southend, Essex and Thurrock (SET) safeguarding procedures are followed.

· Provide information and advice about other areas of support available to the child/young person and their families.

· To brief supervisor/ team manager on all relevant developments on each case.

· Actively and regularly participate in Essex County Councils supervision and yearly appraisal to ensure best practice and continued professional development.

· Assist in the development of new service initiatives and implementation.

· To participate in the on-going development and training of the team, and the service area. Attending team meetings and sharing ideas and best practice.

· Required to be mobile throughout Essex and therefore a valid driving licence and use of car required, unless the role can be undertaken effectively by alternative transport arrangements.

Role Specific Accountabilities

· Carry out specialist assessment/reviews of children/young people and families taking into account their needs and the impact of societal, attitudinal, cultural and environmental barriers which prevent participation in activities of daily living

· To take account of the impact of long-term impairment on the development of the child/young person, and their carers and family, social, economic, personal well-being.

· To recognise and identify safeguarding risks to children and actively support investigations where appropriate.

· Assess the needs and risks for children and young people and identify actions appropriate to meet needs and address risk

· Request and organise appropriate services in response to children/young people and their carers to meet their eligible needs whilst ensuring Best Value.

· To liaise, consult and work effectively with other professionals in order to identify and meet the child/young person’s and their family’s needs e.g. Social Care staff, Essex Equipment Service, Health Care professionals, District Councils, Housing Teams.

· Provide detailed and professional written reports and plans to meet needs and aspirations and present ideas and solutions to meet identified needs.

· Make recommendations and provide sketches, diagrams and specifications for adaptations to the child/young person’s accommodation to remove environmental barriers where possible and liaise with other professionals and agencies to meet complex needs.

· Ensure the safe use of equipment and adaptations, evaluate and review its effectiveness (following and evidencing a risk based approached) and teach children/young people and families to safely use equipment and comply with relevant legislation, policy and guidelines.

· To hold a caseload of a level of complexity appropriate to post holders expertise and personal development.

· Undertake administrative duties and maintain clear and professional records of assessment and progress for each case to ensure good practice and that targets are met contribute to the production of accurate statistical information relating to workload.

The Experience You Will Bring

· Diploma of the College of Occupational Therapists or B Sc.O.T. or other professional qualification recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Registration HCPC as Occupational Therapist

· Experience in working with children and young people with disabilities is desirable.

· Knowledge of assessing for and prescribing equipment to promote independence is desirable.

· Knowledge in identifying the need for minor and major adaptations to promote independence is desirable.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

To read more about us please visit: Children & Families

Why Essex?

Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England’s oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest – Basildon and Harlow – are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career. Read more about us.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email daniel.warner@essex.gov.uk

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