Occupational Therapist, Children and Families (West Essex)

Occupational Therapist, Children and Families (West Essex)

Permanent, Full Time

£36,101 to £48,622 per annum

Location: Harlow

Working Style: Community-based worker

Closing Date: 8th December 2024

Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our
investment in our workforce is second to none. It’s an exciting time to join
us. Not only have we been named Outstanding by Ofsted, we are delighted and
at the same time humbled to have been crowned

Social Work Employer of the Year

for the second time in the last three years!

The Opportunity

Under the supervision of the OT Manager and professional supervision of a
Senior Occupational Therapist, you will deliver effective OT interventions
to children/young people and their families which are informed by current
research, legislation and policy.

The Role

You will be located within one of the quadrant teams (West), however there
will be a requirement to work within different quadrant locations according
to service demand. Your casework will focus on children’s and young people’s
cases that need equipment and adaptations to their homes. You will be an
effective communicator and committed to delivering a high-quality service.
The children and young people with disabilities service are an established
team of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants who have
a passion for maximising independence and well-being for children and young
people with additional needs. The team have previously welcomed newly
qualified Occupational therapists who have flourished within a supportive
environment, led by team members who have a ‘can do attitude’ and enviable
reputation.

Job Purpose Summary

Under the supervision of the OT Manager and professional supervision of a
Senior Occupational Therapist, you will deliver effective OT interventions
to children/young people and their families which are informed by current
research, legislation and policy.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• 
  Facilitate choice and empowerment through promoting independence as far
  as possible.
  


• 
  Ensure that children/young people are safeguarded and that Southend,
  Essex and Thurrock (SET) safeguarding procedures are followed.
  


• 
  Provide information and advice about other areas of support available to
  the child/young person and their families.
  


• 
  To brief supervisor/ team manager on all relevant developments on each
  case.
  


• 
  Actively and regularly participate in Essex County Councils supervision
  and yearly appraisal to ensure best practice and continued professional
  development.
  


• 
  Assist in the development of new service initiatives and implementation.
  


• 
  To participate in the on-going development and training of the team, and
  the service area. Attending team meetings and sharing ideas and best
  practice.
  


• 
  Required to be mobile throughout Essex and therefore a valid driving
  licence and use of car required, unless the role can be undertaken
  effectively by alternative transport arrangements.
  

Role Specific Accountabilities

• 
  Carry out specialist assessment/reviews of children/young people and
  families taking into account their needs and the impact of societal,
  attitudinal, cultural and environmental barriers which prevent
  participation in activities of daily living
  


• 
  To take account of the impact of long-term impairment on the development
  of the child/young person, and their carers and family, social,
  economic, personal well-being.
  


• 
  To recognise and identify safeguarding risks to children and actively
  support investigations where appropriate.
  


• 
  Assess the needs and risks for children and young people and identify
  actions appropriate to meet needs and address risk
  


• 
  Request and organise appropriate services in response to children/young
  people and their carers to meet their eligible needs whilst ensuring
  Best Value.
  


• 
  To liaise, consult and work effectively with other professionals in
  order to identify and meet the child/young person’s and their family’s
  needs e.g. Social Care staff, Essex Equipment Service, Health Care
  professionals, District Councils, Housing Teams.
  


• 
  Provide detailed and professional written reports and plans to meet
  needs and aspirations and present ideas and solutions to meet identified
  needs.
  


• 
  Make recommendations and provide sketches, diagrams and specifications
  for adaptations to the child/young person’s accommodation to remove
  environmental barriers where possible and liaise with other
  professionals and agencies to meet complex needs.
  


• 
  Ensure the safe use of equipment and adaptations, evaluate and review
  its effectiveness (following and evidencing a risk based approached) and
  teach children/young people and families to safely use equipment and
  comply with relevant legislation, policy and guidelines.
  


• 
  To hold a caseload of a level of complexity appropriate to post holders
  expertise and personal development.
  


• 
  Undertake administrative duties and maintain clear and professional
  records of assessment and progress for each case to ensure good practice
  and that targets are met contribute to the production of accurate
  statistical information relating to workload.
  

The Experience You Will Bring

• 
  Diploma of the College of Occupational Therapists or B Sc.O.T. or other
  professional qualification recognised by the World Federation of
  Occupational Therapists.
  


• 
  Registration HCPC as Occupational Therapist
  


• 
  Experience in working with children and young people with disabilities
  is desirable.
  


• 
  Knowledge of assessing for and prescribing equipment to promote
  independence is desirable.
  


• 
  Knowledge in identifying the need for minor and major adaptations to
  promote independence is desirable.
  

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area
including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting
service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an
emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility
requirements of the role through other means is essential.

To read more about us please visit:

Children & Families

Why Essex?

Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles
stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11
corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England’s
oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest – Basildon and Harlow – are
right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form
our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal
place for your career. Read more

about us.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re
committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our
Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job.
Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments
during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet
the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role
require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update
service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are
kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your
certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for
ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update
service please go to

https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the
welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and
volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities,
blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council,
please join

The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email
resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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