Specialist Occupational Therapist

Specialist Occupational Therapist

Location: Quidenham, Norwich, NR16 2NZ

Salary: £37,668.80 - £44,699.20 per year dependant on qualifications and experience 

Hours: 40 hours per week – Full year contract (open to Term time plus 2 weeks = 41 weeks total)

Closing date: 24/04/24

The Aurora Group are an innovative provider of education, care and support for children, young people and adults with special educational needs and disabilities. We have a growing number of schools, colleges and homes across the UK providing a wide range of services and facilities.

Aurora White House School and Aurora Eccles School

We’re currently looking to recruit a Specialist Occupational Therapist to develop the Occupational Therapy provision within the school. You will provide Occupational Therapy Services in response to needs identified by assessment and as set out as part of a Statement of Special Educational Needs or Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), to enable students to fulfil their potential all aspects of their lives. 

Part of the Aurora Group, Aurora Eccles and White House Schools in Quidenham, Norwich provides day placements for students aged 6 to 16 years primarily with communication and interaction difficulties or specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia. Some may be on the autistic spectrum or have anxieties and difficulties that create barriers to learning. 

With small classes, typically 7 children and a minimum of 3 staff per class you can focus on the needs of each student. There is a full clinical team onsite to support at all times and you will have the support of an experienced and stable SLT.

To take a virtual look around the schools please click here: Eccles Virtual Tour Or: White House Virtual Tour

Key Duties

• Providing an Occupational Therapy Service, which is run in an efficient manner so that students’ needs are met effectively.
• Assessing the occupational, functional and sensory limitations of children within their academic and wider settings.
• To write in-depth reports demonstrating clinical reasoning skills that are based on the analysis of findings from the assessments carried out within a specified time frame. 
• To work collaboratively with the child, their support network, and other agencies, in order to effectively communicate the needs of the child and how these needs can be best met.
• To deliver individualised interventions as outlined within the child’s EHCP and identified through Occupational Therapy assessment.
• To advise and source, where appropriate, specialist equipment believed to help address the occupational needs of the child or young person.
• To liaise effectively with senior managers, SENCO and all teaching staff such that best practice is evidenced throughout the whole curriculum.
• To be professionally and legally accountable and responsible for all aspects of your own work including the management of students in your care.
• To maintain regular records of intervention using agreed protocols and in line with the code of professional conduct.
• To attend appropriate multidisciplinary student reviews and team meetings; promoting our culture of joint working with other disciplines and outside agencies.

For the full job description please contact Liz from the recruitment team liz.hudson@the-aurora-group.com

Qualifications

• A recognised degree in Occupational Therapy
• Current registration of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Experience and qualifications in Sensory Integration Theory to at least level 3 as recognised by the Sensory Integration Network.
• Driving Licence and Vehicle Business Insurance. Working with children in their home may be required.

Knowledge and Experience

• Previous experience in an Occupational Therapist role, preferably with children and young adults.
• Have at least two years post-graduate experience working as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist.
• Have experience working with children and young people with a range of neurodevelopmental needs.
• Have experience or knowledge of delivering provision through the EHCP process.
• Have a clear understanding of relevant protection procedures and health and safety procedures including safeguarding and manual handling procedures.
• Have knowledge of legislation relevant to Occupational Therapy, education and social care.
• Have knowledge of the National Curriculum and school settings is desirable

Skills

• Ability to design and develop individual intervention programmes.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, including report writing.
• Supportive, and with the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.                             
• Patience, determination to secure the very best for our students, and a positive attitude.

Benefits and Additional Information

Be part of our successful team and also benefit from a generous package that includes:

• Life assurance and Pension
• Free lunches when working
• Free onsite parking
• Perkbox - offering high street discounts
• Employee assistance programme
• Car lease scheme
• Fully funded training and qualifications
• Bike to work scheme
• Family Swim
• Free membership to our Health cash back plan - Claim back money on services such as dental, optical, physio and many more

How to Apply: 

You can apply online by completing our online application form.  For more information on this position please contact Liz on  liz.hudson@the-aurora-group.com

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.

This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled. 

Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.