Salary: £40,000 - £46,148 (dependent on Qualifications & Experience)
Position: Full Time (37.5 hours per week)
Available: 1
Closing date: 30th June 2025
Occupational Therapist
Salary Range: £40,000 – £46,148 (dependent on Qualifications & Experience)
Additional benefits include a £3,000 Joining Bonus (applicable when applying via our website), 28 days paid annual leave plus 8 bank holidays.
This is a permanent full-time position based at our Therapeutic Community in Kearsney Manor, Temple Ewell, Kent. Part-time hours of at least 22.5 hours per week will also be considered.
We seek an experienced and innovative Occupational Therapist with a minimum of 3 years post-Preceptorship experience to join our multidisciplinary Therapy Team.
Channels & Choices is a centre of excellence in therapeutic child-care, located in East Kent, comprising residential children’s homes, a school, and a fostering service. Our therapy team includes specialists across various disciplines, including OT, Speech and Language Therapy, Play Therapy, Art Psychotherapy, Dance and Movement Psychotherapy, counselling, and psychiatry. We also have therapy assistants delivering interventions across the organization.
As part of our community, you will contribute to transforming children’s lives and supporting their development, working with children and assisting the adults caring for them. We are committed to staff development with ample internal and external training opportunities.
Perks, Rewards, and Benefits
* Private optical, dental, and audiological cover
* Private medical care
* Loyalty scheme with additional annual leave after 2 years, up to 5 extra days
* Long service awards at 5, 10, and 15 years
* Team building events, parties, and meals
* Employee assistance program for health and wellbeing
* Yearly CPD budget and funding for external supervision
* Support towards professional registration
* Full induction training over two weeks
Job Description
Key Responsibilities
* Deliver OT services across fostering, residential, and educational settings, collaborating with the Therapy Manager and Clinical Lead.
* Provide advice and support to children, residential staff, school personnel, and foster carers.
* Conduct specialist assessments related to physical, sensory, social-emotional, cognitive, and functional skills.
* Offer recommendations, interventions, and strategies based on assessments.
* Monitor and evaluate intervention effectiveness, adjusting as necessary.
* Develop and oversee OT programs with therapy assistants and staff.
* Support staff with health questionnaires and risk assessments for weighted equipment.
* Prepare comprehensive reports and participate in multi-agency meetings.
* Contribute to child risk assessments and safety plans.
* Provide training to staff and carers.
* Engage in supervision, training, and audit processes, ensuring compliance and good practice.
* Respect cultural, racial, religious, and sexual diversity in all interventions.
* Maintain professional development and adhere to the Royal College of Occupational Therapy standards.
Person Specification
Qualifications (Essential)
* Relevant degree in Occupational Therapy
* HCPC registration
Qualifications (Desirable)
* Postgraduate training such as Sensory Integration
Experience (Essential)
* At least 3 years’ experience post-Preceptorship
* Experience with children with complex sensory needs and neurodiversity
* Proficiency with assessments and report writing
* Experience working in multi-agency settings
* Delivering interventions and providing professional guidance
Experience (Desirable)
* Experience with children in care
* Applying sensory approaches in practice
* Supervising OT practitioners
Skills & Abilities (Essential)
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team
* Relationship building and change promotion skills
* Computer literacy for documentation
* Clinical reasoning skills
Skills & Abilities (Desirable)
* Training development skills
Knowledge (Essential)
* Child development, trauma, and attachment knowledge
* Theories, practices, and research in Occupational Therapy
* Sensory integration principles and difficulties
* Understanding of conditions like ADHD, Autism, DCD
* Child Protection and Safeguarding policies
* Mental health needs of children and adolescents
Personal Qualities (Essential)
* Commitment to professional growth
* Credibility and diversity appreciation
* Supervision and reflective practice commitment
* Warm, engaging, and problem-solving approach
* Emotional resilience
Additional
* Driver’s license and own car
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. The role requires a clear DBS check, employment background check, references, and right to work verification. We promote diversity and are an equal opportunities employer. Background social media checks may be conducted on applicants.
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