Overview
The post holder will hold a specialist caseload of children (aged 11-19) with physical disabilities and profound and multiple learning difficulties within a special school setting, and will also provide support for children within the mainstream school setting. The post holder will have advanced skills in working with children with physical disabilities and prescription of specialist equipment in the educational setting, including specialist seating and moving and handling equipment. The role supports a high level of MDT working, with PT/SLT, within the specialist settings.
They will manage their own caseload, travelling between schools to work alongside teaching staff to ensure highly specialist therapy programmes are in place for the children under their care. They will work collaboratively with children/young people (CYP), parents/carers and with colleagues in Health, Education and Social Services in service planning, policy and delivery of services for this client group. They will provide clinical education and training to Occupational Therapy students and provide clinical supervision to Occupational Therapy Assistants and OTs developing specialist skills in this field.
Responsibilities
* Communicate complex patient-related information to ensure collaborative working with multidisciplinary team members across health, education and social services and the voluntary sector. Work with early years and school staff to deliver a well-co-ordinated care plan and/or individual education plan to facilitate sensory, perceptual, motor and daily living skills.
* Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team in schools.
* Support access to and differentiation of the Foundation Stage and National Curriculum for children with physical difficulties/developmental disabilities.
* Advise on manual handling risk assessment, access to school environments, and provision of specialist equipment (seating and hoisting equipment) and aids to daily living.
* Share information with others, observing confidentiality and data protection guidelines, and observe local guidance on sharing information with colleagues in education, social services and the voluntary sector.
* Communicate highly complex condition-related information (verbal and written) from assessment to CYP, parents/carers, and MDT/other professionals. Include training packages for parents, teachers and other professionals around management of CYP with physical, sensory and perceptual difficulties.
* Respect cultural and linguistic differences of children and families.
* Work closely with CYP, carers and families, involving them in decision-making regarding intervention approaches and ensuring effective communication, especially where barriers to understanding exist.
* Lead clinical provision for comprehensive specialist assessment and differential diagnosis of individual children and neonates with diverse and complex presentations using a range of specialist assessments/techniques.
* Plan, deliver and evaluate highly specialist treatment programmes in the area of school and special school provision.
Additional Information
Due to an increase in funding an exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and highly committed individual to work within this unique and vibrant OT team. We are looking for a Band 7 or Band 6 practitioner seeking the next career steps.
We are looking for an experienced, motivated and creative OT to join our paediatric occupational therapy service. The post holder will support in coordinating and leading a highly specialist Occupational Therapy service to children and young people attending mainstream and secondary special schools within the borough of Harrow. The role involves working in mainstream schools and a special school with children aged 11-19 with a physical disability, to ensure they have the skills, knowledge and training to support them in their educational setting.
You will have opportunities to lead and influence service development and support the professional development of other staff and OT students. You will work closely with and be supported by the leadership team.
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