Occupational Therapist - Brantridge School

Salary: Band 5(FTE £26,321.49-£32,041.76) ACTUAL per annum £28,713-£34,953 FTE per annum inclusive of High Cost Area Supplement – Fringe and 40 days annual leave. Pro Rata.

Working Pattern :  Full Time - 36 hours per week 39 weeks (part time considered for the right candidate)

Brantridge School is a special school catering for boys with Social Emotional and Mental Health difficulties (SEMH) and Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC) from ages 6-12.

The school is located in an adapted country manor house on impressive grounds near Haywards Heath in the Sussex Weald, and offers its pupils an exciting programme of outdoor learning on site. It strives to provide a curriculum that is flexible and personalised to facilitate a community where individuals flourish and achieve their full potential.

Dedicated and experienced staff work with families to ensure children make real progress at Brantridge School, and parental feedback is overwhelmingly positive on the child-centred approach and flexibility of the staff team. To find out more about us visit www.brantridgeschool.org

The School is part of Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust and it has established a strong reputation with children, parents and professionals alike in educating and caring for pupils with challenging behaviour and associated learning difficulties. You will join a professional and dedicated educational team.

To find out more about Brantridge School please visit www.brantridgeschool.org

We are looking for an enthusiastic and resilient Occupational Therapist interested in a career in paediatric Mental Health to join our school to provide intensive specialist support for pupils. We seek a therapist who wants to develop their skills and knowledge in a specialist educational setting from Key Stage 1 and 2. Confidence and experience of working with children with complex Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs is essential.

You will

·        Be able to provide 1:1, paired and group interventions both in and outside of the classroom setting, in order to meet provision outlined on pupil’s Education, Health and Care Plans

·        Support the pupils with specific areas of difficulty, and have specific knowledge and experience in developing interventions to target social and psychological needs

·        Be confident in implementing strategies to manage pupils’ emotional regulation, to increase engagement in learning and develop pupils’ self-esteem

·        Attend multi-displinary meetings and provide training for the Education team, Pupil Support team, Safeguarding team and Therapy team to provide updates on pupil progress, encourage effective sharing of research and knowledge and to develop sound understanding of the needs of the pupils  

·        Be able to advise parents and carers with the management of students’ emotional regulation and sensory needs at home

·        To participate in the assessment process of the school and to contribute appropriute feedback

·        Maintain succinct clinical notes, complete relevant assessments highlighting issues of concern to the teams around the pupils and track progress, to ensure pupil data is available to inform future planning.

·        Contributing to annual review paperwork

This is a unique opportunity to develop specialist clinical skills within an educational environment, offering the chance to work collaboratively with a range of professionals and to use therapeutic skills creatively to meet the needs of pupils and students. In return we offer excellent support from colleagues and staff, commitment to CPD, access to internal and external training.

If you believe you can help our pupils to fulfil their potential at school, at home and in their communities and are looking for a fresh challenge, then this role may be just what you are looking for.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details on the role and the skills, experience and knowledge we are looking for.

Brantridge is part of Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust, an established family of specialist academies and college centres that provide for over 1500 pupils and students with a wide range of learning abilities and additional needs. To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit https://www.ohcat.org/work-for-us/

For an informal discussion about the role, candidates are invited to contact Hazel Smith, School Office Manager, via email h.smith@brantridge-school.co.uk  to arrange a time to speak with Dafydd Roberts – Principal. 

Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role. Failure to show evidence will result in your application not being shortlisted for interview.

Please note that CV applications cannot be considered. 

Closing Date: 14th June 2024

Interviews will take place on: week commencing 17th June 2024

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.