Occupational Therapist - Grade 8*

Responsible to: Team Manager, Children with Disabilities Team , Homes Care and Provisions, Children’s Services.

Key relationships/Functional links with: Families and children open to the Occupational Therapy Service, staff at all levels in Children’s Services, including Team Manager. Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, professionals within the West Berkshire Partnership and equipment providers.

Main Purpose of Job: To provide a service of assessment, provision and review of specialist equipment and adaptations for children with disabilities living in the Wokingham area.

Main Responsibilities

Assess children and young people to determine their needs and develop action plans to promote their independence or reduce risk. Arrange for the provision of equipment and/or minor adaptations to meet identified needs and demonstrate its correct use to parents/carers. Identify when a major adaptation work is required to the family home, advise families on the adaptation process and liaise with relevant professionals (e.g., Grants Officer, surveyor, architect, builder) to ensure that proposed adaptations meet the assessed needs. Complete the housing needs report and send it to the relevant team for review and prioritisation of their house move on medical grounds. Maintain accurate records, including case notes, assessments, risk assessments, care plans, and reviews on the electronic database. Participate in joint working, attend meetings, liaise with a range of other professionals regarding the needs of children/young people on the allocated caseload, and refer to other professionals as appropriate.

Knowledge and Skills:

Degree or diploma in Occupational Therapy. Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Full driving licence and access to a car for use at work. Good working knowledge of the legislation underpinning the provision of Occupational Therapy services to children & young people within a social care setting. Good problem-solving skills to meet identified needs in the most cost-effective way.

Experience required:

Experience of working as paediatric occupational therapist within a Local Authority Experience in identifying the need for specialist and complex equipment. Experience in managing minor and major adaptations from recommendation to completion, with the ability to read architect’s plans and think creatively to suggest amendments. Experience in effective joint working with a range of other professionals and agencies.

Features of the Role:

This is a full-time role is based within the Children with Disabilities Team in Wokingham Borough Council. The role is initially for a 9-month period. The Team is based in Ambleside Children’s Centre, Woodley. Hybrid working – with minimum of 2 days a week based in the office. Involves lone working, including visits to children, young people, and their families in their homes. Involves site visits to properties undergoing structural adaptations. Involves some carrying and setting up of specialist equipment.

This post is subject to a DBS disclosure.