Occupational Therapist

Appleford School is looking for an Occupational Therapist with excellent interpersonal skills and a flexible and independent approach to work in our OT department. We are looking for an enthusiastic, friendly individual to join our small but expanding team.

Appleford School is a specialist day and boarding school for pupils aged 7-18 with dyslexia and associated learning difficulties, set in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside in the village of Shrewton, just off the A303.  Our ethos is to build pupils’ confidence through continuous support and celebration of success.  Rated ‘Excellent’ by ISI in all categories, the school has been providing the highest quality teaching for pupils with dyslexia for over 30 years.

Specification Qualifications Required:

• A recognised Occupational Therapy qualification (Degree/Diploma).

• HCPC registration.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience Required:

• Excellent interpersonal skills.

• Ability to demonstrate empathy with pupils and their families.

• Able to manage own time and caseload, prioritising tasks, with support. 

• Excellent reflection skills. 

• Some experience working with pupils aged 7-18 with Occupational Therapy needs;

• Some knowledge of Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ASD, ADHD and associated conditions.  

• Some experience in carrying out clinical assessment, planning and implementing a programme of intervention, note and report writing.

• Up to date clinical knowledge. 

Job Description

With support, managing an individual caseload of pupils with less complex occupational therapy needs. This involves:

• Conducting observation and informal/formal assessment to gain insight into pupils’ occupational performance strengths and areas of need;

• Working with pupils, parents and school staff to set client-centred occupational therapy targets with a functional and curriculum focus;

• Determining level of provision required for pupils;

• Producing comprehensive and accurate assessment reports for each pupil on a yearly basis;

• Maintaining up to date and accurate case notes in line with RCOT professional standards and departmental guidelines (i.e. use of proforma). 

• Planning and conducting evidence based, therapeutic interventions, likely to include community visits;

• Providing advice to pupils and relevant individuals in their lives;

• Working with other professionals to ensure pupils’ needs are met holistically;

• Delivering training to promote positive occupational therapy for those on your caseload;

• Attending annual reviews for pupils with Education, Health & Care plans (EHCPs) on your caseload.  

• Producing own timetable to ensure funded provision is met;

• Reporting any concerns meeting funded provision to line manager.   

Working with OT colleagues to ensure OT department is able to work effectively within academic setting. This involves:

• To care for and maintain equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained;

• Considering OT within your individual caseload and ensure you have sufficient resources (e.g. assessments and forms, literature, intervention programmes, games) to support them. 

• Working with senior colleagues to produce purchase orders for any equipment required on a termly basis. 

• Contributing towards the development of OT students as required. 

Engaging in continuing professional development, with the support of senior colleagues, alongside self-directed learning and reflection, to ensure best practice. This will include:

• Demonstrating clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures;

• Completing and keeping a record of CPD as per RCOT guidelines;  

• Attending and actively participation within regular supervision sessions with Senior OT;

• Reporting and discussing any clinical queries to Senior OT during supervision sessions or on an ad hoc basis.

• Attending periodic Personal Development Meeting’s (PDM) with the Head of Learning Support;

• Attending the teams termly supervision with an external Occupational Therapist; 

• Finding and attending external training programmes which are beneficial for pupils on their caseload and/or relevant for the whole school. 

• To adhere to local and national standards and guidelines relating to Professional Practice and maintain registration with the Health Professions Council. To recognise and demonstrate commitment to personal development and acquisition of further skills and knowledge. 

You will be working with a specialist caseload of pupils who have specific learning difficulties.  You will work closely with onsite Speech and Language Therapists, the pastoral team, and academic and Boarding Staff to ensure communication targets are incorporated into the educational setting.    

Full time/Part-time, 52 weeks p.a.