Occupational Therapist - Supported Living Services
We are a Local Authority committed to serving our community and improving the lives of our residents. We are currently seeking a motivated and talented Occupational Therapist to join us for an exciting new 3-year project focused on developing our Supported Living Market. We are looking for individuals with excellent communication skills and the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues, service users, and healthcare providers.
You will hold a degree in Occupational Therapy and be registered with HCPC. Community experience is beneficial but not essential. You should demonstrate a passion for improving services, strong influencing skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with team members, providers, and partner organizations. An interest in supported living, exploring, and developing new ways of working is important, along with openness to innovation and change, both as a participant and a leader. The ability to develop and deliver training within your area of expertise is also key.
The Supported Living Project:
We currently support around 380 people living in supported living services through accommodation-based services and community outreach, working with approximately 50 providers to deliver a range of services from a few hours a week to 24/7 support.
Main duties of the job
About the Role: You will manage a varied caseload across supported living services in and around Reading Borough, contributing to team performance and positive outcomes for residents. Your responsibilities will include:
* Reviewing individuals in supported living services
* Collaborating with providers to set, review, and meet outcomes
* Encouraging change in practice through proactive collaboration
Your skills and experience will be central to the project's success, helping to develop priorities, change ways of working for providers and the council, and explore innovative approaches to improve residents' lives. Using a strengths-based approach and your unique Occupational Therapist skills, you will support individuals to find solutions, promote wellbeing, and facilitate healthy occupations through interventions such as equipment provision, adaptations, moving and handling, goal planning, re/enablement approaches, provider training, and collaborative working. You will work closely with the assigned Social Worker, care providers, Housing Services, and Health colleagues, within the legal framework of relevant legislation, guidance, policies, and procedures.
This role is initially a 3-year project, with a clear pathway for the Occupational Therapist to transition into another team within Adult Social Care at its conclusion, ensuring continued development and stability.
About us
Our offer: We provide a competitive salary and a range of benefits, including:
* Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years, with options to buy additional leave
* Maternity, adoption, parental, and sick pay
* Flexible working opportunities
* Access to training and development programs
* On-site nursery (Kennet Day Nursery), rated outstanding by Ofsted
* Season Ticket Loan for travel costs
* Lease car salary sacrifice scheme for a new, eco-friendly car, including insurance, servicing, and road tax
* Salary sacrifice scheme for Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) for retirement savings
Closing date: Applications will be reviewed upon receipt. Interview date: To be confirmed.
For more information about this role and the team, please contact Sandra Sheldon, Review Team Manager, at sandra.sheldon@reading.gov.uk or call 07834 802 697.
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for detailed duties.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Refer to the attached job description and person specification for details on qualifications.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A Disclosure check will be required to identify any criminal convictions.
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