Band 7 Occupational Therapist

The post holders will work together with an OT assistant within the Experts at Hand team, delivering support at a Universal, Targeted and Targeted Plus level to empower educational settings through advice, training, coaching and system-wide development activities. The role will support workforce development, service improvement and strategic inclusion priorities across the borough while ensuring Occupational Therapy practice is evidence-based, outcome-focused and aligned with SEND reforms and inclusive practice principles.

The post holders will also be responsible for evaluating activities and outcomes, as well as reporting on them.

To develop an effective and efficient high quality Occupational Therapy universal service for schools within the Experts at Hand team. To demonstrate highly specialist knowledge and skills in supporting children and young people with complex developmental needs, including autism, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, developmental co-ordination disorders, sensory processing differences, social, emotional and mental health needs, and behaviours that may impact participation and engagement. Demonstrate knowledge of implementing a variety of evidence-based treatment approaches for example Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (COOP) and Occupational Performance Coaching. Demonstrate an understanding of how a child's sensory processing needs and preferences can influence participation in occupation as part of a holistic assessment. Demonstrate and apply a high level of understanding of the effects of medical conditions and recommend adaptations and strategies to the childs physical and social environments. Observation of children and young people within educational settings to identify barriers to participation, learning and engagement. Collaborative problem-solving with school staff to support attainment of functional and educational outcomes. Environmental review and provision of advice regarding adaptations and reasonable adjustments. Guidance on strategies that promote participation, independence, engagement and inclusion within school activities and routines. Support for educational staff in implementing agreed strategies and interventions. Modelling of practical approaches and solutions within classroom and wider school environments. Working in partnership with families, schools and other professionals to support a coordinated approach to inclusion. Contributing to early intervention and prevention activities to reduce escalation of needs.

Designing and delivering bespoke training sessions for educational staff, parent/carers and partner organisations Facilitating co-produced workshops focused on occupational performance, participation and inclusion. Providing drop-in consultation sessions to support staff with advice and problem-solving. Supporting and facilitating communities of practice across educational settings. Developing practical resources, guidance materials and toolkits to support inclusive practice. Promoting evidence-based occupational therapy approaches within educational environments. Supporting staff to develop sustainable solutions that enhance children's participation and independence. Evaluating training and development activities to inform future service improvements.

Identifying emerging themes, trends and unmet needs through engagement with schools and stakeholders. Collaborating with Inclusion Advisers and other Experts at Hand partners to achieve shared outcomes. Sharing learning, innovation and examples of effective practice across educational settings and partner agencies. Contributing to service evaluation, quality improvement, audit and service development initiatives. Supporting the development of policies, pathways and guidance that promote inclusive practice. Using and reporting outcome data and feedback to inform service planning and future priorities. Representing Occupational Therapy within multi-agency forums, networks and working groups. Supporting the implementation of local and national SEND and inclusion agendas.

Key skills

To use knowledge of other multidisciplinary roles and external agencies to ensure effective management and timely onward referrals for more specialist support, if required To coordinate input with the other members of the Expert at Hands team and the wider network of professionals working to support mainstream school settings To demonstrate excellent negotiation skills across a range of issues and situations, recognising and resolving potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs. To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible. To practise in accordance with the standards, policies and procedures of the Occupational Therapy Service, the Trust, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), and relevant Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) professional guidance. To demonstrate and maintain a working knowledge of, and comply with, relevant legislation, statutory frameworks and procedures, including safeguarding children and adults, SEND legislation and processes, the Equality Act 2010, and other legal and professional requirements. Demonstrate highly effective personal coordination of day-to-day activities including prioritising caseloads, decision-making and problem solving. To ensure that documentation e.g clinical records and reports, are accurate and meet the standards legally required To prescribe, delegate and supervise the work of less experienced colleagues/Occupational Therapy Assistants/Students Participate in induction and training of new staff To participate in the publicising, promotion and representation of the Paediatric Occupational Therapy Service Keep up to date with developments within Occupational Therapy, early intervention and childrens services as well as latest research and guidance.

To have due regard for personal safety and that of children and young people/carers, adhering to moving and handling regulations and ensuring the safe positioning of self and others. To be flexible to the demands of the environment including unpredictable work patterns, deadlines and frequent interruptions. To conform to the provisions of the Health and Safety Act and to comply with local policies, attending statutory training including Level 3 Child Protection, on an annual basis or as required. To reflect and adhere to infection control and health and safety guidelines in order to deal with specific issues related to client contact: for example exposure to body fluids, infectious conditions. To employ appropriate strategies to manage behaviours that challenge within the workplace and in the community.

To occasionally deal with a wide range of complex emotions in staff and provide support to distressed staff members. Regularly travel within the community (schools etc.).Staff who deliver work into educational settings will need to take the bulk of their holiday time during school holidays

Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trustbelieves that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.

Education & Qualifications

Desirable: - Membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).

Skills & Abilities

Knowledge and Experience

Desirable: - Experience of having worked within educational settings

Personal Qualities

Essential: - Commitment to neuroaffirming and strengths-based practice; - Flexible and adaptable; - Professional, reliable and accountable