Senior Occupational Therapist - REQ004878

Job title: Senior Occupational Therapist

Salary: PO3 £42,839 - £46,142

Hours: 37 hours, full time

Contract: Permanent

Location: Based at Tribeca House, LS7, with a citywide remit.

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

We are looking for a highly experienced Senior Occupational Therapist 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’s eligible care needs and provide considered interventions for maximum impact.

In this senior role your caseload will involve higher levels of complexity, and you will offer casework advice and guidance to other team members.

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 Senior 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
significant clinical experience in a physical health setting, including assessing of people with complex needs, devising interventions and care plans and managing risk
ability to plan, prioritise and manage a challenging caseload autonomously
high level communication and engagement with colleagues and partners, service users, their families and carers, with ability to negotiate and manage conflict
driving licence (citywide travel required)

About the role

You’ll 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’s 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’re 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 will provide your professional supervision. As a Senior Occupational Therapist, you will have a key role yourself in mentoring less experienced team members.

There is a wealth of opportunity for you in Leeds. You’ll further develop competencies in complex moving and handling, standardised adaptations, assessments involving care providers and referrals to other services. You’ll 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. 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’t wear uniform
manage your own caseload and diary
flexibility of location, work from council buildings across the city

For an informal discussion please contact: Lauren Kemp, Occupational Therapy Team Manager, Integrated Reviewing Team: Tel: 07545604163 Email: lauren.kemp@leeds.gov.uk

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred 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 visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose:

Under the general direction of a Team Manager to provide a high quality and comprehensive Occupational Therapy service to disabled adults, children and young people, carers and 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 his/her 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.

This is an experienced Occupational Therapy role with specific responsibilities for managing a caseload of higher levels of challenge and complexity, which will include assessment and management of risk and to provide casework advice, support and guidance to other team members

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 and monitor a workload of complex and diverse cases within the parameters of agreed policies and practices together with professional guidance and support from team managers to safeguard and promote the welfare of individuals, families and carers.
To develop, implement and review outcome focussed Occupational Therapy intervention to meet assessed needs and promote independent well-being and inclusion within delegated levels of responsibility.
To identify specialist housing needs of disabled people and their families and support them in accessing suitable housing/adaptations
To organise work activities taking account of the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities ensuring statutory legislation and service priorities are met.
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 complete moving and handling and hoist training, and then carry out complex moving and handling assessments, and provide subsequent advice and training to disabled people, carers and staff as appropriate.
To carry out complex moving and handling assessments, make appropriate recommendations for specific equipment, to reduce the risk for carers.
To deliver, fit and collect equipment as appropriate, including necessary moving and handling of equipment.
Following assessment provide/recommend complex and bespoke services to disabled adults, older people, children and young people which remove barriers to social inclusion, to improve quality of life for disabled people and their carers.
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 take a lead for the enhanced screening of new referrals and people already in receipt of services.
To provide comprehensive knowledge of specialist equipment and complex adaptations to users, carers and less experienced members of the team.
To provide expert advice, support and guidance on casework to less experienced team members, both registered and unregistered.
To provide support and professional supervision to new graduate OT’s, OT’s and unregistered staff and to ensure the person achieves the appropriate skills and competencies.
To attend regular personal and professional Supervision with identified Supervisor.
To provide practice education for OT students, including student placements and other student related activities.
To maintain up to date accurate case notes and other records, write reports as required.
To assist with recruitment and selection of new graduate OT’s, Community OTs and unregistered staff.
To contribute to the promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.
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 be responsible for analysing information to support the ongoing needs of service users, their families and carers.
To work with other services within the council to deliver efficient and effective solutions to barriers faced by disabled people.
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 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 disabled adults, older people, children and young people.
To contribute to safeguarding investigations, of disabled adults, older people, children and young people., in accordance with legislative requirements and Multi-agency Safeguarding procedures. Undertake risk assessments, identify needs and options.
To identify and implement strategies for responding appropriately to concerns about practice or procedures seeking guidance if required.
To appropriately participate in meetings and relevant forums.
To work to and within the prescribed standards of the College of Occupational Therapists and be responsible for promoting awareness of these.
To promote Occupational Therapy to colleagues both within and outside the Council.
Be responsible for the development of practice by maintaining a knowledge of related theories and legislation and using evidence on which to base professional practice.
To participate in training and development activities that ensures up to date knowledge, skills, and continuous professional development.
To be responsible for understanding and applying all relevant practice standards, policies and procedures. Maintain an awareness of related theories and legislation
Maintain up to date personal CPD folder in order to retain registration with the HCPC.
Under the direction of the team manager undertake specific pieces of work in relation to customer feedback, representations, complaints, multi-agency projects or service developments and make recommendations or action plans to implement these to improve service delivery.
To deputise for the Disability Team Manager as and when required.
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 actively promote and support Leeds City Council’s and Directorate policies on Equality and Diversity.
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 within the Blue Badge Eligibility Assessment Team

To carry out complex and children’s in clinic assessments of service users applying for a Blue Badge using the guidelines determined by the Department for Transport.
To carry out telescreen assessments
To manage, analyse and screen all new referrals, allocating to staff as appropriate.

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 integrated reviewing team to customers who have 2 paid carers and large packages of care.
To undertake complex 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.
To provide detailed moving and handling plans to care providers and provide expert advice, support and guidance.
To work with care agencies to ensure staff are competent to undertake single handed care.

Priorities will be:

people who have been discharged from hospital, with a new package of care, where there are two carer staff members
people who, have a large package of care, would benefit from a full functional assessment, with an aim to reduce the package of care where:

They have not seen an occupational therapist before

Where the person has no equipment to support them

The Occupational Therapists will work closely with social workers in the Integrated 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.

Qualifications: Appropriate professional qualification Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy, Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) upon commencement of the post and maintain yearly registration.

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