SEN Teacher / Occupational Therapist

The Hamilton International School (THIS) provides specialist teaching and therapy for students whose primary need is Speech, Behaviour, Language and Communication. Some pupils are also on the autistic spectrum and have high level sensory needs. 

The Occupational Therapist’s (OT) priority is to provide clinically effective, person centred, and evidence based occupational therapy assessment and intervention to students at The Hamilton International School. THE OT will also provide support and training to all education staff regarding occupational therapy interventions. 

JOB PURPOSE AND SCOPE: 

• To provide clinically effective, person centered, and evidence based occupational therapy assessment and intervention to children at the Hamilton International School. 

• To provide support and training to all education staff with regard to occupational therapy interventions. 

FUNCTIONAL LINKS: 

The Occupational Therapist will be expected to work in collaboration with allied professionals and will need to maintain links with a variety of bodies. These will include: 

1. Students and their parents/carers and advocates 

2. School staff 

3. Other professionals working with the students 

4. Relevant Community Services 

CLINICAL 

• To provide an Occupational Therapy service to the school, focusing on sensory motor development and functional skills. 

• To work as part of the therapy team, assessing pupils OT needs in regards to sensory, physical and self-care using both standardised and non-standardised assessments. 

• To use clinical reasoning skills, to analyse and interpret assessment results in order to set appropriate therapy goals and outcome measures. 

• To monitor, evaluate and modify intervention in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention. 

• To provide individual or small group therapy, as required.

• To liaise with all team members and family/carers to provide a coordinated approach and ensure occupational therapy treatment is integrated into the student’s targets that support learning and skills for daily living. This could include home visits and monitoring phone calls. 

• To contribute to and / or provide training to both school staff and parents. 

• To work closely with the SEN team, including the speech and language therapists, to ensure provision is child centered and the environment enables them to realise their potential and maximise their academic, social, physical and emotional development. 

• To develop and monitor OT programmes implemented by the Special Education Teachers and Learning assistants.

• To support, advise and supervise the same. 

• To assess for, advise and order specialist equipment being aware of financial implications and restrictions in liaison with reporting relationships. 

• To monitor new developments in specialised equipment and communicate with the SENCO. 

• To instruct those working with children how to correctly use equipment and set guidelines for its use. 

• To attend school –arranged meetings for children, including IEP meetings, reviews and parent evenings. 

• To use IT and other alternative methods of communication to overcome barriers to communication e.g. simple clear language, Makaton, symbols, visuals and objects.

ADMINISTRATION & MANAGEMENT 

• To manage a clinical caseload and time effectively, prioritising work as required. 

• To complete and maintain accurate treatment records in accordance with the Standards of Practise set by THIS.

• To write professional reports to be shared at review meetings, and to attend review meetings where appropriate. 

• To address issues of confidentiality, consent and sharing information throughout assessment and intervention according to THIS regulations. 

• To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out duties, including competence to use equipment and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others through teaching, training and supervision of practice. 

PROFESSIONAL 

• To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice where appropriate. 

• To be aware of the sensitivity required to work closely, effectively and in a professional manner with our students, parents/ carers and other professionals.  

• To respect the confidentiality, individuality, values and cultural and religious diversity of pupils. 

• To undertake school induction programmes and continued professional development (CPD), including child protection and safeguarding, health and safety and risk management training. 

• To participate in staff meetings, department meetings and liaison meetings with other professionals. 

• To promote awareness of the role of occupational therapy within the school and home community. 

• To maintain personal development through use of off- site and in-house training, contact and involvement with relevant special interest groups, attendance of CPD, and review of literature as required. 

• To maintain own clinical professional development by keeping abreast of new developments within the profession and ensure that practice is based on best available evidence. 

• To review and reflect on own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision.

 Health and Safety

• Emphasizes the importance of safety in all areas of the curriculum, communicating to the pupils the importance of a responsible attitude towards personal safety, the safety of others and respect for The Hamilton International School’s property and equipment

• Perform playground duties on time and with due diligence to safeguard Hamilton students

• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities

• Assist in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct

• Ensure that, all the necessary health and safety rules and procedures are being followed

• Maintain an awareness of all the health and safety measures to be taken when in school

Position Requirements

Education: 

• Bachelor’s Degree/Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited institution 

• Child Care and Protection 

Experience: Minimum 3 years’ relevant experience

Language: English is mandatory

THIS is fully committed to students’ safeguarding and protection. The selected applicants will be required to take responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people within our school, as well as adhere to and ensure compliance with The Hamilton International School’s child protection policies and procedures.

Criminal Background Checks

All successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory Criminal Background Checks covering the 10 years prior to their start date with the school; this will cover all countries of residence during that period.

Thank you for considering The Hamilton International School as your next place of employment. We regularly update this page with teaching, support and administrative positions.