Job overview
We are looking for an experienced, dynamic and highly motivated therapy assistant with previous experience of supporting therapy for children.
Islington Additional Needs and Disability Children’s Service provides a multi-agency team approach to working with babies, children and young people who present with additional needs and complex disability. Within this service are teams providing assessment, diagnostic and therapy services to children in early years settings, special schools and mainstream schools.
The post holder will support the therapists working in mainstream schools (school aged children and young people) and be based at the Northern health centre, Holloway Road. They will carry out visits to schools in Islington where necessary.
We offer excellent training opportunities with a strong emphasis on individual performance appraisal and supervision.
We are a friendly and relaxed service which promotes equal opportunities and access for all. We support flexible working hours and applicants interested in part time working are also encouraged to apply.
For further information or an informal visit, please contact Liz Relf, Mainstream Therapies Team Leader,
Main duties of the job
The postholder will be responsible for delivering therapy support to children, young people and their families known to the Mainstream Therapies Team. They will deliver interventions under the guidance of a qualified therapist and support the team with home assessments as well as support the team with clinical admin such as making resources. Their role in the Mainstream Therapies team will also include carrying out administrative tasks such as contacting families to book appointments, carrying out audits, updating spreadsheets for the team and helping to organise workshops for schools and families.
Working for our organisation
Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIE
Role Responsibility:
To be a member of the mainstream therapies team and share information with team members as directed and appropriate, keeping confidentiality at all times.
Demonstrate ability to use basic computer systems, reports and inputting data.
Ensure that up-to-date written and electronic records are maintained in accordance with Trust standards with guidance from supervisor.
Respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of children and their families, and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.
Demonstrate effective communication over the telephone to parents/carers and external agencies (especially teachers and teaching assistants).
Clinical Responsibility:
Undertake specific individual or group programmes as assessed and directed by trained staff members, observing general behaviour, ability and response of the children, recording the information as requested and reporting to a supervisor.
Engage children in therapeutic activities to promote independence, safety and well-being.
Facilitate and participate in planned activities, seeking guidance if child’s condition changes.
Assist in the implementation of team member interventions including:
Assist in the running of therapy groups
Carry out therapy programmes as directed by therapists with children and young people
Under supervision of a therapist, provide a range of treatments; instructing and guiding children to support them in achieving identified goals. To work towards goals identified by the child, family/carers, the treating therapist, education professionals and the MDT
Implements therapy treatment plans
Organises transport and schedule visits or clinic appointments.
Assist team members with home assessment
Adhere to the Trust’s Policies and Procedures
To assist in completing risk assessment of environment and safety under the guidance of senior team members following local and Trust policies
Have a basic understanding of Moving and Handling Legislation and apply manual handling principles.
Assist with transfers, standing and the application of braces, splints and other equipment such as seating with support as appropriate
Ensure that toys and play materials are kept clean, safe and secure.
To support staff in gathering evidence (including research database and website searches) and developing resources.
Provide training and/or demonstrate activities and strategies to teachers/schools, with the support and guidance of therapists
To assist therapists in making and preparing clinical resources such as visual timetables
Person specification
Education/qualification
Essential criteria
1. Range of short clinical courses relevant to client group & clinical role
Desirable criteria
2. NVQ or equivalent in relevant field
Skills and abilities
Essential criteria
3. Good written communication
4. High level of organisation skills
5. Good IT skills
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
6. Knowledge of developmental disorders relevant to client group e.g. developmental co-ordination disorders and sensory processing difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Condition
7. Detailed knowledge of specific treatment approaches/strategies relevant to the client group
8. Experience of following and monitoring goals set by a therapist and modifying therapy activities
9. Experience working in a clinical role with children or young people as a teaching assistant, therapy assistant or co-worker.
10. Carrying out administrative duties e.g booking appointments with families
11. basic knowledge of informal assessment techniques
Desirable criteria
12. Participating in delivering training and presentations
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND ADULTS
To comply with the Trust’s Safeguarding Children and Adults policies, procedures and protocols. All individual members of staff (paid or unpaid) have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults This will require you to:
13. Ensure you are familiar with and comply with the London Child Protection Procedures and protocols for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people.
14. Ensure you are familiar and comply with the London Multi Agency Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Pan London Procedures.
15. Ensure you are familiar and comply with local protocols and systems for information sharing.
16. Know the appropriate contact numbers and required reporting lines.
17. Participate in required training and supervision.
18. Comply with required professional boundaries and codes of conduct
Whittington Health is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.