Occupational Therapist

Job Title: Part Time – Occupational Therapist (sensory Integration)

Location:  Stretton and Oakham, Rutland

Salary: £33,222 - £37,161 pro rata (based on educational level, certification(s), and experience)

Hours: 24 per week (3 full days 8:30-5pm)

The Shires is an outstanding autism day & residential school located in the East Midlands for young people and adults from 10 years upwards with autism and complex needs. We provide a wide range of specialist residential care and education for children and young people aged 10 to 19 and for adults aged 18 to 65 who have a diagnosis of autism and may have accompanying learning disabilities. The home and school occupy the same site and the care and education staff work closely together to achieve outstanding outcomes. Parents and placing authorities respect and value our professionalism, warmth and integrity and the way we strive to create a family-like ethos and a homely atmosphere.

The Shires is part of the Acorn Care and Education Group, the second largest private sector provider of special needs education in the country operating 17 schools for children and young people who have a range of social, emotional and mental health needs and also pupils who have been diagnosed with autism or demonstrate behaviours associated with autism

About the Role

Due to continued growth we now have a fantastic opportunity for a part time OT assistant to join The Shires. The successful candidate will be responsible for assessing and providing OT to our young people with ASD and co diagnosis including mental health, attachment and sensory challenges aged from 10-25 years. 

Reporting to the Principal and Head of Schools you will also be required to support the Senior Leadership team to manage staff training and development.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an Occupational Therapist who is fully qualified with a level 2 or 3 in sensory integration. Ideally, with 5 years post graduate experience in assessing and providing treatment to young people with complex care needs. The ideal candidate will have a strong ability to solve problems independently, with a high degree of accuracy of report writing and experience of ASD within a school and residential setting.

Key Accountabilities

1. Generating comprehensive assessments including sensory profiles

2. Providing blanket referrals on all young persons

3. Treatments, planning and delivery within group and individual approach both in and out of the classroom

4. Provide training to staff on sensory processing

5. Managing your own caseload involving writing and updating care plans and schedules

6. Working closely with Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) and external agencies

7. Report writing including input to the EHCP

8. Complex needs young person’s aged 10-25 years with ASD and co diagnosis including mental health, attachments and sensory challenges

9. Service development

10. Sourcing and recommending equipment suitable for the young person’s needs

11. Knowledge of occupational therapy theories, models of practice, principles, and evidence based practice 

12. Preferred knowledge in Sensory Integration theory and practices 

13. Knowledge of human development throughout the life span 

14. Ability to articulate the role of the occupational therapy in the evaluation, intervention planning, and intervention process 

15. Ability to analyse tasks relative to areas of occupation, performance skills, activity demands, contexts, and student factors to implement the intervention plan 

16. Ability to recognise occupational performance deficits in the areas of personal care, student role/interactive skills, processing skills, play, community integration, and written communication 

17. Skill in gathering screening and evaluation data, completing checklists, histories, and interviews 

18. Ability to select, adapt, and sequence relevant occupations and purposeful activities that support intervention goals 

19. Skill in effective oral and written communication 

20. Ability to maintain safe environments, equipment, and materials 

21. Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records and progress notes 

22. Willingness to be educated and trained for specific program implementation 

23. Initiative, strong work ethic, and the ability to positively interact and collaborate in a team     environment 

24. Complete thorough evaluation, including muscle tone, range of motion/mobility, orthopaedic needs, movement analysis, perceptive/fine motor skills, sensory motor processing and functional activities of daily living. 

25. Educate and demonstrate (verbally or written) therapy techniques to parents that can be incorporated into the home

26. Develop and implement IEPs to meet the individual needs of the child.  

27. Attend staff meetings, in-service training, and continuing education courses as appropriate or required.  

28. Assess and make recommendations regarding the use of adaptive equipment as needed and provide written justification.  

29. Responsible for timely documentation of evaluation results, progress reports, discharge reports, daily notes, service tracker notes. 

Essential Criteria

• Qualified Occupational Therapist with certification

• Level 2 or 3 Sensory Integration

• Excellent IT skills including MS Office

• Experience of working with young people with  ASD and complex care needs

• Excellent interpersonal skills, to gain credibility and respect from people at all levels and maintain a positive relationship with all customers.

• Adaptability and flexibility – can handle multiple priorities

• High degree of accuracy, attention to detail and organisational skills.

• Ability to deal with difficult and multiple tasks at any one time and prioritise work to meet demanding timescales.

• Team orientated yet also able to work autonomously

• Manage own caseload

• Full driving licence

Why work for us

• Free parking

• Free meals

• Holidays on pro rata 6.6 weeks

• Extensive Training 

• Annual loyalty bonus

• Attendance Voucher

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment and undertake appropriate checks.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.