Job summary Established in 1975, the Hesley Group provides flexible, specialist residential services and further education. We aim to offer the best possible care, education and vocational opportunities for young people and adults, often with autism, who have a learning disability and complex needs including behaviour which may challenge. Our therapy service staff make a key contribution to our capacity to provide effective person-centred support. We are now recruiting for a full time Therapy Assistant to be based in out Adult service at Meadow View.This is an exciting opportunity for an individual looking for a new challenge and who has the drive to support people to develop independence and skills in all aspects of their lives. You will work directly with Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists within a wider multi-disciplinary team that includesand Applied Behaviour Analysts, Psychologists, Care Managers, Team Leaders, Support Workers and Vocational staff. Main duties of the job You will be an enthusiastic, creative and passionate individual who likes to take on new challenges and work with lots of different people. You will strive to provide the best quality of life for the people you support through your work.The post would suit someone looking to develop their knowledge and skills within the field of Autism, Learning Disability and Complex Needs. For an informal discussion regarding this role, please contact Erica Craig, Head of Allied Health Professions. Erica can be contacted via 01302 866906 ext 1709 Interviews will be taking place on the 22nd January 2025. About us Benefits of working for us: Continuous support and feedback through 1:1 supervision 7 weeks holiday Ongoing free mandatory and development training days Regular promotion opportunities Pension scheme Access to hundreds of discounts and benefits through our Hesley Hub reward and recognition platform, as well as the chance to win up to £100 vouchers every month from our STAR Awards. Access to our employee assistance programme which includes counselling and physiotherapy Date posted 06 January 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £24,167 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number U0020-25-0000 Job locations Stripe Road Tickhill Doncaster South Yorkshire DN11 9HH Job description Job responsibilities Policy No: Per 1.1.1 Therapy Assistant Job Description Job Title: THERAPY ASSISTANT Service: Central Services Therapeutic Services Responsible to: Head of Allied Health Professions Overview of Key Responsibilities: The role of the Therapy Assistant is to support and assist in the provision of a service to individuals who live within the group and to ensure that they work with qualified Occupational and Speech and Language Therapists to bring about an understanding of the persons occupational and communication needs within a positive behaviour support framework. The role purpose is to support people to develop skills to enable them to become more independent and able to live a lifestyle of their choosing that supports health and wellbeing, through engaging in assessments and delivering interventions as directed by the Occupational Therapist or Speech and Language Therapist. The Therapy Assistant will have a good basic understanding of the role and professional values of the Occupational Therapist and the Speech and Language Therapist. The Therapy Assistant will have some understanding of the needs of individuals with learning disability, autism and complex needs and will build upon this understanding through support form clinicians to ensure that this brings about good practice in all aspects of engagement. The Therapy Assistant will develop an understanding of each of the clinical pathways and documentation contained within to ensure that the support and involvement they have is in line with these principles. The Therapy Assistant will be expected to work collaboratively with all other employees, families, carers and stakeholders to promote the wellbeing and best interests of the people who use our services, again through guidance and supervision and as directed by clinicians. Main Duties and Responsibilities Clinical 1 To demonstrate an understanding of the role of the Occupational Therapist and the Speech and Language Therapist in working with individuals with Learning Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorders and complex need. 2 To understand the process of each profession in undertaking assessment, interventions and evaluations with people living within the service. 3 To understand the complex needs of the people within the service and develop, through time in role an understanding of information that is required to be communicated between clinicians, care teams and other key individuals within the service. 4 To develop positive relationships with all individuals and understand what a therapeutic relationship should be. 5 To develop skills to undertake clinical supervision, so learning to reflect on practice and gain knowledge about clinical practice through the processes of formal and informal supervision with qualified clinicians. 6 To develop skills to write and maintain up-to-date and accurate case/progress notes through support from clinicians, to also develop understanding of the profession specific processes in relation to this. 7 To contribute to reports for people living in the service through verbal or written means to the relevant clinician. 8 To have ability to organise resources, plan of work to support a number of demands from a number of clinicians. 9 To facilitate individual or group therapy sessions either with or under direction of clinician. 10 To communicate feedback regarding sessions based on the aims and objectives set by the clinician. 11 To understand how to maintain (if required) and use variety of technology within the team. Communication 12 To attend and contribute to meetings internal to the Therapeutic Services. 13 To act as a positive role model to support others to bring about positive outcomes and best practice within the service. 14 To represent the team and department throughout all communications with teams across sites. 15 To communicate information that may be sensitive and confidential to the relevant people. Personnel Development 16 To informally support Care Support staff to understand the reasons for and how to follow up with interventions as required. 17 To support team members to professionally develop in ways beyond traditional boundaries in order to bring about positive impacts for the service and people we support. 18 To provide mentoring, shadowing and opportunities for new team members and or students to further support own learning and growth. Personal and Professional Development 19 To undertake personal/professional development planning within an appraisal framework. 20 To have some understanding of own learning and development needs. 21 To attend relevant training and development in order to maintain and develop skills and knowledge required to support clients. 22 To develop understanding of evidence base and good practice through engagement with variety of opportunities such as conferences, courses, meetings, networks and special interest groups as appropriate. Service improvement/Quality Governance 23 To engage in the development and improvement of services. 24 To engage in reflective learning, peer discussions and team development days to contribute to the generation of new ideas to bring about a constant improvement in quality within clinical practice. 25 To work alongside clinicians to develop and deliver training across a broad spectrum of needs and styles where identified. General/Administration 26 To carry out administrative duties to include data collections, updating as required to ensure prompt provision of such data for the team. 27 To engage in and take responsibility for the security, care and maintenance of team equipment and resources including plans for risk management, infection control and safe handling. 28 To undertake any other duties as required by the Head of Therapies, which may include a change in workplace. 29 The post holder will be required to work with people whose behaviour may challenge them, this may involve highly distressing or highly emotional circumstances. 30 The post holder will be required to work within infection control and health and safety guidelines. Health & Safety In carrying out the tasks in this job description you have a duty (under Health & Safety legislation) to take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and that of others. This implies taking positive steps to understand the hazards in the workplace, to comply with safety rules and procedures and to ensure that nothing you do, or fail to do, puts yourself or others at risk. This includes contributing to a safe and secure environment for people who use our services. To remain vigilant and do everything possible to protect people who use our services, and others, from abuse of a physical, emotional, sexual, neglectful, financial or institutional nature. This includes an absolute requirement to report any incident of this nature you witness, hear about or suspect. This organisation is committed to the protection and safeguarding of children and adults at risk, and promoting their welfare. The Hesley Group, therefore, expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced level DBS Disclosure and Barring Check, including a check against the "Barred List" in respect of the Adults/Childrens workforce Prepared by Human Resources Department: Date: 6 January 2025 Job description Job responsibilities Policy No: Per 1.1.1 Therapy Assistant Job Description Job Title: THERAPY ASSISTANT Service: Central Services Therapeutic Services Responsible to: Head of Allied Health Professions Overview of Key Responsibilities: The role of the Therapy Assistant is to support and assist in the provision of a service to individuals who live within the group and to ensure that they work with qualified Occupational and Speech and Language Therapists to bring about an understanding of the persons occupational and communication needs within a positive behaviour support framework. The role purpose is to support people to develop skills to enable them to become more independent and able to live a lifestyle of their choosing that supports health and wellbeing, through engaging in assessments and delivering interventions as directed by the Occupational Therapist or Speech and Language Therapist. The Therapy Assistant will have a good basic understanding of the role and professional values of the Occupational Therapist and the Speech and Language Therapist. The Therapy Assistant will have some understanding of the needs of individuals with learning disability, autism and complex needs and will build upon this understanding through support form clinicians to ensure that this brings about good practice in all aspects of engagement. The Therapy Assistant will develop an understanding of each of the clinical pathways and documentation contained within to ensure that the support and involvement they have is in line with these principles. The Therapy Assistant will be expected to work collaboratively with all other employees, families, carers and stakeholders to promote the wellbeing and best interests of the people who use our services, again through guidance and supervision and as directed by clinicians. Main Duties and Responsibilities Clinical 1 To demonstrate an understanding of the role of the Occupational Therapist and the Speech and Language Therapist in working with individuals with Learning Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorders and complex need. 2 To understand the process of each profession in undertaking assessment, interventions and evaluations with people living within the service. 3 To understand the complex needs of the people within the service and develop, through time in role an understanding of information that is required to be communicated between clinicians, care teams and other key individuals within the service. 4 To develop positive relationships with all individuals and understand what a therapeutic relationship should be. 5 To develop skills to undertake clinical supervision, so learning to reflect on practice and gain knowledge about clinical practice through the processes of formal and informal supervision with qualified clinicians. 6 To develop skills to write and maintain up-to-date and accurate case/progress notes through support from clinicians, to also develop understanding of the profession specific processes in relation to this. 7 To contribute to reports for people living in the service through verbal or written means to the relevant clinician. 8 To have ability to organise resources, plan of work to support a number of demands from a number of clinicians. 9 To facilitate individual or group therapy sessions either with or under direction of clinician. 10 To communicate feedback regarding sessions based on the aims and objectives set by the clinician. 11 To understand how to maintain (if required) and use variety of technology within the team. Communication 12 To attend and contribute to meetings internal to the Therapeutic Services. 13 To act as a positive role model to support others to bring about positive outcomes and best practice within the service. 14 To represent the team and department throughout all communications with teams across sites. 15 To communicate information that may be sensitive and confidential to the relevant people. Personnel Development 16 To informally support Care Support staff to understand the reasons for and how to follow up with interventions as required. 17 To support team members to professionally develop in ways beyond traditional boundaries in order to bring about positive impacts for the service and people we support. 18 To provide mentoring, shadowing and opportunities for new team members and or students to further support own learning and growth. Personal and Professional Development 19 To undertake personal/professional development planning within an appraisal framework. 20 To have some understanding of own learning and development needs. 21 To attend relevant training and development in order to maintain and develop skills and knowledge required to support clients. 22 To develop understanding of evidence base and good practice through engagement with variety of opportunities such as conferences, courses, meetings, networks and special interest groups as appropriate. Service improvement/Quality Governance 23 To engage in the development and improvement of services. 24 To engage in reflective learning, peer discussions and team development days to contribute to the generation of new ideas to bring about a constant improvement in quality within clinical practice. 25 To work alongside clinicians to develop and deliver training across a broad spectrum of needs and styles where identified. General/Administration 26 To carry out administrative duties to include data collections, updating as required to ensure prompt provision of such data for the team. 27 To engage in and take responsibility for the security, care and maintenance of team equipment and resources including plans for risk management, infection control and safe handling. 28 To undertake any other duties as required by the Head of Therapies, which may include a change in workplace. 29 The post holder will be required to work with people whose behaviour may challenge them, this may involve highly distressing or highly emotional circumstances. 30 The post holder will be required to work within infection control and health and safety guidelines. Health & Safety In carrying out the tasks in this job description you have a duty (under Health & Safety legislation) to take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and that of others. This implies taking positive steps to understand the hazards in the workplace, to comply with safety rules and procedures and to ensure that nothing you do, or fail to do, puts yourself or others at risk. This includes contributing to a safe and secure environment for people who use our services. To remain vigilant and do everything possible to protect people who use our services, and others, from abuse of a physical, emotional, sexual, neglectful, financial or institutional nature. This includes an absolute requirement to report any incident of this nature you witness, hear about or suspect. This organisation is committed to the protection and safeguarding of children and adults at risk, and promoting their welfare. The Hesley Group, therefore, expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced level DBS Disclosure and Barring Check, including a check against the "Barred List" in respect of the Adults/Childrens workforce Prepared by Human Resources Department: Date: 6 January 2025 Person Specification Qualifications Essential GCE/GCSE or Equivalent in English. GCE/GCSE or Equivalent in Maths. Desirable Accredited qualification or further training in a vocational or practical skill. Experience of working in a health or social care environment. Experience Essential Experience of working within a team. Experience of working with people from a broad variety of backgrounds, life experiences and cultures. Experience of communicating with a range of others in a work environment. Desirable Previous experience of working/volunteering/placement within a healthcare or social care setting or environment. Some experience of managing, organising and prioritising workload. Experience of working alongside qualified clinicians. Knowledge Essential Basic understanding of the role of Occupational Therapist and Speech and Language Therapist working with learning disability, autism and associated mental health difficulties. Good understanding of IT systems and assistive technology that is applicable to the client group. To have a broad understanding of the occupational and communication needs of the people that live within the service. Some understanding of basic healthcare legislation such as confidentiality, safeguarding and mental capacity. To have a general understanding of how learning disability, autism and or complex need can impact on the daily lives of individuals who live within the service. Person Specification Qualifications Essential GCE/GCSE or Equivalent in English. GCE/GCSE or Equivalent in Maths. Desirable Accredited qualification or further training in a vocational or practical skill. Experience of working in a health or social care environment. Experience Essential Experience of working within a team. Experience of working with people from a broad variety of backgrounds, life experiences and cultures. Experience of communicating with a range of others in a work environment. Desirable Previous experience of working/volunteering/placement within a healthcare or social care setting or environment. Some experience of managing, organising and prioritising workload. Experience of working alongside qualified clinicians. Knowledge Essential Basic understanding of the role of Occupational Therapist and Speech and Language Therapist working with learning disability, autism and associated mental health difficulties. Good understanding of IT systems and assistive technology that is applicable to the client group. To have a broad understanding of the occupational and communication needs of the people that live within the service. Some understanding of basic healthcare legislation such as confidentiality, safeguarding and mental capacity. To have a general understanding of how learning disability, autism and or complex need can impact on the daily lives of individuals who live within the service. 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 Hesley Group Address Stripe Road Tickhill Doncaster South Yorkshire DN11 9HH Employer's website https://www.hesleygroup.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)