Occupational Therapist - Special School

Our Client has a fantastic permanent Occupational Therapist band 6 opportunity in London North London to work in their special school to manage own caseload of children with severe or complex needs. Our client is a Multi Academy Trust that promotes and supports inclusive practice. They deliver safe and outstanding provision at all levels.

Occupational Therapist - Band 6 (Equivalent)
Salary: £43,742 - £45,996
Location: North London
Hours: Full Time52 weeks/year, 36 hours/week -Flexible working opportunities available
Client Group: Special School- children with severe or complex needs
No Sponsorship Available

The successful candidate will work alongside the school Therapy Leads and existing therapists to design and implement a centralised 'streams' model, working on one or two streams within their interest, e.g., PMLD / neuro-diverse support to deliver evidence-based interventions. Pupils at the schools have a wide range of health conditions (e.g., PMLD, SLD, MLD, ASD) and the therapy team is an integral part of pupils accessing the curriculum. There is close working with families and school staff, NHS and social care teams, and the onsite multidisciplinary team including nurses, dietician and paediatricians as well as joint clinics e.g., orthotics/ wheelchair.

Job Role:
* To provide specialist Occupational Therapy with professionally-informed clinical decision making and case-management in consultation with the Head of Therapy.
* To develop Occupational Therapy programmes to be implemented by Therapy assistants, students, volunteers, and others working with postholder, including teaching assistants, etc.; and to supervise the work of, and Occupational Therapy input provided by, these groups.
* To work together with education staff, parents/caregivers, members of other agencies providing specialist advice and in integrating therapy targets into all learning goals for children with an Education, Health, and Care Plan.
* To deliver specialist clinical decision-making for children and adolescents with motor, sensory, perceptual, and functional needs. This includes initial screening, detailed assessment, differential diagnosis, intervention, evaluation, transition from intervention and conclusion of OT involvement.
* To demonstrate a high level of clinical effectiveness. This includes using evidence-based practice, when possible, and reliable outcome measures.
* To independently manage a complex caseload whilst recognising own professional boundaries and access supervision, advice, and support when necessary.
* Manage own caseload of children in accordance with the school's service model, including:
o Carrying out clinical observations, informal and formal assessments of children and analysing the results reflecting on own knowledge and experience and seeking more specialist advice as required.
o Monitoring intervention outcomes and adapting the plan accordingly.
* To review clinical governance and effective outcomes and maintain quality as set out in the policies of the Health and Care Professions Council, the Service Standards recommended by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and School's regulations and policies (e.g. safeguarding).
* To work collaboratively as a member of the School Therapy team and with external agencies by discussing Occupational Therapy, and others' input around client needs.
* To be responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained - including equipment loaned to clients.
* Maintains own specialist knowledge and skills through participation in CPD and clinical supervision with an appropriate mentor.
* To attend Therapy Team meetings, professional clinical groups, such as Journal Clubs, RCOT Clinical Interest Groups, Local Specialist Interest Groups, Peer Review Groups, and other professional development activities in order to share and expand specialist knowledge
* To work together with school staff in setting, agreeing, implementing, and monitoring a range of interventions following the School Therapy procedures, including teaching staff, other allied health therapists and wellbeing staff.
* To communicate and support other therapists communicate verbally and in writing with parent/carer/client/other professions implications of assessment findings, diagnosis, and therapy intervention plan. This may include breaking bad news in a sensitive manner.

The successful applicant will have the following skills:
- Degree/Masters in Occupational Therapy (or equivalent)
- Current HCPC registration
- Experience of working with children and young people with health conditions
- Effective interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively within a team setting.
- Strong knowledge and skills to assess/manage the sensory and physical needs of the school

For more information, please contact [email protected]