Job summary Do you enjoy working with people and optimising their wellbeing? We are recruiting for an Occupational Therapy Assistant to work as a part of our strong and dynamic RIS service.You will receive a thorough induction, training and support to enable you to undertake your role. This is what our team members say about working in RIS: " I think we work well as a team. I feel well supported by the manager and the senior practitioner, who listen to the teams needs and react. I like the fact that as a service WSCC and RIS are extremely flexible and adjust my working to help my work life balance" "The team are very supportive with everyone being very generous in terms of sharing knowledge, experience and availability for joint visits. I feel as though the team is passionate about delivering person centred therapy and believe in the core principles of reablement" RIS is a thriving service: hard working and committed, passionate about achieving excellent outcomes for people, and excited about becoming bigger and better. Come and be part of the future Main duties of the job Our Occupational Therapy Assistants need to be resilient, adaptable, organised and able to work in a fast-paced environment. Youll need to work efficiently and accurately record your work using electronic systems. Youll need to be committed to learning about Occupational Therapy and how to implement it in practice. This role will involve undertaking strengths-based assessments with the guidance of an HCPC registered occupational therapist & then developing and implementing a plan of support aimed at improving wellbeing and delivering outcomes for people. The plans include advice, information, the provision of assistive equipment and recommendations for home adaptation supporting peoples wellbeing and independence. Additionally you will carry out risk assessments and undertake assessments under the Mental capacity Act 2007. As it is a community based and fast paced role, you need to be able to travel across the county completing strengths based therapeutic assessments, and prescribe equipment, which may include mobility aids and other equipment for independent living. This may include areas that are not easily accessed by public transport, council pool cars and pool bikes are available. About us Reablement is a key strategic priority for West Sussex in 2025, so now is a great time to join the service. The council is investing in growing the service, to reach more people and to support more residents to live as independently as possible for longer. The Regaining Independence Service (RIS) is a therapy led service working with people to help them keep or re-learn skills to manage living independently at home or to get out and about in their local community. Using a strengths-based approach, RIS work over a short and focused period with people who may have had a period of ill health or difficulties caring for themselves to maintain or regain the skills needed to enjoy their every day life. RIS work in partnership with our reablement provider ECL to deliver the Community Reablement Service, and work closely with colleagues in the NHS and other parts of the council. To help us create a reablement workforce that reflects the communities we serve, and to ensure we have diverse perspectives and insights, we would particularly welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds and those with a disability. Take a look at our Regaining Independence Service campaign page for further information on the work of the reablement teams -https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/jobs/featured-jobs/careers-in-social-care-occupational-therapy/our-teams/careers-in-our-regaining-independence-service/ Date posted 27 February 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £26,409 to £31,067 a year Grades 6 to 7 Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number F0052-CAFHE05631 Job locations West Sussex County Council Chart Way Horsham West Sussex RH12 1XH Job description Job responsibilities You will work as a part of a strong and dynamic Occupational Therapy service asa member of an area-based team. In this role you will undertake strengths-based assessments via a variety of mediums (e.g. telephone / video assessment, home-based assessment) with the guidance of an HCPC registeredoccupational therapist (as directed by Care Act 2014), utilising your skills andknowledge to develop and implement a plan of support aimed at improvingwellbeing and delivering outcomes for people. The plan will include advice,information, the provision of assistive equipment and recommendations forhome adaptation. You will also be expected to carry out risk assessments and undertake assessments under the Mental capacity Act 2007, and you will receiveinduction and training to enable you to undertake your role. Our Occupational Therapy Assistants need to be resilient, adaptable, organised and able to work in a fast-paced environment. You will need to work efficiently and accurately record your work using electronic systems. You will need to be committed to learning about Occupational Therapy and how to implement it in practice. You will enjoy working with people and optimising their wellbeing. Job description Job responsibilities You will work as a part of a strong and dynamic Occupational Therapy service asa member of an area-based team. In this role you will undertake strengths-based assessments via a variety of mediums (e.g. telephone / video assessment, home-based assessment) with the guidance of an HCPC registeredoccupational therapist (as directed by Care Act 2014), utilising your skills andknowledge to develop and implement a plan of support aimed at improvingwellbeing and delivering outcomes for people. The plan will include advice,information, the provision of assistive equipment and recommendations forhome adaptation. You will also be expected to carry out risk assessments and undertake assessments under the Mental capacity Act 2007, and you will receiveinduction and training to enable you to undertake your role. Our Occupational Therapy Assistants need to be resilient, adaptable, organised and able to work in a fast-paced environment. You will need to work efficiently and accurately record your work using electronic systems. You will need to be committed to learning about Occupational Therapy and how to implement it in practice. You will enjoy working with people and optimising their wellbeing. Person Specification Qualifications Essential A minimum of 3 GCSEs including Maths and English or equivalent qualification e.g. NVQ. Key Skills Essential Ability to undertake a strengths-based assessment with necessary guidance (as directed by the Care Act 2014) to ascertain required information. Ability to develop a person-centred care and support plan with clearly defined outcomes. Good communication and interpersonal skills to provide clear and concise guidance and to demonstrate and explain practical activities. Ability to prioritise and organise work and meet agreed performance expectations and deadlines. Sound and accurate IT skills (Microsoft Office) in order to carry out research, analyse documents, present data and undertake general administrative processes. Experience Essential Experience of working with people with disabilities or with elderly people, and an understanding of the effects of a disabling condition on a person. Some experience of working in a hospital, social care or similar formal care environment. Knowledge of the use of and the risk and safety factors associated with disability and equipment / adaptation provision. Person Specification Qualifications Essential A minimum of 3 GCSEs including Maths and English or equivalent qualification e.g. NVQ. Key Skills Essential Ability to undertake a strengths-based assessment with necessary guidance (as directed by the Care Act 2014) to ascertain required information. Ability to develop a person-centred care and support plan with clearly defined outcomes. Good communication and interpersonal skills to provide clear and concise guidance and to demonstrate and explain practical activities. Ability to prioritise and organise work and meet agreed performance expectations and deadlines. Sound and accurate IT skills (Microsoft Office) in order to carry out research, analyse documents, present data and undertake general administrative processes. Experience Essential Experience of working with people with disabilities or with elderly people, and an understanding of the effects of a disabling condition on a person. Some experience of working in a hospital, social care or similar formal care environment. Knowledge of the use of and the risk and safety factors associated with disability and equipment / adaptation provision. Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Employer details Employer name West Sussex County Council Address West Sussex County Council Chart Way Horsham West Sussex RH12 1XH Employer's website https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)