Occupational Therapist
Salary: £34,434-£36,363 per annum (pro rata)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Tech North LS7, Leeds
About You
* You will have a degree or diploma in Occupational Therapy and a special interest in Paediatrics. Experience working with children and families, and with the provision of specialist equipment and/or major adaptations would be an advantage. Newly qualified Occupational Therapists are encouraged to apply.
* You will be a problem solver, develop positive relationships and make sound judgements, have excellent interpersonal skills and be a team player.
* You will be a confident communicator with a can‑do approach, motivated, a critical thinker and able to understand the needs of children and families.
* You will be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, supporting our Child Friendly vision for Leeds.
About The Role
You will play a key role in reducing the barriers experienced by children and young people with health and disability needs in their own homes. You will join a highly motivated and committed team working with Social Workers and multi‑agency colleagues. We offer supervision and support for continuous professional development.
What We Offer You
* A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
* Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
* Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
* A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
* A range of staff benefits to support your wellbeing and improve your financial situation.
Job Purpose
Under the general direction of a Team Manager, and with support from Senior Occupational Therapists, provide a high quality and comprehensive Occupational Therapy service to adults, children and young people, carers and the community in accordance with organisational needs, policy and practice of the Directorate and within statutory guidelines.
Responsibilities
* Undertake Occupational Therapy assessments, deemed suitable for allocation to an OT in line with experience post qualification. Assessments should have an occupational focus and aim to reduce barriers to inclusion.
* Undertake re‑enablement assessments with an occupational emphasis and be responsible for overall care planning.
* Organise work activities, prioritise tasks and ensure statutory legislation and service priorities are met.
* Manage an allocated caseload of disabled people and regularly monitor, review and evaluate changes in needs, ensuring services contribute effectively to support plans.
* Complete moving and handling and hoist training, and, with appropriate guidance, carry out appropriate moving and handling assessments.
* Under clear supervision, contribute to enhanced screening of new referrals and people already in receipt of services.
* Provide or recommend services to disabled people which remove barriers to social inclusion, based on assessed needs and risks.
* Develop, implement and review outcome‑focused Occupational Therapy interventions to promote independent wellbeing and inclusion.
* Identify specialist housing needs of disabled people and support them in accessing suitable housing/adaptations.
* Deliver, fit and collect equipment as appropriate, including necessary moving and handling of equipment.
* Provide written and verbal reports which are concise, informative and based on an analysis of complex information.
* Work to and within the prescribed standards of the College of Occupational Therapists.
* Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date case notes and records, and write reports as required.
* Use management information systems, keep them up to date and provide concise and accurate information respecting data protection.
* Participate in meetings and relevant forums.
* Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals within the council and partner agencies.
* Work closely with other services in the council to deliver effective and efficient solutions to barriers faced by disabled people.
* Obtain the views of the disabled person during the assessment process and consider them when making recommendations.
* Contribute to the promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.
* Work with families and carers to help them make informed decisions and promote meaningful activity in their lives.
* Actively promote and support Leeds City Council’s policies on Equality and Diversity.
* Understand and apply all relevant practice standards, policies and procedures.
* Maintain compliance with governance, policy and procedures; adhere to safeguarding framework.
* Work to prescribed standards for service provision, maintain performance and develop practice in line with supervisory targets.
* Disseminate knowledge and contribute to delivering a high standard of service.
* Provide support and professional supervision to staff to ensure appropriate skills and competencies.
* Attend regular supervision with identified supervisor.
* Assist with the practice education of undergraduate OT students.
* Research and use evidence to base professional practice.
* Identify and implement strategies for responding to concerns about practice.
* Promote Occupational Therapy to colleagues both within and outside the council.
* Participate in training and development activities to maintain registration with the HCPC.
* Comply with all Leeds City Council, Directorate Policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, and staff instructions.
* Support staff and serve as a resource for the clinical team.
* Contribute to the delivery of a high standard of service and compliance with all relevant policies.
Specific Responsibilities Within The Blue Badge Eligibility Assessment Team
* Carry out standard in‑clinic assessments for Blue Badges using the Department for Transport Guidelines.
* Contribute to the telescreen assessments.
* Undertake visits to establish eligibility for Organisational Badges.
Specific Responsibilities Within Children And Young People Services
* Consider the development of the child or young person and the needs of the family/carer when making recommendations for service provision.
* Obtain the views of the child or young person as well as the family/carer during the assessment process and take these into account when making recommendations.
Specific Responsibilities Within Environment And Housing
* Understand and contribute to the annual service plans of the Health & Housing service that creates opportunities for all disabled people and their families to live independently in quality, affordable, safe and stable housing.
* Know cross‑tenure funding streams and the scope of adaptations and re‑housing services within Council.
Specific Responsibilities With The Occupational Therapy Recovery Team
* Work on a rota pattern between 8 am and 8 pm seven days a week, including some weekend working.
* Provide Occupational Therapy advice and support to the SkILS Reablement team outside of office hours.
* Take a lead in the discharge planning for customers in the Recovery Hubs.
Specific Responsibilities For Integrated Reviewing Team
* Be part of a citywide integrated reviewing team and undertake reviews for customers who meet the agreed criteria.
* Undertake moving and handling risk assessments and make recommendations to reduce care packages.
* Update support plans on CIS and liaise with CCC as appropriate.
* Provide detailed moving and handling plans to care providers and give advice, support and guidance.
* Work with care agencies to ensure staff competence in single‑handed care/optimised handling.
* Work closely with social workers in the Integrated Reviewing Team.
* Achieve agreed KPIs for the number of assessments completed weekly.
* Provide detailed performance information weekly to evidence savings and equipment expenditure.
Specific Responsibilities For Early Intervention Team
* Provide enhanced screening to new contacts who meet the criteria for the Early Intervention Team.
* Promote independence and wellbeing by intervening early to support individuals and prevent deterioration where possible.
* Embed reablement principles within the Early Intervention Teams and establish a strengths‑based approach.
* Make appropriate referrals to the area Disability Services Team.
* Provide detailed performance information to evidence savings.
Qualifications
Appropriate professional qualification (Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy). Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) upon commencement of the post and maintenance of yearly registration.
Essential Requirements
* Ability to effectively plan, prioritise, time‑manage and evaluate workload.
* Effective communication with partners, service users, carers and colleagues.
* Ability to engage individuals, families and carers from diverse backgrounds.
* Ability to identify appropriate Occupational Therapy interventions to promote positive change.
* Capacity to carry out safe functional assessments and provide physical assistance where necessary.
* Ability to move and handle equipment for assessment and provision.
* Person‑centred approach in assessing the needs of and working with individuals and groups.
* Competence in IT, including Microsoft Office, Internet and Email.
* Accurate record keeping, assessment and policy compliance.
* Technology proficiency for evidence recording and communication.
* Judgement, risk assessment and appropriate consultation.
* Proactive use of supervision for reflective practice.
* Drivers licence.
Knowledge
* Qualified as an Occupational Therapist.
* Registration with HCPC.
* Knowledge of Occupational Therapy models and community application.
* Awareness of legislation relevant to disabled people.
* Understanding of factors impacting disabled people and families.
* Knowledge of statutory and voluntary agencies' roles.
* Basic IT system awareness.
* Current trends, policies, legislation and regulatory bodies in vulnerable people settings.
* Confidentiality and safeguarding awareness.
* Diversity awareness within local communities.
* Reporting, communication and writing skills.
Experience
* Implementation of person‑centred focused approach.
* Creative problem‑solving.
* Initiative and commitment to service development.
* Use of reflective practice for decision making.
* High‐standard written records and reports.
* Effective use of supervision.
Essential Behavioural & Other Characteristics
* Identify and take account of diversity in practice.
* Maintain HCPC registration annually.
* Embrace Leeds City Council values, behaviours and codes of conduct.
* Commitment to continuous improvement and the city ambition for health, wellbeing and zero carbon.
* Understand and observe equality and diversity policies.
* Adhere to Health and Safety responsibilities.
* Willing participation in training and development.
* Flexibility and adaptability to support services.
* Participate in appraisal and development activities.
* Compliance with council policies and procedures.
* Support equality and anti‑discrimination actions.
* Challenge racism, bullying, harassment and victimisation.
* Follow flexibility protocol and work within parameters.
Desirable Requirements
Skills
* Ability to devise, implement, review and evaluate service and support plans.
Knowledge
* Understanding of the role and function of the Local Authority in services for older and disabled people.
* Knowledge of equipment and adaptations available and their application.
Experience
* Advocacy and user involvement.
* Initiative.
Behavioural & Other Related Characteristics Required
* Knowledge of the problems of disadvantaged groups.
Equal Opportunities
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We promote diversity and strive for a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council ranks 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023 and is an age‑friendly, mindful and disability‑confident leader.
#J-18808-Ljbffr