Community OT - REQ000960

Job title: Community Occupational Therapist

Salary: PO1 £37,035 - £39,513

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Merrion House, Leeds covering citywide appointments / viewings.

As a Community Occupational Therapist, you’ll thrive on assisting people into suitable homes which will greatly improve their quality of life.

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:

Confidence in your decision making
Excellent Communication Skills
Team Player
Approachable and good at building relationships with others.
Manage your time effectively and have an understanding of line management experience as you will be required to make decisions in your role and for the staff you will manage.

About the role

As our next Community Occupational Therapist, you’ll be part of the team to ensure that LCC Tenants with disabilities are re-housed into properties which will meet their needs, enabling them to live as independently as possible. The work is varied, interesting, challenging and you will get to work with a diverse client group.

The Housing Occupational Therapy Team is a small team specialising in housing and it is important you have skills and knowledge about legislation in relation to adaptations and understand the impact of rehousing for both Leeds City Council and its future tenants.

The role is integral to our Health and Housing Team and the Housing OT team work closely with all the different teams within the service. They also work closely with the Lettings Teams around the city to identify and property assess all suitable properties and work collaboratively with the Senior Surveyors to ascertain what adaptations can be achieved within each property.

What we offer you

We take 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. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Jenny Haslock, Principal Health Manager. Call 07891273547 or email jennifer.haslock@leeds.gov.uk.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders’ policy.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the stonewall Equality Index 2024. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - 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 and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job Purpose: Under the general direction of a Principal Health Manager and with support from Senior Occupational Therapist to provide a high quality and comprehensive Occupational Therapy service to disabled 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 their responsibilities within the City Council’s Policies and Procedures, in particular the Council Policies on Equality and Diversity, Health and Safety, and also within the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Code of Practice.

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’s 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’s 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 any other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the grade and purpose of the job as may be determined by the directorate.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate

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 duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

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.

Skills Required

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 OTA’s
Ability to provide day to day supervision to OTs and OTA’s
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

Knowledge Required

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.

Experience Required

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

Behavioural & other Characteristics required

Committed to continuous improvement.
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council Equality & Diversity Policies.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health & Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills, and continuous professional development
Understand and embrace our values, behaviours and codes of conduct.
Take responsibility for improving practice through professional development
Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) upon commencement in post and maintain yearly registration.

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 duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

Skills required

Ability to contribute to service planning

Knowledge required

Of the range of services available to users, families and carers
Of a range of equipment and adaptations and their application

Experience required

Of working with a wide range of user groups
Of supervision of other staff

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