Job Details
The Occupational Therapy Assistant plays an essential role within the Community Occupational Therapy Service, working in partnership with Occupational Therapists, service users, carers, and wider professional networks to deliver responsive, effective, and person‑centred support. The core purpose of the role is to help people live safely, independently, and with improved wellbeing in their own homes and communities.
What the Role Involves
Occupational Therapy Assistants contribute to a wide range of tasks that support individuals to manage daily activities, reduce risks, and achieve meaningful outcomes. Key responsibilities include:
Reducing risk and promoting safety for service users and others by supporting appropriate interventions and practical solutions.
Undertaking assessments of need and risk as directed by an Occupational Therapist, and contributing to more complex assessments when required.
Developing and contributing to person‑centred care and action plans, ensuring that all support aligns with service policies, procedures, and available resources.
Maintaining regular contact with service users and carers, helping to promote independence, inclusion, and improved health and wellbeing.
Co‑ordinating cases and maintaining high‑quality case records, including effective use of electronic client information systems.
Providing written reports, contributing to multi‑agency working, and liaising with key partners such as Health, Education, Police, and voluntary organisations.
Supporting carers and families and recognising the impact caring responsibilities may have on individual wellbeing.
Ensuring interventions are outcome‑focused, make effective use of available resources, and contribute to positive change for service users.
What Community OT does: assessing functional ability, reducing risks, supporting independence, and enabling people to remain safely at home through equipment, adaptations, rehabilitation, and practical problem‑solving.
Why this work matters: It prevents deterioration, reduces hospital admissions, supports carers, improves quality of life, and enables people to participate fully in their daily routines and community roles.
Considerable experience in a relevant setting, such as health, social care, community services, or similar environments that involve supporting people with functional, physical, or social needs.
The role requires adherence to confidentiality, information‑sharing protocols, and Child and Adult Protection guidelines.
To perform effectively, the postholder must understand:
The job profile specifies the need for knowledge of Occupational Therapy theory, professional practice models, service policies and procedures, and models of good practice within a community setting.
The Person
Education to SCQF Level 7 – this includes qualifications such as an HNC or Advanced Highers, or an equivalent level of study.
In addition, the post requires strong communication, problem‑solving, negotiation, IT skills, and the ability to deliver a reliable and effective service.