OR114148 -Experienced Occupational Therapist – EK

Role Purpose

The post holder will work as an experienced Occupational Therapist within the Local Authority Occupational Therapy Service, supporting the Council to meet its statutory duties under the Care Act 2014.

The role involves undertaking high-quality, person-centred and specialist assessments for adults living in the community, with a focus on promoting independence, safety, wellbeing and quality of life. The post holder will identify practical and sustainable solutions to enable people to remain safely in their own homes, reduce or manage risks, prevent deterioration in needs and avoid or delay the need for care or residential accommodation wherever possible.

The post holder will assess, monitor and review individuals with complex, multifaceted and progressive needs, including people with physical disabilities, long-term conditions, cognitive impairment and advanced progressive conditions.

The role will involve the assessment and provision of specialist equipment, moving and handling solutions, seating, minor and major adaptations and other interventions designed to support functional independence and meet identified outcomes.

The post holder will work collaboratively with residents, families, carers, social care colleagues, health professionals, housing services and external agencies to develop effective, strengths-based solutions that reflect individual choice, rights and preferences.

The post holder will also provide professional advice, supervision, coaching and mentoring to less experienced Occupational Therapists, students and support staff.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
Occupational Therapy Practice
Undertake autonomous, comprehensive and specialist Occupational Therapy assessments in accordance with statutory duties, professional standards and organisational policies.
Assess functional ability, environmental factors, risks, strengths and support networks to identify appropriate outcomes and interventions.
Work with adults, families and carers to develop person-centred solutions that promote independence, safety, choice and control.
Assess and recommend appropriate specialist equipment, assistive technology, minor adaptations and major adaptations to support people to remain safely at home.
Undertake specialist assessments including, where required, moving and handling, seating, equipment and major adaptation assessments.
Provide professional advice and expert Occupational Therapy opinion in relation to complex cases and risk management.
Identify practical solutions to reduce or manage risks, prevent deterioration and maximise an individual’s functional independence.
Consider the least restrictive and most proportionate intervention, balancing assessed needs and risks with an individual’s rights, wishes and choices.
Review interventions and outcomes to ensure that equipment, adaptations and support remain appropriate and effective.
Work with individuals experiencing complex, changing or progressive conditions and adapt interventions in response to changing needs.
Support individuals to remain in their own homes and reduce, delay or prevent the need for increased care or residential accommodation wherever practicable.
Ensure safe and effective manual handling practices and provide appropriate advice to individuals, carers and professionals.
Maintain professional practice in accordance with HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and relevant professional Occupational Therapy standards.
Communication, Engagement and Partnership Working
Build effective, respectful and inclusive relationships with residents, families, carers and professionals.
Communicate complex clinical and functional information clearly, adapting communication methods to meet individual needs, including where people have cognitive, visual, hearing, speech or communication difficulties.
Work collaboratively with Social Care, Health, Housing and other partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes.
Contribute to multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working, ensuring a coordinated and seamless response for individuals with multiple or complex needs.
Liaise with relevant services and external agencies to obtain information required to inform assessments, reviews and decision-making.
Provide information, advice and guidance to residents, families and carers regarding available services, equipment, adaptations and other forms of support.
Promote the individual’s involvement in assessment and decision-making, ensuring their views, wishes and desired outcomes are central to the process.
Develop and maintain effective professional relationships across organisational boundaries and contribute to the ongoing integration of health and social care services.
Supervision, Coaching and Professional Development
Provide professional advice, guidance, coaching and support to junior Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants and students.
Provide clinical supervision where appropriate and support the development of less experienced practitioners.
Mentor newly qualified Occupational Therapists and contribute to their development and consolidation of professional skills.
Support students undertaking practice placements and work towards/maintain relevant Practice Placement Educator accreditation.
Act as a source of specialist knowledge and professional advice within identified areas of practice.
Maintain and develop professional knowledge and skills through continuing professional development.
Keep up to date with current Occupational Therapy practice, legislation, national developments and local service priorities.
Assessment, Decision-Making and Risk Management
Make professional judgements based on comprehensive assessment, evidence, legislation, professional standards and the individual’s circumstances.
Manage complex situations where needs, risks, rights and choices may conflict.
Identify and manage risks relating to functional ability, moving and handling, the home environment, equipment and care arrangements.
Make appropriate clinical recommendations and seek management advice where required for complex or high-risk cases.
Consider capacity, consent, safeguarding and the least restrictive approach when making professional decisions.
Promote positive risk-taking where appropriate while ensuring that individuals are protected from avoidable harm.
Ensure decisions are proportionate, evidence-based, person-centred and clearly documented.
Safeguarding
Maintain a strong duty of care to safeguard adults, children, families and carers.
Recognise and respond appropriately to concerns relating to abuse, neglect, exploitation or ill-treatment.
Raise safeguarding concerns through the appropriate safeguarding procedures and contribute to enquiries, protection planning and risk management where required.
Work collaboratively with safeguarding colleagues and partner agencies to promote wellbeing while protecting individuals from abuse and neglect.
Case Management and Performance
Manage and prioritise an allocated caseload effectively, ensuring assessments, reviews and actions are completed within required timescales.
Plan and organise workload independently, balancing competing priorities and responding appropriately to urgent and complex cases.
Maintain accurate, timely and comprehensive case records and professional documentation.
Prepare reports, assessments and professional recommendations to support decision-making.
Ensure records are maintained in accordance with legislation, organisational policies and information governance requirements.
Prepare information and professional responses for complaints, legal enquiries and political enquiries where required.
Monitor the effectiveness