Occupational Therapist

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Aspris Children’s Services (an independent company which was formally Priory Education and Children’s Services) is one of the UK’s leading independent providers of specialist care and education for a reason. We recruit some of the most committed people the sector.

Devon Children's Services is made up of two schools, Quay View School (Bere Alston) and Tor View School (Tavistock) and four children's homes based in Tavistock, Gunnislake and Okehampton.

We specialise in care and education of children and young people aged 7-19 with autism, learning difficulties, challenging behaviour and SEMH. The safeguarding and wellbeing of our young people who may have experienced challenges in their lives is always paramount; along with encouragement to achieve their full potential.

We are looking for a proactive and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to join our hardworking and friendly teams within the schools and care homes.  This full-time post is suitable for practitioners looking to extend their clinical experience within the field of Autism, Learning Disabilities and associated difficulties and work within a specialist educational setting. The selected candidate will be required to work closely with the Speech and Language Therapist and other professionals providing support to students; reporting to the Therapy Manager.

At least two years experience within this field in a relevant setting is essential as you will need to feel confident working as the only OT within the local therapy team. CPD opportunities will be provided for the successful candidate to develop skills and practice and to assist developing practice and information needs and there are opportunities to network with OT's in our Somerset provisions.

The successful candidate will be required to:

• Carry out individual student assessments
• Work holistically to plan and deliver therapy programmes for young people between ages of 7 and 19.
• Offer timetabled 1:1 and small group interventions
• Attend reviews for students
• Offer training and advice to the education team.
• Support the education team and offer guidance when carrying out activities with students such as cooking, and basic life skills such as personal hygiene tasks.
• Complete comprehensive reports and formal documents as required for individual students and following review.
• Collaborate with staff, students and parents to develop effective sensory diets and ensure individuals have relevant sensory resources to meet their needs
• Develop sensory sessions e.g. group/individualised sessions
• Develop sensory circuits/obstacle courses for gross motor skills etc
• Audit the school and home environments to ensure they meets optimal stimulation and minimal distraction levels
• Supporting the development of outstanding autism practise throughout the service

We require applicants to:

• Experience of working with students with complex sensory needs.
• Have good written and spoken communication skills, good interpersonal skills and be able to work well within a staff team.
• She/he must be aware of her/his own strengths and areas for development and be proactive in filling their own gaps in knowledge.
• All applicants must be fully-qualified Occupational Therapy Practitioners, members of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and any other relevant governing bodies.

Proof of membership and a recent Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) will be required upon successful appointment.

Aspris is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.  All applicants must be willing to undergo safeguarding screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.

What do you get in return?

• A generous salary
• Being part of a company that invests in you and your team for personal and professional development
• Reward and discount schemes
• Pension
• Enhanced DBS fee paid
• Access to a holiday package
• Cycle to work scheme
• Wellbeing support

We have the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of suitable applications.

References

For all roles we require a minimum of two references.  References provided must cover the last 3 years, for all of our services we will need to request all references from where you have worked with either Children or Vulnerable Adults. Please be advised that references may be requested prior to interview for roles within our schools.

About us

Our UK specialist schools, colleges, children’s homes and fostering agency provide the highest standards of support to children with a range of needs. This includes autism, learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties and supporting some of society’s most vulnerable children. With a large national footprint, as well as education services in the Middle East, this also offers significant and exciting development and progression opportunities for our staff.

Disclosure

Aspris Education & Children's Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All applicants must be willing to undergo safeguarding screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and disclosures with the relevant body at an enhanced level. We are an equal opportunities employer. Aspris Education and Children's services will cover the cost of a DBS.