St Catherine's is an exceptional place to work. We are based on the Isle of Wight in Ventnor, an eclectic town with a great community. We use our location as an additional tool to use outside the education environment on our students journeys towards independence.
Work in a multi-disciplinary team with speech and language therapists, teachers and other professionals to provide holistic support for students 9-19 years.
Our Occupational Therapy team are integral to supporting our students – the team is hardworking and enthusiastic and this role offers an excellent opportunity for growth.
Visit our website and see who our teams are and the work we do.
www.stcatherines.org.uk
Main duties of the job
Due to expansion, St Catherines is seeking a hard‑working and enthusiastic individual to join our busy and energetic team as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, supporting therapists and the wider professional team to develop students independence, functional and participation skills.
* To work with students across St Catherine’s under direct supervision of an Occupational Therapist and to support the wider Occupational Therapy Team
* To assist the Occupational Therapist in devising and delivering bespoke therapy packages; both to individual students and in small groups
* To work collaboratively with other professionals at St Catherine’s; speech and language therapy, residential support, education
* Support learning in the community and residential settings
* Work to improve sensory, motor and functional independence skills of students
About us
St Catherine’s is a national charity working with children and young people with severe and lifelong speech, language and communication disabilities. Our residential centre in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight encompasses a specialist school and sixth form, Post 19 provision, intensive speech and language therapy and occupational therapy and residential facilities. Our holistic approach ensures each and every student has access to high quality learning and personal development opportunities relevant to their needs.
Job responsibilities
1. Maintain concentration in student therapy for prolonged periods on a daily basis.
2. Be flexible to meet competing demands of the caseload and to accommodate changes in timetabling and attendance at school, e.g. class-based working, supporting lunch and break duty etc.
3. Deal with situations of a potentially distressing nature as part of the school/sixth form and Post 19 team.
4. Be involved in frequent moderate physical effort, carrying equipment and facilitating movement of students when applicable.
Duties and Responsibilities – Clinical Practice
1. Deliver and implement interventions to students both individually and in small groups as directed by the Occupational Therapist.
2. Record face‑to‑face contacts and any other information relevant to the overall care/management of the students.
3. Co‑liaise with staff and parents as directed by the Occupational Therapist and at liaison meetings.
4. Undertake administration tasks to support the team.
5. Maintain confidentiality of all students.
6. Attend and contribute to staff meetings.
7. Be accountable for own professional actions and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate.
8. Work within defined departmental and national policies/protocols and professional code of conduct to ensure quality of provision.
9. Safeguard young people and adhere to the school’s Child Protection Policy.
10. Work as part of a multi‑disciplinary team.
11. Contribute to the School improvement planning including data collection, and supporting effective team working.
Professional development
1. Identify personal/professional development evidenced by personal development plan/professional portfolio developed within an appraisal framework as appropriate to role.
2. Participate actively in clinical supervision.
3. Demonstrate an increasing ability to reflect on practice with peers, supervisors and identify own strengths and development needs alongside an Occupational Therapist.
4. Attend relevant training and development in order to develop skills and knowledge required of an OTA working in the field of paediatric occupational therapy and with specific reference to language and communication difficulties.
Teaching, training and research
1. Participate in departmental audit and research projects.
2. Participate in the development and delivery of training to others in areas of practice related to Occupational Therapy.
3. Explain the role of Occupational Therapy to visitors, students and volunteers.
4. Provide some observation sessions to students on interview placement as part of the therapy team.
Policy and service development
1. Be aware of, and adhere to, national and local policies, particularly with regard to SEN, safeguarding children and other legal frameworks.
2. Adhere to policies and procedures of the school including health and safety and safeguarding.
3. Comment on proposed service/policy developments as appropriate.
4. Participate in innovations in areas of risk management, the setting of quality standards and clinical effectiveness.
Administration, monitoring and auditing
1. Maintain up‑to‑date and accurate case notes in line with school policy.
2. Share information with others, observing data protection guidelines.
3. Gather activity data accurately and regularly, ensuring the provision of such information promptly in line with St Catherines guidelines.
4. Organise and prioritise own workload with support in conjunction with the Occupational Therapists, Head of Occupational Therapy and the School Principal.
5. Manage and prioritise a defined caseload with support from the Occupational Therapist.
6. Participate in surveys and audits as necessary in order to meet statutory requirements.
7. Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required.
Qualifications
* Five GCSE passes including English and Maths (Grade C/4 or above) or equivalent
* Experience of working with children and young adults.
* An understanding of Speech, Communication and Language needs
* A good basic understanding of Occupational Therapy
* A willingness and appetite to learn
* Excellent organisational and time management skills
* Good interpersonal and communication skills – observation, listening and empathy
* A commitment to equality of opportunity
* Training in occupational therapy – e.g. Zones of Regulation
* An understanding of child development
* Educational setting experience
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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