Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist
Southend City Council is establishing a new SEND Therapies Service for schools and settings across the council.
The service will deliver universal and targeted support to children and young people (CYP) with a range of physical and sensory needs and provide support to Southend schools and settings in developing exceptional learning opportunities and inclusive learning environments.
We are seeking an experienced and highly specialist occupational therapist to join our team. This role will involve supporting schools to develop appropriate school-based provision for physical and sensory needs including sensory audits, development of sensory spaces, fine and gross motor support, and leading and managing a team of occupational therapy assistants, measuring the impact of the service by reducing pressure on statutory and specialist services and early identification and support for CYP with physical and sensory needs.
This new, innovative service will give a therapist the opportunity to be a part of a project transforming the outcomes for CYP in Southend.
Please note that although this role will involve some hybrid working, you will be required to be present in schools and settings in Southend most of the working week. Working patterns and locations will be predominately led by the needs of the settings.
Main duties of the job
1. To deliver high quality support and guidance to Southend mainstream schools and settings to develop their universal and targeted provision for children and young people with physical and sensory needs.
2. To supervise a team of occupational therapy assistants delivering targeted services to schools.
3. To monitor and develop universal and targeted support for schools including data capture and reporting.
4. To contribute to service and policy development.
Job Responsibilities
Job Purpose
1. To deliver high quality support and guidance to Southend mainstream schools and settings to develop their universal and targeted provision for children and young people with physical and sensory needs.
2. To lead on pilots and projects across Southend related to occupational therapy.
3. To supervise a team of occupational therapy assistants delivering targeted services to schools.
4. To monitor and develop universal and targeted support for schools including data capture and reporting.
5. To contribute to service and policy development.
This will involve:
1. Provide regular supervision and line management to the occupational therapy assistant team to ensure effective practice, encourage reflection, and support career development.
2. Participating in training programmes and associated work experiences to facilitate progression opportunities.
3. Coordinate caseloads and allocate resources effectively to ensure timely and high-quality service delivery.
4. Foster a positive and supportive team culture, promoting collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
5. Use a range of evidence and performance data to refine and improve future service design.
6. Support the creation of innovative projects aimed at improving outcomes and support for children and young people.
7. Maintain accurate and up to date records of intervention and outcome measures.
8. Deliver training sessions and workshops to school staff, parents and caregivers on strategies to support physical and sensory development in children.
9. Provide guidance and support to teaching staff and teaching assistants in implementing occupational therapy techniques within the classroom setting.
10. Work with schools and settings to promote better understanding and improvements to support systems, learning environments, curriculum adjustments and approaches aimed at improving outcomes and the educational experience for children and young people.
11. To work closely with Specialist Teaching Service and other learning service areas to monitor and evaluate the impact of outreach provision to ensure it meets individual and local needs.
12. Maintain current knowledge and expertise in government legislation and guidelines pertaining to schools, children, and young people with SEND, as well as their families, and effectively communicate this information as necessary.
13. Collaborate closely with schools, children, young people, and their families to address educational challenges, ensuring accurate identification of service requirements, valuing their perspectives, and actively engaging them in enhancing future service design.
14. To implement and understand the services complaints procedure, to deescalate and manage initial complaints from families, carers, and other professionals.
15. Work within Southend City Councils safeguarding policy and framework. Monitor and manage potential risk within area of responsibility.
Person Specification
Experience
* Working with children and young people in educational settings.
* Clear, advanced clinical reasoning based on evidence-based practice within paediatrics.
* Specialised knowledge of physical and sensory needs in mainstream schools.
* A high level of specific professional expertise in Occupational Therapy, including knowledge of conditions, treatment and best practice for children and young people.
* Experience of training school staff and assistants and skills in presentation to deliver both formal and informal training.
* Working collaboratively with parents/carers and other professionals.
* Knowledge and experience of assessment (including standardised) and treatment techniques in paediatrics.
* Experience of service development.
* Experience of offering clinical supervision.
* Evidence of team/leadership responsibilities.
* Experience of carrying out risk assessments.
* Experience of running pilots and projects.
* Experience of undertaking appraisal and planning CPD for less experienced staff.
* Specialised knowledge of assessment tools, treatment techniques and therapeutic interventions.
* Demonstrate clear clinical reasoning based on evidence-based practice.
* Understanding of safeguarding.
* Awareness of the principles of clinical governance/audit.
* Understanding and application of standards of record keeping and reporting.
* Working knowledge of the roles of other professionals in Health, Education and Social Care involved with CYP.
* Demonstrates well developed ability to analyse and reflect upon complex information.
* Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal.
* Evidence of excellent organisational skills.
* Able to work independently as an autonomous practitioner.
* Demonstrates ability to be a good team member and assume leadership responsibilities.
* Negotiation, problem solving concentration, analytical and reflection skills.
* Demonstrate advanced skills in prioritisation, communication, and time management.
* Good interpersonal skills which reflect the Values and Behaviours of Southend City Council.
* Able to maintain confidentiality and sensitivity in all circumstances.
* Evidence of commitment to equality and diversity.
* Ability to travel to meet the needs of the post.
Qualifications
* Registration with Health Professions Council as an Occupational Therapist.
* Recognised Occupational Therapy degree qualification or equivalent.
* Registered member of RCOT.
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.
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