Specialist Occupational Therapist

Job summary

We are seeking enthusiastic occupationaltherapists to join our friendly and supportive team.

We have vacancies in our local specialist andbase provisions, in addition to our mainstream settings. Collaborative workingis an important part of the role.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part ofa dynamic team providing innovative therapy interventions followingevidence-based practise and an embedded model of therapy in order to bestsupport the pupils needs.

We have the following position available:

Specialist OccupationalTherapist (Band 6) -£42, - £50,,401 (FTE) including High-Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) (Updated January 2024)

We can offer an all-year full-time contract or aterm time plus 2-4 weeks pro rata contract.

We welcome applications from thosewishing to work full or part time.

Cognus Therapies provides a robust supervisionframework with all posts receiving Managerial and ClinicalSupervision. Regular time is allocated for Professional Development.

Applicants must have a current registration withHCPC to apply for this vacancy. Own transport an advantage but notessential.

Main duties of the job

Working within a multidisciplinary team of Occupational Therapists and Speech Therapists the post holder will have the opportunity to work in local schools and colleges across the 4 years to 25 years age range or with a smaller age range within this. Advising and supporting a range of schools/settings with children and young people with Occupational Therapy Needs (OT Needs) including a possible cohort with ASD, or PMLD to manage their caseload to ensure that intended outcomes are delivered within agreed service standards. Raising awareness of the needs of and strategies available for children and young people with OT Needs.

About us

Cognus Therapies are a thrivingmultidisciplinary team of speech and language therapists, occupationaltherapists, teachers, practitioners and therapy assistants who support childrenand young people aged 4 25 years in mainstream schools, colleges, andspecialist settings within the London Borough of Sutton and surroundingboroughs.

Cognus is commissioned, and wholly owned, by London Borough of Sutton, to provide education services to mainstream schools and specialist education providers in Sutton. We deliver a wide range of 26 services from Admissions and Music, to SEND and Therapies to pursue excellence in education settings and improve the lives of children, young people, and families. We are committed to promoting equal access to education and maximise learning for every child, young person, parent/carer and professional.

Cognus offer an excellent package including:

RCOT and HCPC registrations paid Workplace pension scheme 28 days annual leave pro rata (plus Bank Holidays) Regular managersupport and supervision. Access tohighly skilled clinical leads and a wide range of clinical resources. Excellent CPDopportunities (including internal and external training) Hybrid and Flexibleworking Staff benefitspackage, currently including Employee Assistance Programme, Perkbox and (uponcompletion of probation) Sovereign Healthcare Cashback plans Staff Council, Staff EDI group and Mental Health FirstAiders to support wellbeing and inclusion Cognus Coaching Programmes Job description

Job responsibilities

To personally undertake a case load of referrals to include:

Visiting and assessing children and young people with OT Needs. To appropriately identify service provision in line with child and young persons needs at specialist, targeted or universal level of support. Delivery of specialist programmes on an individual and/or small group basis. Advice and treatment for children and young people with functional difficulties and sensory processing needs. Offering advice to parents and carers as well as teaching staff at a targeted or universal level. Maintaining children/young peoples records to a high standard.

Specific Duties:

To advise and support school staff on the education of children and young people with OT Needs including:

Screening and Assessment

Screening and prioritising new referrals in order to determine the need and level of occupational therapy provision required in line with service criteria. At the point of referral gathering relevant information regarding previous and current input from health and social care services. Carrying out a range of non-standardised and standardised assessments and interpreting a range of factors relating to the child or young persons condition; focusing on access to education. Providing reports to referrers and other agencies involved in the child/young persons care. Contributing to professional advice regarding the statutory assessment and annual review process both in Sutton and in out-of-borough settings if necessary.

Treatment and Provision

Plan, create and deliver a wide range of tailored interventions and/ or therapy programmes where direct OT input is indicated and effectively hand over prescribed programmes through training and modelling with teaching staff, parents and carers To recommend, provide or advise on provision of equipment and take responsibility for demonstrating its usage and training clients/carers. To undertake risk assessment in complex moving and handling situations where appropriate provision of equipment identified for the school environment. To monitor and record child or young persons progress and effectiveness of intervention through goal setting, outcome measurement and evaluation of practice and to communicate these as required to key stakeholders. To liaise and establish communication networks with the multidisciplinary team, external voluntary and statutory organisations as appropriate in planning for child or young persons treatment Promotion of effective inclusion of children and young people into all aspects of the school curriculum. Maintain effective liaison with all partners parents, professionals in Education, Health, Social Care and other Services with particular regard to Safeguarding and best practice. Promote robust transition arrangements for pupils with Occupational Therapy needs including: Collaboration with a range of partner agencies to create effective transition support for specific children and young people

Education and Development Responsibility

To be aware of changing trends in treatment and promote Evidence Based Practice; embedding this into own specialist area of work in order to provide the highest standard of care to service users. To participate in clinical audit, service development activities and research programmes as required. To contribute to formulating policies for specialist area and proposals for general service changes. As part of the therapies team to plan, deliver and evaluate training sessions for schools and educational providers. To engage with continual professional development as identified through managerial and clinical supervision and appraisal, including attending training and courses as agreed To comply with the Cognus Limited mandatory training requirements.

To contribute to collaborative working between all specialist SEN teams by:

Attending and contributing to Team meetings. Identifying needs and seeking advice within the framework of specialist teams and wider agencies as appropriate. Liaison with parents/ carers and schools to find collaborative strategies to overcome barriers to learning and attend multi-agency meetings as required. Embedding legislative change and key developments relating to improved outcomes for children and young people with Occupational Therapy Needs. Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to degree level or equivalent Relevant qualifications including registration with HCPC

Experience

Essential

Experience as a paediatric Occupational Therapist

Knowledge and skills

Essential

Ability to prioritise and deliver results to a high standard Excellent organisation skills Excellent communication skills Leads others by setting a positive example in line with company values and acts as a role model. Adherence to RCOT and HCPC policies and procedures Is decisive with problem-solving skills Is committed to safeguarding and protection of children Honours and upholds the Companys Equal Opportunity Policy, Dignity at Work Policy, Safeguarding and Protection of Children, Health and Safety and Data Protection Policy at all times.

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