Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to make a positive impact within The Inclusion Bases within the London Borough of Islington. This newly created post will support a caseload of Primary Aged Children with complex learning needs, the majority of whom have a diagnosis of Autism.

Islington Additional Needs and Disability Service (IANDS) provides a multi-agency team approach to working with babies, children and young people who present with a wide range of needs. The postholder will work within a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environment, including other Allied Health Professionals, specialist teachers, social workers, psychologists, therapy assistants, nurses and Paediatricians.

The post holder will deliver a highly specialist Occupational Therapy service to children and young people with Education Health and Care Plans within the Islington Additional Needs and Disability Service who have autism, learning disabilities and/or other complex developmental needs affecting participation, learning and engagement. The role will adapt specialist occupational therapy approaches across a tiered service model. This post holder will be based within the Special Schools Team, working primarily at Inclusion Bases within the Islington borough, and may also be involved in supporting the development and delivery of Occupational Therapy interventions to support children & young people with complex needs in other settings.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will manage a specialist caseload, providing assessment, intervention, review and coordinated multidisciplinary working to support children to achieve meaningful occupational outcomes across school, home and community environments. Working closely with children, families, educational staff and partner agencies, they will contribute to target setting, annual reviews, Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) processes, and the development of Individual Support Plans. They will also deliver Occupational Therapy provision stipulated within EHCPs.

A key aspect of the role will be working closely with education staff within the Inclusion Bases to support the implementation of Occupational Therapy strategies and interventions within daily classroom routines and activities. The post holder will model practical approaches, provide advice and training, and work collaboratively with staff to develop their knowledge and confidence in meeting the needs of children with complex needs within the settings.

In addition to delivering clinical interventions, the post holder will coordinate Occupational Therapy provision across the two inclusion-base settings, working collaboratively with school leaders, school improvement partners and multidisciplinary colleagues to identify emerging needs, promote consistency of practice, monitor outcomes and evaluate the impact of the service.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To demonstrate highly specialist knowledge and skills in supporting children and young people with complex developmental needs, including autism, learning disabilities, sensory processing differences, social, emotional and mental health needs, and behaviours that may impact participation and engagement.

To maintain high standards of evidence-based occupational therapy practice, using appropriate assessment tools, outcome measures and clinical reasoning to inform intervention planning and evaluation.

To undertake specialist occupational therapy assessment, using standardised and non-standardised approaches to identify strengths, needs and barriers to participation across home, school and community environments.

To establish child-centred and functional goals in partnership with children, families, educational staff and other professionals.

To develop, implement and review individualised Occupational Therapy intervention plans that promote participation, independence, wellbeing and access to learning.

To select and deliver appropriate Occupational Therapy interventions, balancing clinical need, risk, safety, child and family preferences, and available resources.

To deliver individual and group interventions using meaningful, graded and occupation-focused activities to achieve identified outcomes.

To ensure informed consent is obtained and that children, young people and families have a clear understanding of assessment findings, recommendations and proposed interventions.

To utilise advanced clinical reasoning to analyse complex presentations, prioritise needs and determine appropriate intervention pathways.

To formulate and deliver specialist intervention programmes which may include environmental adaptations, sensory-based approaches, equipment provision, functional skill development, home programmes and recommendations for school-based support.

To work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues to coordinate assessment, intervention and review processes for children with complex needs.

To adapt Occupational Therapy practice to meet the individual circumstances, strengths and needs of each child and young person.

To maintain knowledge of current educational policy, SEND legislation and inclusive practice, incorporating these into clinical decision-making.

To apply specialist knowledge of medical, developmental and neurodevelopmental conditions when assessing needs and recommending adaptations to physical, social and learning environments.

To provide specialist advice, guidance and training to parents, carers, educational staff and other professionals to support implementation of occupational therapy recommendations.

To work closely with Inclusion Base and school staff to model therapeutic approaches, support implementation of strategies and develop staff confidence in meeting the needs of children with complex needs.

To liaise with educational colleagues regarding joint target setting, annual reviews, EHCP processes and staff development activities.

To utilise knowledge of health, education, social care and voluntary sector services to ensure timely referrals and coordinated support.

To contribute to Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments, Education, Health and Care Plans and annual review processes as required.

To assess for and recommend specialist equipment, environmental adaptations and assistive resources where appropriate.

To assess, manage and document clinical risk, ensuring compliance with Trust policies, safeguarding procedures, moving and handling requirements and lone-working guidance.

To work autonomously across community and educational settings, exercising professional judgement in complex situations.

To communicate effectively and sensitively with children, families, colleagues and partner agencies regarding clinical care, service delivery and support planning.

To communicate complex and sensitive information in a clear and accessible manner, taking account of communication differences and individual needs.

To establish and maintain effective relationships with children, families and professionals, including those experiencing distress, uncertainty or challenging circumstances.

To motivate and support children, families and educational staff to engage in therapeutic programmes and agreed intervention plans.

To demonstrate excellent negotiation, influencing and conflict-resolution skills across a range of professional situations.

To practise in accordance with Occupational Therapy Service policies, Trust procedures, HCPC standards, RCOT professional standards and relevant legislation.

To maintain knowledge of safeguarding, SEND legislation, Equality Act 2010 requirements and other relevant statutory frameworks.

To manage workload effectively, prioritising competing demands and using sound professional judgement in day-to-day decision-making.

To maintain accurate, timely and legally compliant clinical records and reports.

To provide specialist advice and support to less experienced colleagues, therapy assistants, students and partner professionals involved in the management of complex cases.

To delegate work appropriately and provide supervision to Occupational Therapy Assistants, students and less experienced staff.

To contribute to the promotion and representation of the Paediatric Occupational Therapy Service.

To participate in service development, quality improvement, clinical governance and implementation of service policies and procedures.

To support the Team Lead and Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist in the delivery and development of the service as required.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.