Overview
Occupational Therapist in Housing, Essex County Council. This opportunity is available as a 24 month fixed term contract or secondment opportunity. We’re an adult social care service that aims to maximise citizens’ choice and control, helping people live independently in a home of their own, with access to care and support as needed.
This is an exciting opportunity for a housing Occupational Therapist with experience in major adaptations to develop and support local district and borough councils. As an OT you will work alongside Environmental Health and Housing Officers within the quadrants to facilitate safe and early discharge of people from hospital, residential/nursing placements and hospices.
The post may involve working with adults and children with life-limiting conditions and life-altering injuries to prevent formal care placements where home environment is not yet suited to their needs. The focus is to ensure discharges are not delayed due to adaptation or housing issues.
Responsibilities
* Complete holistic assessments that include all housing factors impacting the individual and their household.
* Work with Health colleagues to process referrals to achieve safe, early discharge and prevent delays.
* Refer to universal services where appropriate and liaise with other colleagues, including Family Operations, to meet the needs of the individual.
* Address needs associated with specific impairments by providing equipment, support and signposting to alternative services where appropriate.
* Make recommendations based on assessed need for property types, adaptations and equipment, considering Health and Housing policy and legislation.
* Progress and support recommendations where specialist input is required.
* Collaborate with Housing Officers to support Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) funded recommendations.
* Progress referrals effectively so that adaptations are completed efficiently.
* Develop creative housing solutions with local and district councils to support adults and children with greatest need and reduce hospital, hospice or residential/nursing care length of stay.
* Manage cases assessed by Health or Social Care OT to support Housing Officers.
About You
If you share our vision, enjoy meeting people and hearing their stories you might be interested in this role. You’ll be an Occupational Therapist registered with HCPC with a combination of creative thought, reliability and practical ability to get things done, and you’ll be confident in person-centred and positive risk-taking approaches.
You should have experience of Occupational Therapy and major adaptations, modelling good practice and providing advice and guidance in complex situations. You’ll demonstrate evidence-based practice with awareness of financial considerations and risk.
You will have strong communication skills and the ability to develop relationships with partner agencies and the local community to provide a supportive framework. This role involves travelling throughout Essex; a driving licence and car (or the ability to meet mobility requirements by other means) is essential.
What We Offer
We’ll support you to be your best and offer:
* Ongoing opportunities for continuing professional development
* Flexible working options
* Employee wellbeing and counselling
* Lease Car scheme
* Life assurance of three times annual salary
* Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) – view Key Facts and FAQs
* Volunteering leave
* 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising with service
* Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
* Employee Networks – communities to support you and help influence change at ECC
* Payment of your professional registration fees
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. We welcome diversity and are committed to being an inclusive and anti-racist organisation.
Essex County Council is a Disability Confident Leader and supports reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. We encourage applications from disabled people, veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements.
To apply or for more information, please contact Abbie Mollison at Abbie.Mollison@essex.gov.uk.
Essex County Council is proud to be part of the Government’s devolution priority programme and supports flexible working arrangements where possible.
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