Internal Only - Senior Occupational Therapy Lead – 0-25 Team

at  South Gloucestershire Council

HOW YOU’LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The 0-25 Disability Service exists to improve outcomes and make a positive difference to the lives of children and young people with SEND. It also supports their families as well as young adults who have eligible education and training, health and social care needs.
This is for a one year limited term contract.

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

• It is essential for you to be degree qualified in Occupational Therapy and registered with the HCPC with considerable experience of working as an Occupational Therapist, preferably within a local authority children and families setting.
• We require you to have considerable relevant post qualifying experience of dealing with complex cases and of risk assessment and have good evidence of ongoing professional development activities in accordance with HCPC standards.
• You must demonstrate significant knowledge and experience of specialised children’s equipment and knowledge of disabled facilities grant process.
• You will have a good understanding and experience of moving and handling practice.
• We require you to have excellent interpersonal skills, to be able to work with complex families and resolve and respond to complaints effectively.
• We require you to have supervisory skills and experience of providing supervision of casework, whilst able to motivate team members in their role.
• You will possess experience of leading on projects or of leading service change.
  Please note that due to the nature of this role it is a requirement of employment that an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is obtained for this post.

• On a daily basis, you will provide support and supervision to Occupational Therapy staff, and other associated staff within the 0-25 Disability Service in relation to OT assessments, recommendations and safeguarding.
• It will be your responsibility to support team members to identify cost effective solutions for independence problems. Particularly in the areas of specialised equipment and adaptations for housing and school environments using local authority funding and the disabled facilities grant process where eligible.
• To ensure performance and quality standards are achieved, you will provide specialist advice and review OT staff performance. You will make sure working practices meet statutory and local requirements and optimise outcomes for service users.
• In this role, you will hold a small caseload of complex cases, working with disabled children and young adults to promote functional independence.
• By assisting the Team Manager, you will have the responsibility of day-to-day management of the team and with prioritisation of referrals and allocation of work.
• You will be required to deputise for the Team Manager as needed and may be required to chair the OT Team, and multi-disciplinary meetings.
• In this role, you will maintain and promote effective partnerships with relevant agencies to achieve the best outcomes for disabled children and young adults. This may involve assisting in developing and implementing multi-agency policies and procedures.
• You will review and sign off equipment requests up to £1,000 and advise the Service Manager on spends over £1,000.