Job Description

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST (experience of children with LD essential)

Hours of work: Work hours negotiable including potential 38/52 week working

Salary banding: 31,892 - 48,635 FTE depending on experience

Our Place Group comprises of Our Place School which is an independent, specialist setting where the children are genuinely at the heart of all we do. We have 32 students on roll between the ages of 8 and 18, and offer a tailored curriculum built around each individual's needs, ensuring they meet their aims and aspirations whilst feeling safe and valued within the school community.

In addition, we have Lakeside @ Our Place Schools Ltd which is a residential facility for young people aged 8 - 18 with severe learning difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Condition, medical and behavioral needs. Working in a beautiful rural setting just 5 minutes from Malvern and close to the A44. We have free parking on site and subsidized lunches.

We are looking for an experienced Occupational Therapist.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are searching for someone who is passionate about Occupational Therapy, and keeps up to date with developments in the field, has extensive experience and knowledge of supporting children with communication difficulties, autism, global developmental delay, trauma, ADHD and other related conditions.

You will be working in close collaboration with our Care and Education team as part of our joint approach to Education, Care and Therapy.

JOB PURPOSE

To ensure the delivery of a high quality Occupational Therapy outcomes to support classroom learning and pastoral support suitable for school pupils

To design and deliver training to staff and to oversee the implementation of relevant approaches to Occupational Therapy with focus on neuro-diversity affirming approaches.

To lead on sensory assessments, creating and updating sensory profiles with clearly identified sensory preferences and ways to support these.

To oversee, implement and monitor the use of sensory items to support regulation.

To work in collaboration with the Care Team and Education Team across the school.

To deliver Occupational Therapy provision at universal, targeted and specific levels in accordance with specification in pupils' EHCPs.

To undertake other such duties of a similar level of responsibility and within the spirit of the post as may be directed by the Headteacher and Responsible Individual.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES

To assess and diagnose a wide range of occupational therapy needs

To plan appropriate therapy interventions, making fine judgements about type and timing of interventions negotiated with education staff and parents

To deliver group and individual therapy as required

To evaluate intervention outcomes

To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence based practice and outcome measures

To establish constructive relationships with pupils and interacting with them according to individual needs

To promote the inclusion and acceptance of all young people

To encourage young people to interact with others and to engage in activities

To set challenging and aspirational expectations which promote self-esteem and independence

To provide feedback in relation to progress and achievement

To deliver training sessions to staff individually or in collaboration with other therapists or education and care staff

To develop the Occupational Therapy across the school in a coordinated and collaborative way, including all other therapy disciplines; to create a culture of developing emotional wellbeing and resilience following the Trauma informed approach; to train and support staff in delivering therapeutic approaches to groups of children and to specific children

To deliver high quality Occupational Therapy to children as specified in the Provision Map at Universal, Targeted and Specific levels with special attention to EHCP specificity and identified needs across the school

To liaise with teachers and assist with the development and implementation of learning steps directly related to EHCPs outcomes for Sensory and Physical needs

To write reports on Occupational Therapy interventions as specified in EHCPs and to contribute to EHCP reviews as appropriate

To prepare and present reports for EHCP reviews for identified children

Contribute to reports for PEP's/ looked after children.

Attend MDT meetings

To introduce and develop Group parent forums

To design and implement sensory spaces throughout the school and care home which are relevant to the sensory processing needs of pupils; and can support their regulation and wellbeing

PERSON SPECIFICATION

REQUIREMENT

Good general education

Good ICT skills

Ability to analyse data and make informed judgements

Excellent organisational skills

Able to work accurately and with attention to detail

Ability to work on own initiative & within a team

Excellent interpersonal skills, confident individual who can communicate in a professional manner

Able to influence

Able to work under pressure, flexible and adaptable

Occupational Therapy qualification and be a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Experience in supporting pupils with communication difficulties, autism, global developmental delay, trauma, ADHD and other related conditions

Experience as a Sensory Integrated Therapist

Experience with Activities of Daily Living

Up to date knowledge of a range of approaches relating to neurodivergence, learning disabilities and trauma informed practice

Experience designing and delivering staff training in aspects related to Occupational Therapy (e.g. interoception; sensory profiles, PICA, etc.)

Experience in working as part of a multi-disciplinary team

Experience of handling difficult situations and conversations successfully

Able to critically reflect with the ability to analyse strengths and weaknesses to improve professional practice, problem solve at an advance level and explore alternative solutions

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 31,892.00-48,635.00 per year

Work Location: In person