Community Occupational Therapist - REQ002593

Job title: Community Occupational Therapist

Salary: PO1 *GBP*37,035 - *GBP*39,513

Hours: 37

Contract:Permanent

Location: Tribeca House LS7, with work citywide

As a Community Occupational Therapist, you thrive on improving inclusion for people with disabilities, using your skills and experience to ensure they receive the care and support they need.

We have four vacancies for experienced occupational therapists to join our Integrated Reviewing Team. The team works closely alongside social work colleagues on assessments and reviews, so we can gain a full picture of an individual eligible care needs and provide considered interventions for maximum impact.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Community Occupational Therapist you will bring to the role:

degree or diploma in Occupational Therapy, with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration on commencement in post
post-qualification clinical experience in a physical health setting, including assessing of moving and handling needs and devising interventions and care plans
ability to plan, prioritise and manage your caseload autonomously
effective communication and engagement with individuals, their families and carers, and with colleagues and partners in a multi-agency environment
driving licence (citywide travel required)

About the role

You be joining our Integrated Reviewing Team at an exciting time of expansion for the team, reflecting the positive impact of our work on those we care for.

What sets our team apart is our multi-disciplinary approach; by coordinating closely with social work colleagues we can conduct a truly joined-up review of an individual care and support needs. This streamlines our processes to provide a better experience for people we support and deliver efficiencies within the service. We work primarily with people newly discharged from hospital with a package of care and people identified by a social worker as requiring a full functional assessment.

We a closeknit inclusive team with a culture of peer support for everyone, from students to senior occupational therapists and managers. Our supportive Team Manager, an experienced occupational therapist, is always on hand for advice or just to talk, and you have regular supervision with a senior colleague.

There is a wealth of opportunity for you in Leeds. You further develop competencies in complex moving and handling, standardised adaptations, assessments involving care providers and referrals to other services. You also gain in-depth knowledge of the Care Act and the role of the local authority and will have opportunities internally and with partner agencies for involvement in service improvement initiatives.

We encourage our staff to grow their career with us, with clear progression pathways evidenced by our management team and senior occupational therapists. Continuing professional development (CPD) is central to our practice, with protected CPD time every month for all team members.

Everyone has a say in their own learning journey. Occupational therapy team members take the initiative in their own development, recognising where there are training needs and convening a quarterly series of peer-led training events for colleagues from across the council.

What we offer you

Benefits of working in the Integrated Reviewing Team:

working days Monday to Friday (no evening, weekend or bank holiday shifts)
dress code smart casual - we don wear uniform
manage your own caseload and diary
flexibility of location, work from council buildings across the city

Leeds City Council takes pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Lauren Kemp, Occupational Therapy Team Manager, Enhanced Reviewing Team:

Tel: 07545 604163/ 0113 5351889
Email: kemp@leeds.gov.uk

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Adultsbarred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

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 *GBP*38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose:

Under the general direction of a Team Manager, and with support from Senior Occupational Therapists, provide a high quality and comprehensive Occupational Therapy service to adults, children and young people, carers and the community in accordance with the organisational needs, policy and practices of the Directorate and within statutory guidelines

The post holder must at all times carry out responsibilities within the City Council Policies and Procedures, in particular the Council Policies on Equality and Diversity, Health and Safety, and also within the Health and Care Professions Council Code of Practice.

Core 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 an allocated caseload of disabled people and, with supervision, regularly monitor, review and evaluate changes in a disabled persons needs and ensure that all services contribute effectively to the support plan and remain an effective use of resources.
To organise work activities taking account of the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities ensuring statutory legislation and service priorities are met.

To manage an allocated caseload of service users, regularly monitor, review and evaluate changes in service user needs and ensure that all services contribute effectively to the support plan and remain an effective use of resources.

To complete moving and handling and hoist training, and then carry out moving and handling assessments, and provide subsequent advice and training to disabled people, carers and staff as appropriate.

To carry out moving and handling risk assessments, make appropriate recommendations for specific equipment, to reduce the risks for carers.

Following assessment provide/recommend specialist services to disabled people which remove barriers to social inclusion.
To work within legislative framework to make recommendations for complex adaptations that are necessary and appropriate to reduce environmental barriers, to improve quality of life for adults and older people and their carers
To carry out the enhanced screening of new referrals, and people already in receipt of services.

To develop, implement and review outcome focussed Occupational Therapy intervention to meet assessed needs and promote independent well-being and inclusion.

To identify specialist housing needs of disabled people and their families and support them in accessing suitable housing/adaptations

To deliver, fit and collect equipment as appropriate, including necessary moving and handling of equipment.

To provide general advice, support and guidance on casework to less experienced and unregistered members of the team.

To provide practice education for OT students, including annual placements, or other student related activities.

To provide support and professional supervision to OT and unregistered staff and to ensure the person achieves the appropriate skills and competencies.

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 attend regular personal and professional Supervision with identified Supervisor

To provide in depth knowledge of specialist equipment and major adaptations to users, carers and less experienced members of the team.

Co-working more challenging casework alongside Senior OTs/Manager

To maintain accurate and up to date case notes and other records, write reports as required.

To appropriately participate in meetings and relevant forums.

To assist in the planning and developing of future service and policies

To assist with recruitment and selection of unregistered staff.

To be responsible for analysing information to support the ongoing needs of service users, their families and carers.

To comply with LCC safeguarding framework to contribute to investigations, and manage risks where individuals have experienced or likely to experience significant harm.

To contribute to safeguarding investigations in accordance with legislative requirements and Multi-agency Safeguarding procedures. Undertake risk assessments, identify needs and options.

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 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 work to and within the prescribed standards of the College of Occupational Therapists.

To promote Occupational Therapy to colleagues both within and outside the Council.

To participate in training and development activities that ensures up to date knowledge, skills, and continuous professional development.

To maintain up to date personal CPD folder in order to retain registration with the HCPC.

To contribute to the development of practice by finding and using evidence on which to base professional practice.

To be responsible for understanding and applying all relevant practice standards, policies and procedures. Maintain knowledge of related theories and legislation

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 identify and implement strategies for responding appropriately to concerns about practice or procedures seeking guidance if required.

To contribute to the promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.

To actively promote and support Leeds City Council and Directorate policies on Equality and Diversity.

To promote Occupational Therapy to colleagues both within and outside the council.

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 children, adults and older people.

To work with other services within the council to deliver efficient and effective solutions to barriers faced by disabled people.

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.

To undertake and other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the grade and purpose of the job as may be determined by the directorate.

Specific Responsibilities with the Blue Badge Eligibility Assessment Team

To carry out standard in- clinic assessments of service users applying for a Blue Badge using the guidelines determined by the Department for Transport.
To carry out telescreen assessment as directed by senior staff.

Specific Responsibilities within Children and Young Peoples Services

To consider the development of the Child or Young Person and the needs of the Family/Carer when making recommendations for service provision.
To obtain the views of the Child or Young Person as well as the family/carer during the assessment process and to take account of these views when making recommendations for service provision.

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.

Specific Responsibilities with the Occupational Therapy Recovery Team

To work on a rota pattern between 8am and 8pm 7 days a week to include some weekend working.

To provide Occupational Therapy advice and support to the SkILS Reablement team outside of Office Hours (5pm-8pm Monday to Friday and 8am-8pm at weekends)

To take a lead in the discharge planning for customers in the Recovery Hubs.

Specific Responsibilities with the Community Wellbeing Teams

To use a Person-Environment-Occupation Performance model to consider the person and their environment and what tasks they need to do, and how the structure of those tasks needs to be adapted.
To provide Occupational Therapy assessments with people when they first join the Community Wellbeing Teams, and review them as necessary, during their involvement.
To embed reablement principles within the Community Wellbeing Teams and establish a strengths-based approach, with a focus on promoting independence.
To design reablement focussed support plans to work towards a customers independence and to promote and support reablement as a core function of the service.

Specific Responsibilities for Integrated Reviewing Team

To be part of a citywide intergrated reviewing team and undertake reviews for customers who meet the agreed criteria.

To undertake moving and handling risk assessments with customers and carers both paid and unpaid, and make recommendations to reduce the packages of care either by change in process or equipment.

Update support plans on CIS and liaise with CCC as appropriate

To provide detailed moving and handling plans to care providers and provide advice, support and guidance.

To work with care agencies to ensure staff are competent to undertake single handed care/optimised handling.

The Occupational Therapists will work closely with social workers in the Intergrated Reviewing Team
To work to agreed KPIs for numbers of assessments to be completed on a weekly basis
To provide detailed performance information on a weekly basis to evidence savings made, and any expenditure spent on equipment.

Specific Responsibilities for Early Intervention Team

To provide enhanced screening to new contacts to the council, who meet the criteria for the Early Intervention Team
Promote Independence and Wellbeing, by intervening early to support individuals, helping people to retain their skills and confidence and preventing the need or delaying deterioration wherever possible.
To embed reablement principles within the Early Intervention Teams and establish a strengths-based approach, with a focus on promoting independence.
To make appropriate referrals to the area Disability Services Teams
To provide detailed performance information to evidence savings made.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role. Candidates will only be short listed for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements. Progression through the grades will be linked to the appraisal process and subject to you performing your key tasks to a satisfactory level, and where appropriate successful completion of examinations. Method Of Assessment (MOA) A = Application Form T = Test I = Interview C = Certificate
Skills required	MOA
Ability to effectively plan, prioritise and time manage own workload. Able to communicate and pass information effectively, accurately and concisely with a range of partners and services users, carers and colleagues Able to engage individuals, families, carers and workers from other agencies Able to identify appropriate Occupational Therapy interventions in order to promote positive change Ability to carry out Occupational Therapy assessments of disabled people and develop and implement recommended interventions Ability to assess the needs of and work with individuals and groups using a person centred approach Ability to devise, implement, review and evaluate service and support plans Ability to maintain accurate service user records, assessments and follow policy and procedure Able to record, evidence and communicate using technology Able to exercise individual judgement, assess risk and consult where and when appropriate. Ability to carry out safe functional assessment and give physical assistance where necessary. Ability to move and handle equipment for assessment and provision Ability to contribute to the education of students, OTs and OTAlt;/li> Ability to provide day to day supervision to OTs and OTAlt;/li> Ability to make proactive use of Supervision to reflect critically on practice and explore different approaches to work and understand the boundaries of professional accountability. Report Writing and Communications Skills Car driver	A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I
Knowledge required	MOA
Appropriate Occupational Therapy qualification Degree/Diploma Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Knowledge and understanding of a range of physical and mental health conditions Knowledge of the range of specialist equipment and major adaptations to meet assessed need Knowledge off relevant legislation appropriate to the needs of service users from a wide range of backgrounds Awareness of the broad range of factors that impact on service users and families e.g. drugs, alcohol domestic violence Understanding of the roles and responsibilities of statutory and voluntary agencies. Be competent in the use of IT systems, including Microsoft Officer, Internet and Email Of current, trends, policies, legislation and regulatory bodies in relation to vulnerable people within a social care setting Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of confidentiality and the needs and wishes of individuals, families and carers as appropriate. Demonstrate an awareness of needs and safeguarding issues associated with vulnerable people. Demonstrate an understanding of diversity issues within local communities.	A/C A/C A/C A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I
Experience required	MOA
Experience of practicing as an Occupational Therapist. Experience of being a fieldwork educator Demonstrated creativity in tackling and solving problems Of advocacy and user involvement. Of using initiative Of developing services to meet customer needs Use of reflective practice techniques to critically analyse information to inform decision making and planning Producing written records and reports to a high standard for a variety of purposes with language suited to function Application of information gathering skills to make and contribute to assessments Of using supervision effectively Of assessment and service provision to disabled people in a range of settings Of working within and implementing a person centred focused approach	A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I
Behavioural & Other Related Characteristics required	MOA
Committed to continuous improvement. Identify and take account of the significance of diversity on the lives of people and show application of this understanding in practice To carry out all duties having regard to an employee responsibility under the Council Health & Safety Policies. Take responsibility for improving practice through professional development Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) upon commencement in post and maintain yearly registration	A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role. Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates. Progression through the grades will be linked to the appraisal process and subject to you performing your key tasks to a satisfactory level, and where appropriate successful completion of examinations. Method Of Assessment (MOA) A = Application Form T = Test I = Interview C = Certificate
Skills required	MOA
Ability to contribute to service planning	A/I
Knowledge required	MOA
Of the range of services available to users, families and carers Of a range of equipment and adaptations and their application	A/I A/I
Experience required	MOA
Of working with a wide range of user groups Of supervision of other staff	A/I A/I

Qualifications: Qualification in Occupational Therapy Degree/diploma. Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) upon commencement in post and maintain yearly registration.

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