Therapy Assistant

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!

Job Title:        Therapy Assistant

Salary:       £18,500 per annum

Location:     Heath Farm School, Charing Heath, Ashford, Kent

Contract:         Permanent; Term Time Only

Hours:       37.5 hours per week; Monday to Friday

If you really want to make your mark in a rapidly growing business that is committed to improving the lives of children and young people, we have the role for you!

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Therapy Assistant to join our Clinical Wellbeing Team. The role will be based at Heath Farm School.

Who we are looking for:

We are looking for a committed and dynamic Therapy Assistant to join. You would need to demonstrate drive, motivation and resilience and the ability to work with multi-disciplinary teams. Applicants must have

• Commitment to the values of the organisation
• Experience of working as an MDT, or a willingness to do this effectively
• Ability to work independently as agreed under supervision
• Ability to work within the boundaries of the role of Therapy Assistant
• Effective communication
• High level of professionalism
• Use of reflective and analytical thinking in assessment and therapeutic work
• Ability to work under pressure to drive a service forwards positively
• Clear and concise record keeping
• Ability to work with behaviour that challenges
• A driving license and car are essential due to the regional nature of the role.

About the School

It is an exciting time to join Heath Farm School. Under the leadership of the new, forward-thinking headteacher, the school and its team are currently in the process of redesigning and creating a purposeful and unique ‘Heath Farm Curriculum’ that fully meets the holistic needs of our students.

We are an independent SEN school that offers a unique and stimulating environment where every pupil can make outstanding progress in their personal development and enjoy success in their education. From our nurturing approach for primary pupils through to the relaxed working environment of the specialist 6th Form Centre, all students are encouraged to reach high standards in every aspect of their lives.

Our students present with a wide range of needs, including social and emotional issues, learning difficulties, mental health problems and associated conditions. However, they are able to enjoy extraordinary outcomes and be happy at school.

As an independent SEN school, we are far removed from the toxicity and bureaucracy found in so many other schools and we are able to abandon ineffective and traditional methods in favour of new, highly effective and tailored initiatives – essentially, we do what we know is right for the students in our care.

We are part of Acorn Education and Care and can promise you plenty of challenges, and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career.

Acorn Education and Care is part of the Outcomes First Group.

Why join Acorn Education & Care? 

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the children and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to a fully enhanced DBS.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy.