Occupational Therapist

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 staff in the sector.

Strathmore College is a residential and day college in Stoke on Trent.  The college provides for learners aged 16-25 years who have learning difficulties, emotional, social and behavioural difficulties/disability. 

To get you off to the best start with us, we are offering a £500 bonus when you first start your new role, and a further £500 upon completion of your probationary period.*

The cohort of learners’ needs include mild to severe learning difficulty/disability, Downs Syndrome, Autistic Spectrum Conditions, speech and language difficulties coupled with other health related, mental or physical difficulties.  The learner’s needs are increasingly more complex, with a number of learners who were NEET and those who were finding engaging in education and learning challenging. The College uses meaningful, practical learning activities to engage and motivate learners.

The role:

• Ensure the assessments of learner’s sensory needs are carried out through the initial assessment process liaising with a Multidisciplinary Team.
• Produce pre-placement assessments reports that inform initial planning of learner’s programmes.
• Working within a Multidisciplinary Team, contribute to the development of positive intervention plans through the baseline assessment process, taking a lead on the formation of therapeutic strategies which ensures that the environment and support is effective to meet individual need and maintain wellbeing.
• Develop and implement staff training programmes to enable effective implementation of strategies.
• Develop staff skills by modelling best practice, provide mentoring and coaching support.
• Work as required, with parents, carers and external stakeholders to ensure consistency of support.
• Produce reports that effectively evidence and overview progress and achievement in line with organisational standards and support the review of the EHC Plan.
• Contribute to the continuous development of the college by evaluating practice against the Common Inspection Framework on an annual basis and work in a multi-disciplinary manner to produce an annual improvement development plan. 
• Work with the Wellbeing Lead implement and evaluate development on impact on learners’ achievement.
• Safeguarding is a high priority and policy and procedures needs to be followed at all times.  

At Aspris, we are dedicated to enhancing the life opportunities of the children and young people within our homes, and always celebrate uniqueness and diversity.

Our homes are part of a large children’s group with a national footprint offering significant development, support and progression opportunities. We also operate a fostering service and a number of high quality specialist schools in both the UK and the Middle East. 

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

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.

* this will be pro-rata for part time roles. Current employees are not eligible.

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.