Job Description

About Us


Reablement is a key strategic priority for West Sussex, so now is a great time to join the service. 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 everyday life. RIS work in partnership with our reablement provider ECL (Essex Cares Ltd) to deliver the Community Reablement Service, and work closely with colleagues in the NHS and other parts of the council.



RIS works with a wide variety of customers in the community, offering a fantastic opportunity to develop and enhance your therapeutic skills in real-world settings. As an organisation, there are also numerous opportunities to learn, grow, and develop professionally.



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.



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!



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/


About The Job

Salary:

36,363 to 42,839 per annum dependent upon experience (grades 9 to 10)

Working Pattern:

Full time, 37 hours per week

Contract Type:

Permanent

Location:

Chichester and surrounding areas, or Horsham area



We are looking for an Occupational Therapist to join our Community team to be based in our Chichester or Horsham office base. You will manage a caseload collaborating with people and family or friend carers, undertake strengths-based assessments and reviews, identifying eligible needs and personalised outcomes.



In this role you will be required to undertake strengths-based assessments, applying relevant legislation and utilising Occupational Therapy skills and knowledge to develop and implement a plan of support, aimed at improving wellbeing and delivering outcomes for people. You will be working within a supportive environment to apply your occupational therapy skills to develop and implement support plans, aimed at improving wellbeing and delivering outcomes, including utilising community assets, and ensuring that eligible needs are met.



You will manage a caseload collaborating with people and family or friend carers, undertake strengths-based assessments and reviews, identifying eligible needs and personalised outcomes.



The successful applicant will possess the ability to communicate effectively, have compassion and empathy to support people who access our services, and be able to manage their own health and well-being due to the emotional demands of the role. You will have a good theoretical, practical and procedural knowledge of occupational therapy, and a good understanding of the necessity of working with partnership agencies including health, housing, education and statutory, voluntary and independent agencies. There will also be a requirement for you to work flexibly using your own initiative where appropriate to support people, carers, and families.



This role may require travel between Horsham and Chichester areas, including to locations that may not be easily accessible by public transport, council pool cars and pool bikes are available. Additionally, it involves complex physical interventions, such as transporting, demonstrating, and using community equipment.


Experience and Skills

Key Skills

(please cover with examples within your application as these are the short-listing criteria):


Experience of working proactively as a member of the team to make an accurate strengths-based assessment of needs and negotiate and implement effective plans and outcomes (in line with relevant legislation), working in partnership with carers, colleagues, and a variety of external agencies to meet people's outcomes. Experience of applying a risk enablement approach and using evidence-based practice. Experience of analysis and interpretation of people related information and data to prioritise needs and formulate plans for intervention and service provision. Experience of contributing to safeguarding enquiries. Ability to supervise and develop the capabilities of unregistered practitioners, and to mentor and coach students and apprentices. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with a range of stakeholders to provide clear advice and guidance and interventions. Ability to recognise the limits of own accountability and responsibility, know when to seek appropriate support, advice and supervision, and to prioritise and organise work and meet agreed performance expectations. Sound and accurate IT skills to ensure effective record keeping, compliant with data protection and respecting confidentiality

Qualifications:

Diploma / BSc Occupational Therapy or recognised equivalent Occupational Therapy qualification. Registration with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Valid, full driving licence. Highly Desirable*


Rewards and Benefits


For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our

Rewards and Benefits

page.


Further Information


The reference number for this role is

CAFHE06138

.



For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact Joe Vithayathil (Team Manager) at

joe.vithayathil@westsussex.gov.uk.

For issues or queries regarding your application please contact

hrrecruitment@westsussex.gov.uk

.

To apply, upload your CV and complete the application explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV. Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to HCPC registration, an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check.

West Sussex County Council is an equal opportunities employer committed to promoting an environment that is inclusive and free from all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination and values the diversity of its people. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and take every possible step to ensure that no individual will be disadvantaged.



For information regarding your eligibility to apply for this role under our Disability or Veteran's Guaranteed Interview Scheme, this can be found on our

application help

page.


Note for Recruitment Agencies: We prefer to hire people directly, but we do have a supplier list for when we need a helping hand. We'll be in touch directly if we need you!



LOCATION

Chichester area

CONTRACT TYPE

Permanent

JOB TYPE

Occupational Therapy

CLOSING DATE

30 January 2026