Overview
You will need to bring to the role an ability to take a personalised approach to creative problem solving, assessment and support planning so that people can achieve their desired outcomes. As a Senior or Community Occupational Therapist you will visit people in their own homes and undertake assessments of disabled and older people, using a strength based, occupational focus, and aim to reduce barriers to inclusion in day-to-day activities. This will include making recommendations for major adaptations and equipment to enable people to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. You will need to have established and/or developing skills in moving and handling, including positive risk taking to identify solutions to reduce risk which considers the needs and personal outcomes of disabled people and their families. Experience of undertaking assessments for optimised handling, including single handed care would be an advantage.
Professional supervision and line management are provided by a Disability Team Manager, who is a qualified OT. Senior OTs are responsible for supervising less experienced members of the team. We encourage our staff to grow their career with us, from students and newly qualified Occupational Therapists through to senior and experienced managers. Continued Professional Development (CPD) is at the heart of our practice and staff are given half a day a month to develop this. There is a clear career progression pathways and work to ensure that there is the right balance between support and challenge in all roles. Opportunities are available to be involved in development work within the Council and with other agencies and we provide opportunities for all our registered OTs to support student education and to gain skills in the supervision and support of unregistered staff and new graduate OTs.
Under the general direction of a Team Manager to provide a high quality and comprehensive Occupational Therapy service to disabled adults, children and young people, carers and community. This is an experienced Occupational Therapy role with specific responsibilities for managing a caseload of higher levels of challenge and complexity, including assessment and management of risk and to provide casework advice, support and guidance to other team members.
Responsibilities
* To undertake a range of complex Occupational Therapy assessments with an occupational focus to reduce barriers to inclusion.
* To undertake reablement assessments with an occupational emphasis and be responsible for the care planning for the whole process.
* To manage and monitor a workload of complex and diverse cases within agreed policies and practices with professional guidance to safeguard and promote welfare of individuals, families and carers.
* To develop, implement and review outcome-focused Occupational Therapy interventions to meet assessed needs and promote independent well-being and inclusion within delegated levels of responsibility.
* To identify specialist housing needs of disabled people and their families and support access to suitable housing and adaptations.
* To organise work activities prioritising tasks to meet statutory legislation and service priorities.
* To provide written and verbal reports that are concise, informative and based on analysis of complex evidence, including recommendations for major adaptations and bespoke equipment.
* To complete moving and handling and hoist training, perform complex moving and handling assessments, and provide subsequent advice and training to disabled people, carers and staff as appropriate.
* To carry out complex moving and handling assessments and make recommendations for specific equipment to reduce risk for carers.
* To deliver, fit and collect equipment as appropriate, including moving and handling of equipment.
* Following assessment, provide/recommend complex and bespoke services to remove barriers to social inclusion and improve quality of life for disabled adults, older people, children and young people.
* To obtain the views of the disabled person during the assessment process and reflect their views in recommendations for service provision.
* To lead enhanced screening of new referrals and people already in receipt of services.
* To provide comprehensive knowledge of specialist equipment and complex adaptations to users, carers and less experienced team members.
* To provide expert advice, support and guidance on casework to less experienced team members, both registered and unregistered.
* To provide support and professional supervision to new graduate OT, OT students and unregistered staff to ensure appropriate skills and competencies.
* To attend regular personal and professional supervision with identified Supervisor.
* To provide practice education for OT students, including student placements and related activities.
* To maintain up-to-date case notes and other records and write reports as required.
* To assist with recruitment and selection of new graduate OT Community OTs and unregistered staff.
* To contribute to improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.
* To use management information systems, keep them up to date and provide concise and accurate information about circumstances and plans within data protection requirements.
* To analyse information to support ongoing needs of service users, families and carers.
* To work with other services within the council to deliver efficient and effective solutions to barriers faced by disabled people.
* To work to prescribed standards for service provision and maintain performance and develop practice in line with personal targets through supervision and appraisal.
* To disseminate knowledge and contribute to delivering a high standard of service.
* To develop and maintain effective relationships with disabled people, families and carers, providing advice and support, promoting independence and early intervention where necessary; help resolve conflict where appropriate.
* To work with individuals, families, carers and communities to help them make informed choices and decisions, enabling them to clarify and express their needs and contribute to service planning.
* To develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals within the directorate and partner agencies to ensure integrated, multidisciplinary care management and safeguarding of disabled adults, older people, children and young people.
* To contribute to safeguarding investigations in accordance with legislative requirements and Multi-agency Safeguarding procedures.
* Undertake risk assessments, identify needs and options.
* To identify and implement strategies for responding to concerns about practice or procedures and seek guidance when required.
* To participate in meetings and relevant forums and work to College of Occupational Therapologists standards and promote awareness of these.
* To promote Occupational Therapy to colleagues within and outside the Council.
* To develop practice by maintaining knowledge of related theories and legislation and using evidence to base professional practice.
* To participate in training and development activities to ensure up-to-date knowledge and CPD.
* To understand and apply relevant practice standards, policies and procedures; maintain up-to-date personal CPD folder to retain HCPC registration.
* Under the direction of the team manager undertake specific pieces of work related to customer feedback, representations, complaints, multi-agency projects or service developments and action appropriate improvements.
* To deputise for the Disability Team Manager as required.
Additional Responsibilities by Service Area
* Blue Badge Eligibility Assessment Team: carry out complex and children’s in-clinic assessments for Blue Badge applicants and telescreen assessments; manage, analyse and screen new referrals and allocate to staff.
* Children and Young People’s Services: consider development needs of the child/young person and family when making service provisions; obtain views from child/young person and family during assessment.
* Environment and Housing: contribute to annual service plans creating opportunities for disabled people to live independently in housing of their choice; knowledge of cross-tenure funding streams and adaptations/re-housing services.
* Occupational Therapy Recovery Team: work on a rota 8am-8pm, 7 days a week; lead discharge planning for customers in Recovery Hubs; complete support plans for defined groups to facilitate discharge.
* Community Wellbeing Service: use a Person-Environment-Occupation Performance model; provide OT assessments on joining and review; embed reablement with a strengths-based approach; design reablement-focused support plans; undertake moving and handling assessments and promote single-handed care; work with care agencies to ensure staff competence for single-handed care; priorities include hospital discharges and large care packages; provide detailed moving and handling plans and evidence savings/expenditure.
* Early Intervention Team: enhanced screening of new council contacts; promote independence and wellbeing by early intervention; embed reablement with strengths-based approach; refer to Disability Services; provide performance information and complete support plans; coordinate with SW teams to ensure best pathways.
Qualifications and Knowledge
* Qualification in Occupational Therapy - Degree/Diploma; Registration with HCPC upon commencement and maintenance of yearly registration.
* Able to use a range of OT interventions and plan, prioritise and manage a complex workload.
* Ability to carry out OT assessments of people with complex needs and develop, implement and manage proposed recommendations; safe functional assessments and physical assistance as required; complex moving and handling assessments including single handed care; move and handle equipment for assessment and provision.
* Strong written and verbal communication; ability to interact with a range of partners, disabled people, carers and colleagues; assertiveness and conflict management; ability to innovate and problem solve; develop and evaluate service and support plans; person-centred approach.
* IT proficiency (Microsoft Office, Internet, Email) and maintain accurate records.
Essential Knowledge
* HCPC registered OT with relevant professional qualifications; recent CPD; knowledge of physical and mental health conditions and legislative framework for disabled people; understanding of multi-agency roles and safeguarding; awareness of diversity and equality policies; familiarity with data protection.
* Understanding of current trends, policies, legislation and regulatory bodies related to vulnerable people in social care.
* Commitment to Leeds City Council values, diversity and anti-discrimination; flexibility to work within the Council’s values and policies; willingness to participate in training.
* UK work eligibility requirements as per government guidance; sponsorship eligibility rules apply for non-UK applicants.
Benefits
* A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays;
* Membership of West Yorkshire Pension Fund with employer contributions;
* Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements;
* Clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities;
* Staff benefits to support wellbeing and financial wellbeing.
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