Senior Occupational Therapist

Job overview

The East London Community Forensic Service (ELCFS) is a multidisciplinary service, developed for service users in the process of and following discharge from forensic inpatient services within East London.This post is for a Senior Occupational Therapist based in the community forensic team. The post will be permanent and will be working with service users who are discharged to our North East London boroughs, these boroughs are Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking, Dagenham and Havering.

The successful candidate will be expected to hold a referral-based caseload, carry out OT assessments and plan interventions, with a focus on daily skills and engagement in meaningful activities. They will need to work closely with the wider therapy team and participate in the planning and delivery of the group programme. They will also have an important role in consulting with multidisciplinary teams, accommodation providers and partner organisations of ELCFS.

Main duties of the job

To be a Specialist Occupational Therapist, working as part of a Specialist Community Forensic Multidisciplinary team, responsible for providing a high level of assessments, recovery-focused treatment and interventions with service-users within the forensic directorate.

To support service-users using a recovery-based model so that they can step-down into increasingly independent, less restrictive and lower-cost placements.

To work with service-users using a recidivism approach, working collaboratively in developing or reinforcing protective factors which can reduce the likelihood of reoffending and/or relapsing.

To contribute to effective crisis and risk management plans, reducing likelihood of readmission into secure inpatient settings. To work creatively with service-users with a view of developing their employment skills, budgeting, self-care, participation in meaningful activity and daily living skills.

To work across a number of boroughs in the East London area and demonstrate flexibility and autonomy.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To undertake comprehensive assessment of service users with complex and severe mental health and/or Learning Disability needs, using well developed clinical reasoning to select appropriate assessments and assessment techniques.

To use MOHO based assessment tools and GAS goals to carry out ADL assessment, intervention plans and outcomes

To complete comprehensive assessments and reports, advising the service-user’s care team on appropriate level of supported living arrangements that best meets the service-user’s needs.

To work with service-users using a Recovery-based approach, implementing a range of interventions to support the service-user in developing independent living skills.

To work with service-users in building and developing community links and support networks.

To work with accommodation providers, family and carer’s where relevant.

To contribute to Recovery-focused groups and activities where applicable.

To complete mobility assessments and provide adaptive equipment to support the service-user to live independently.

To produce timely and accurate records in accordance with Health and Care Professions regulation.

To have a good understanding of the Mental Health act, taking into account the complexities of working with service-users whom have a Forensic history combined with a Mental Health and/or Learning Disability diagnosis.

To work with service-users using a Recidivism approach, working with service-users in developing protective factors that can support them from re-offending.

Using verbal, non-verbal and written communication tools, depending on the communication needs of the service-users so as to ensure serviceusers understanding. To be able to persuade, negotiate, as well and demonstrated empathy and reassurance. The Occupational therapist must adapt their communication techniques according to the needs of the service-user.

To urgently report and take appropriate action if there are immediate concerns about risk, safeguarding and service-users safety.

To be able to effectively represent Occupational therapy within the Multidisciplinary team.

To provide assessment reports, progress reports and outcome reports in a timely and reliable approach according to the patient care-pathway standards.

To ensure and contribute to effective record-keeping standards that meet over trust compliance standards, ensuring data-protection and governance standards are effectively implemented and maintained.

To communicate with a range of community based organisations and services where and when appropriate including developing links with local hostels, local charities and third sector organisations.