Senior Children's Occupational Therapist

Job summary

We are looking for an experienced children's OT to join our community team. We are based in South Devon, close to the stunning coastline, Dartmoor, and beautiful South Hams region.

This role is within the physical and sensory pathway where we work closely with physiotherapy colleagues as well as with the wider multi-disciplinary team. We have 2 main therapy bases, in Torbay and Dartington, and this post is primarily based within the Dartington offices . We are currently developing our community services within an integrated model, and we are looking for a candidate to contribute to and be involved in this process.

There are good CPD opportunities, and a strong network of cross county support and specialist links.

You will be able to provide a high standard of assessment and intervention for the children and young people that we work with (0-18 year olds with a variety of conditions). You will be expected to have clinical supervisory skills and be able to hold a complex and varied caseload, working across the different environments such as home, schools and clinics.

We look forward to welcoming an occupational therapist with relevant skills and experience to join our friendly team. Please contact us if you would like any further information regarding this position.

Here is a link to a short video with information about working with CFHD Join Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) (

Main duties of the job

Hold responsibility for the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a case load within a designated geographical area, within own level of competence and capability Using a strengths-based approach; ensure clinical effectiveness through the use of evidence-based interventions, goal-based, collaborative practice and Routine Outcome Measures Deliver specialist occupational therapy advice, assessment and interventions to a client group of children and young people experiencing a range of difficulties in maximising their occupational performance within different settings Interventions may include direct therapy, coaching or training, provision or recommendations for suitable adaptive equipment where this is a statutory provision and provide specialist guidance and recommendations for home or school adaptations Supervise and support Occupational Therapy Clinical Support Workers and/or Integrated Therapy assistants Mentor/ clinically supervise newly qualified Occupational Therapists and Band 4/5 staff as required Participate in the provision of student placements To promote and support participation of service users across the service To work across other geographical areas as required to support colleagues according to need and demand Participate in clinical audits and clinical research as appropriate For some job holders, part of the role will include assessment and intervention of specialised equipment and environmental adaptations as part of our statutory work completed

About us

Children and Family Health Devon is a system-wide service that delivers an integrated, coordinated support model which wraps around the child, young person and family. It has been specifically designed to respond to all elements of the commissioner's strategy and specification along with the vision and strategic direction of the STP. It builds on our strong relationships across education, health, social care and voluntary sector services in Devon, and, most importantly, it has been developed and refined in partnership with children, young people and their families/carers.

Our Children and Young People say...

"We would like the people who work for Children and Family Health Devon to be understanding, patient and respectful. They should be trustworthy and make us feel safe and comfortable.

It is important that they use their skills and experience to listen carefully in a non-patronising and non-judgemental way. When staff are positive and friendly, they help to create an environment that is informal and without pressure".

Welcome booklets - 1 (

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see our job description for more details.

Communication and working relationship

To communicate complex condition-related information from assessment to clients, carers, families and members of the multidisciplinary team/other professions in a way that is accessible and easily understood. This will include facilitating strategies for people with communication disorders where barriers to understanding may exist

To demonstrate empathy with clients, carers, families and colleagues, ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to communication exist, or sensitive issues are being dealt with. Patient, carers and family will frequently have difficulty accepting the information provided

To demonstrate good negotiation skills across a range of issues

Analytical and judgement

To demonstrate specialist Occupational Therapy knowledge across a range of therapeutic interventions

To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice with peers and mentors and identify own strengths and development needs

Planning and organisation

To be responsible for the supervision and co-ordination of Occupational Therapy Technicians on a daily basis

To be responsible for the supervision of Band 5 staff on a regular basis

Responsibility for patient/client care, treatment and therapy

Undertakes all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner including professional and legal accountability and clinical risk management for all aspects of own work

Some aspects of work will involve delivery of the care as part of a multidisciplinary, multi-agency team. Otherwise to be the sole professional with responsibility for that patients episode of care and for onward referral as required

To use advanced questioning and communication, manual assessment techniques and clinical reasoning skills to provide a diagnosis and prognosis enabling the delivery of an individualised occupational therapy treatment programme. This includes but is not exclusive to the appropriate selection of referrals for inclusion in a range of treatment and management options, including neuro developmental, motor co-ordination, sensory differences, specialised equipment and environmental adaptations.

Supervision takes the form of annual appraisal with line-manager plus planned management supervision, clinical supervision on a planned regular basis. Clinical work is not routinely evaluated. Access to advice and support is available from peers, the paediatric team and clinical manager

To co-produce specialist clear care plans based on best practice with children, young people and their families/carers

To always consider safeguarding and child protection issues, following relevant policies and procedures and receiving safeguarding supervision as required

Responsibility for policy and service development implementation

Deputise for the Clinical Team Manager or Specialist Occupational Therapist in their absence, taking responsibility for operation management of the team, allocating and organising the work of less experienced occupational therapist and assistant staff to meet priorities on a daily basis

To provide children and young people with the opportunity to express their views in an age appropriate way, to have their opinions considered and to be able to influence the shaping of services

To interpret and assist in the implementation of local and national guidelines, policies and procedures affecting the development of childrens services

To follow their employers policies, procedures and guidance as well as professional standards and guidelines

Responsibility for finance, equipment and other resources

The post holder is responsible for maintaining a clear desk policy and protecting all confidential information in accordance with the organisations policies and procedures

The post holder will be required to act responsibly in terms of providing best value practice and protecting service resources

To take responsibility for any specific materials you are required to use, maintaining their general standard and ensuring that adequate supplies are maintained

Responsibility for human resources, supervision, training, HR advice and management

Contribute to the delivery of a range of training opportunities, as appropriate using a broad range of technology to develop and deliver

Supervise the work of Occupational Therapy Technicians and/or Integrated Therapy Assistants where necessary

To demonstrate the ability to target training (formal and informal) appropriately to the needs of course participants, reflecting and evaluating training provided.

Ensure prompt action is taken in raising issues with regard to staff performance, sickness, attendance levels and any disciplinary, capability or grievance matters

Responsibility for information resources and administrative duties

To be responsible for accurate and timely inputting of data into relevant data collection system to ensure workload is accurately reflected

To be responsible for the inputting of accurate and contemporaneous case notes on the relevant clinical systems in line with professional and organisational standards

To ensure all employers policies, procedures and guidelines are followed

To identify and manage risks through incident reporting when appropriate

Responsibility for research and development

Participates in clinical audit

Participate in clinical research as appropriate

Freedom to act

Works within codes of practice as defined by Royal College of Occupational Therapy and HCPC

Works within organisational policies and procedures

Please also contact us for any additional information or to discuss the post.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

oDegree in Occupational Therapy oHCPC registration oDiploma level specialist training or experience

Desirable

oPost-graduate certified courses specific to children's needs ( Sensory training; ADOS, 3di etc)

Knowledge

Essential

oTo work within trust clinical guidelines and Royal College of OT and HCPC standards. To have working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor own quality and safety of practice o Extensive knowledge of Occupational Therapy models of practice and specialist approaches oExtensive knowledge of legislation affecting clinical practice such as manual handling, housing and SEND oKnowledge of a wide range of Occupational Therapy assessment tools appropriate to meet a wide range of needs in the paediatric population oKnowledge and use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures oWell-developed knowledge and understanding of legislation around SEND oKnowledge of normal child development and a broad range of paediatric conditions oSubstantial clinical experience in a range of children's OT assessment and interventions oCommunity based Children's Occupational Therapy experience oEvidence of working as an autonomous practitioner oDeveloped skills in working with individuals and families with physical and sensory needs

Desirable

oResearch skills

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