Childrens Occupational Therapist (SEN Post)

NHS; Enfield; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job description

Childrens Occupational Therapist (SEN Post)

Band 7 Children's Occupational Therapy Job Advert

Job Overview

We are a friendly, supportive, OT team who report high levels of job satisfaction. We offer a professionally led service with direct support from an OT Clinical Lead Specialist, good working relationships with the MDT, monthly in-service team training, effective supervision and External Training opportunities through the Trust.

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated Occupational Therapist who wishes to develop specialist skills in Paediatrics within a dynamic team. We are looking for a creative, friendly and enthusiastic OT to join our established Children's Team. We are located near Enfield Town, with easy commuter links from central London/Hertfordshire.

You will work within the service visiting children and young people in mainstream and special school settings providing their OT as specified in their EHCP's and assessing new children referred to SEN OT. You will also hold a small community caseload as well as having the opportunity to facilitate training and groups sessions to schools and families. The service is committed to evidence-based input and offer CO-OP, M-CIMT, Parent Coaching & Community leisure groups within our pathways of care.

Part time, job share or term time only will be considered.

Main duties of the job

To provide a high standard Occupational Therapy service to children aged 0-25 years referred to the SEN OT by Enfield Local Educational Authority Special Educational Needs Service.

To be responsible for a defined caseload of children with specified OT in their EHCP within mainstream schools/nurseries as well as home educated children, out of borough provision and specified settings if requested. To provide second opinions on EHCP OT provision as requested by Enfield SEN and to take the lead in SEN Tribunals where OT is contested. To lead on the development of quality EHCP assessments and provision within the OT team and develop clinical expertise within this specialist area. To work closely with SEN caseworkers/SEN team and provide a link between the two services.

To contribute to and lead on aspects of planning, co-ordinating, delivering and evaluating the Children's Occupational Therapy Service. To contribute to and lead on specified service improvements in relation to the SEN OT post and quality initiatives within the team.

To provide high quality child centred, occupationally focused assessment and intervention to disabled children and children with additional needs. To support the team with implementing evidence-based treatment approaches and good practice guidelines in relation to SEN.

Job responsibilities

To manage the SEN OT caseload of children and young people with a range of needs including those with complex disabilities, providing occupationally focused assessment and intervention.

To act as an expert advisor and practitioner in Childrens OT providing second opinions if OT provision in an EHCP is contested.

Be the Lead OT for SEND appeals and tribunal legal processes, with specialist knowledge of complex cases within an educational context. To work closely with the SEN Team by contributing to appeals as a an expert witness where OT provision is contested.

To develop and maintain specialist knowledge of the EHCP process and appropriate legislation, to become the lead on EHCPs and the SEND Code of Practice within the OT team.

To work with the Clinical Lead OT on quality assurance regarding OT input into EHCPs. Specifically developing the quality of the OT teams EHCP assessments and reports.

Be the point of contact for the SEN Team for OT queries and advice in relation to OT provision in EHCPs.

Upon agreement with the Local Authority and OT clinical lead, to hold a community caseload to ensure continuation of CPD for the SEN Post holder; at these times, part of the SEN OT caseload will be covered by NHS OT.

Provision of highly specialist advice and intervention for a client group with complex physical, social, mental health and cognitive disabilities.

To set occupationally focused intervention goals with children and/or their parents/carers and schools that are child centred and agreed by the child and/or their parents/carers and school staff.

To set and maintain high standards of clinical practice, which is evidence based, and includes outcome measures to monitor achievement of person centred goals.

To work within an occupational frame of reference.

To demonstrate the ability to analyse the interplay of the child, environment and activity when assessing the childs level of functioning and identifying appropriate strategies and intervention to facilitate and enhance participation in self-care, school and play/leisure.

Person Specification

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Dip. COT or BSc OT or international equivalent.
• HCPC registered Occupational Therapist.
• Evidence of Continued Professional Development.
• Member of BAOT.
• Manual Handling.
• C.P.R.
• Fieldwork Education Certificate.
• Relevant courses and/or experience equivalent to Master's level.

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

• Extensive postgraduate clinical experience of Occupational Therapy.
• Extensive relative experience and practice in Children's Occupational Therapy. Good knowledge of current best practice in Occupational Therapy.
• Extensive experience in completing Education Health Care assessments and writing good quality EHCP reports.
• Good understanding of the importance of evidence-based practice and how it applies to clinical practice.
• Sound knowledge of child development and childhood occupations.
• Experience of child centred practice and goal setting with families and school staff (including co-production of EHC outcomes with families).
• Experience of working closely with the Education sector including school staff within a mainstream school setting.
• Specialist knowledge & application of OT Assessments (Standardised and Non-Standardised) & Interventions relevant to client group.
• Knowledge of evidence-based treatment approaches relevant to clinical area (e.g. Co-Op, Parent Coaching).
• Understanding and practical experience of using outcome measures.
• Extensive experience of working within a Multi-Agency Team.
• Experience of service development.
• Ability to incorporate principles of Clinical Governance into day to day workload.
• Experience in supervising & teaching junior staff & Students.
• Understanding of risks involved in work in the community and clinical settings.
• Well established knowledge of national policies, procedures and legislation relevant to Children's Occupational therapy (including Safeguarding).
• An excellent awareness of current issues and developments within the NHS and Education and how this relates to and impacts on service delivery.
• Good understanding of The SEND Code of Practice, Education Health Care Plans and the legislation that supports them.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Excellent communication skills both oral and written, including the ability to liaise and negotiate.
• Demonstrate ability to work as an effective team member.
• Ability to organise & respond effectively to complex information.
• Excellent analytical and critical appraisal skills.
• OT expertise in the management of service users with highly complex/special needs, utilizing advanced assessment and clinical reasoning skills to plan treatment.
• Ability to laterally think and problem solve.
• Ability to effectively promote self and the OT profession.
• Ability to work as an autonomous practitioner.
• Clinical leadership and supervision skills.
• Ability to organise and prioritise own and others workloads within a busy and pressured environment.
• Ability to cope with working in a stressful environment and with potentially emotional or aggressive clients/carers.
• Good computer literacy skills.
• Ability to keep accurate documentation.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

• Ability to meet the demands of the post including possible out of borough travel.
• Ability to work sensitively with a multicultural and diverse population with a commitment to non-discriminatory practice.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to family centred care and co-production.
• Thorough understanding of own personal development and learning needs.
• Evidence of being a pro-active and supportive team member.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Clean driving licence.
• Vehicle owner.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.