This is an exciting time to join our recently established Birth to Settled Adulthood Service, supporting disabled children, young people and their families from birth through to adulthood.
The service brings together a range of teams including social care, early help, short breaks, young carers and paediatric occupational therapy, all working closely to provide the right support at the right time.
This is a unique opportunity to be part of a developing service with a clear focus on helping disabled young people prepare for adulthood and achieve positive, lasting outcomes.
Main duties of the job
You will join a committed, friendly and highly skilled team who are passionate about improving the lives of disabled children and young people across Dorset. The service values collaboration, creativity and flexibility as it continues to evolve, and you will be supported to contribute your own experience and ideas.
You can expect regular supervision, team and service-wide meetings, and access to a wide range of training and development opportunities, with flexible working considered wherever possible.
In this role you will manage a varied caseload, completing assessments and supporting the provision of specialist equipment and minor and major adaptations tailored to individual needs. You will work closely with colleagues in childrens social care and adult services to support smooth and timely transitions into adulthood.
The role involves close partnership working with health, education, housing, the Dorset Accessible Homes Service, the Integrated Equipment Service, and external professionals including builders, architects, surveyors and equipment providers.
About us
The Occupational Therapy team operates from two local offices. Dorchester Local Office covers West and North Dorset, and Westport House in Wareham covers the east of the county.
You will receive regular, effective supervision and appropriate training to support you in the role and meet your ongoing professional development requirements.
Werepassionate about making Dorset a great place to live, work and visit. Working forus should be no exception.
* provide more than 450 services to over 300,000 residents
* have ambitious aspirations
* are excited about our future
* care about Dorset and all the people who live here
* know that all roles make a difference and that our employeesare key to our success
You will:
* have access toa range of employee benefits
* be part of an organisation that supports each other to grow and succeed
* have access to range of training opportunities which will help with your personal development and career progression
Job responsibilities
Job title: Occupational TherapistGrade: Level 1, Dorset Grade 9 plus 2 LMIs, Level 2, Dorset Grade 10 plus 2 LMIs, Level 3, Dorset Grade 11 plus 2 LMIsJob evaluation reference: CC 283 a/b/cJob family: Health and Social Care
Purpose and impactTo undertake statutory duties associated with the service group in which the postholder works, in line with Directorate policy and practice, and with appropriate supervision, guidance and direction.
Key responsibilitiesThe postholder undertakes statutory tasks in accordance with disability, human rights and other relevant legislation, working with colleagues to meet statutory responsibilities. The role involves managing a caseload with a high level of direction and supervision, agreeing care management approaches and contributing to decisions, plans and written reports. Duties include participation in team duty and referral systems, assessing service user needs alongside families, carers and other professionals, and evaluating risk, jeopardy and wider circumstances.
The postholder devises, implements and reviews care plans, applies appropriate occupational therapy interventions, prepares reports as required and contributes to the effective functioning of the team. Responsibilities also include maintaining accurate records on core IT systems, making records available for inspection or statistical purposes, and liaising effectively with statutory, voluntary and independent sector partners. Attendance at team meetings, relevant service meetings and ongoing training is expected, alongside contributing to service responses during civil emergencies.
The role requires working within financial and budgetary guidelines when arranging packages of care, preparing reports for court and attending legal proceedings when required, and undertaking specific projects linked to service development. Progression to higher levels is based on demonstrating increasing competence, autonomy and professional judgement in the assessment and management of more complex cases, alongside providing regular advice and guidance to colleagues.
Other factorsThe role involves exercising the statutory duties of the local authority, often working with service users who may be distressed, unwilling to accept services or seeking support that cannot be provided. There is potential exposure to verbal or physical abuse. The postholder is required to travel between locations, undertake lone working and visit people in their own homes.
Our valuesThe postholder is expected to demonstrate Dorset Councils values of Respect, Together, Accountability, Openness and Curiosity through their day-to-day practice and professional conduct.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* DipCOT, BSc in Occupational Therapy or a WFOT-recognised equivalent qualification.
* Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
* Evidence of ongoing continuing professional development appropriate to occupational therapy practice.
* Recognised qualification in moving and handling.
Experience
* Experience of working with people with physical and/or learning disabilities.
* Experience of undertaking occupational therapy assessments and care planning.
* Experience of working with service users, families and carers.
* Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
* Experience of recording, reporting and maintaining accurate case records.
* Experience of working with disabled children.
* Experience of occupational therapy practice within a local authority setting.
* Experience of undertaking housing adaptations.
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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