ABOUT THE ROLE
As a Senior Occupational Therapist within the Health & Housing service, you will lead an area-based team, ensuring that Leeds City Council tenants with disabilities are re-housed into properties that meet their needs—enabling them to live as independently as possible.
You will oversee the allocation of work, support staff development, and ensure that assessments and interventions are delivered in line with legislation and best practice. You’ll work closely with Lettings Teams, Senior Surveyors, and the Principal Health Manager to assess properties and determine suitable adaptations, contributing to the council’s wider housing and health objectives.
THIS ROLE IS BASED IN THE UK. HOME OFFICE GUIDANCE STATES THAT CANDIDATES MUST EVIDENCE THEIR RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK PRIOR TO COMMENCING EMPLOYMENT, EITHER AS A UK OR IRISH CITIZEN, UNDER THE EU SETTLEMENT SCHEME OR HAVING SECURED ANY OTHER RELEVANT WORK VISA.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you’ll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- To undertake a range of complex Occupational Therapy assessments. Assessments should have an occupational focus and aim to reduce barriers to inclusion.
- To undertake reablement assessments which have an occupational emphasis. To be responsible for the care planning for the whole process.
- To manage and monitor a workload of complex and diverse cases within the parameters of agreed policies and practices together with professional guidance and support from team managers to safeguard and promote the welfare of individuals, families and carers.
- To develop, implement and review outcome focussed Occupational Therapy intervention to meet assessed needs and promote independent well-being and inclusion within delegated levels of responsibility.
- To identify specialist housing needs of disabled people and their families and support them in accessing suitable housing/adaptations
- To organise work activities taking account of the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities ensuring statutory legislation and service priorities are met.
- To provide written and verbal reports which are concise, informative and based on analysis of complex evidence, for example, recommendations for major adaptations and specialist/bespoke equipment.
- To complete moving and handling and hoist training, and then carry out complex moving and handling assessments, and provide subsequent advice and training to disabled people, carers and staff as appropriate.
- To carry out complex moving and handling assessments, make appropriate recommendations for specific equipment, to reduce the risk for carers.
- To deliver, fit and collect equipment as appropriate, including necessary moving and handling of equipment.
- Following assessment provide/recommend complex and bespoke services to disabled adults, older people, children and young people which remove barriers to social inclusion, to improve quality of life for disabled people and their carers.
- To obtain the views of the disabled person during the assessment process and take into account their views when making recommendations for service provision.
- To take a lead for the enhanced screening of new referrals and people already in receipt of services.
- To provide comprehensive knowledge of specialist equipment and complex adaptations to users, carers and less experienced members of the team.
- To provide expert advice, support and guidance on casework to less experienced team members, both registered and unregistered.
- To provide support and professional supervision to new graduate OT’s, OT’s and unregistered staff and to ensure the person achieves the appropriate skills and competencies.
- To attend regular personal and professional Supervision with identified Supervisor.
- To provide practice education for OT students, including student placements and other student related activities.
- To maintain up to date accurate case notes and other records, write reports as required.
- To assist with recruitment and selection of new graduate OT’s, Community OTs and unregistered staff.
- To contribute to the promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.
- To use management information systems, keep them up to date and be able to provide concise and accurate information about circumstances and plans within the requirements of data protection.
- To be responsible for analysing information to support the ongoing needs of service users, their families and carers.
- To work with other services within the council to deliver efficient and effective solutions to barriers faced by disabled people.
- To work to the prescribed standards for service provision and maintain performance and develop practice and experience in line with personal targets as agreed with line manager through supervision and appraisal
- To disseminate knowledge and contribute to the delivery of a high standard of service.
- To develop and maintain effective relationships with disabled people, their families and carers: provide advice and support, promote independence and early intervention, as necessary; help resolve conflict, where appropriate.
- To work with individuals, families, carers and communities to help them make informed choices and decisions, enabling them to clarify and express their needs and contribute to service planning.
- To develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals within the directorate and partner agencies to ensure integrated, holistic and multidisciplinary approach to the care management and safeguarding of disabled adults, older people, children and young people.
- To contribute to safeguarding investigations, of disabled adults, older people, children and young people., in accordance with legislative requirements and Multi-agency Safeguarding procedures. Undertake risk assessments, identify needs and options.
- To identify and implement strategies for responding appropriately to concerns about practice or procedures seeking guidance if required.
- To appropriately participate in meetings and relevant forums.
- To work to and within the prescribed standards of the College of Occupational Therapists and be responsible for promoting awareness of these.
- To promote Occupational Therapy to colleagues both within and outside the Council.
- Be responsible for the development of practice by maintaining a knowledge of related theories and legislation and using evidence on which to base professional practice.
- To participate in training and development activities that ensures up to date knowledge, skills, and continuous professional development.
- To be responsible for understanding and applying all relevant practice standards, policies and procedures. Maintain an awareness of related theories and legislation
- Maintain up to date personal CPD folder in order to retain registration with the HCPC.
- Under the direction of the team manager undertake specific pieces of work in relation to customer feedback, representations, complaints, multi-agency projects or service developments and make recommendations or action plans to implement these to improve service delivery.
- To deputise for the Disability Team Manager as and when required.
- To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council and Directorate policies and procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under Health and Safety policy and procedures.
- Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the values, standards, and equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
- The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES WITHIN ENVIRONMENT AND HOUSING
- To understand and contribute to the annual service plans of the Health & Housing service that creates opportunities for all disabled people and their families to live independently in quality, affordable, safe and stable housing of their choice across all tenures.
- To have a knowledge of the various cross tenure funding streams and the scope of the adaptations and re-housing services within Council.