Occupational Therapist (Band 5)

Overview

We have an exciting opportunity to invite applications from Band 5 therapists, who wish to develop their knowledge, experience and their expertise within a dedicated and supportive team. Clinical supervision, managerial supervision and opportunities for Continuing Professional Development are provided.

CognusTherapies is a thriving multidisciplinary team of Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, and Therapy Assistants who support children and young people in schools, colleges, bases and specialist provisions within the London Borough of Sutton and surrounding boroughs. We work with children and young people aged 4 to 25 years of age, across Primary, Secondary and Post-16 provisions, with a variety of special educational needs, e.g. Autism, Global Developmental Delay, Hearing Impairment, Down Syndrome, PMLD, MLD and many more. We encourage all our therapists to gain experience and expertise across a range of specialisms.

CognusTherapies forms part of the Cognus Limited provision for special educational needs within the London Borough of Sutton.

Main duties of the job

• Work within a multidisciplinary team of occupational therapists and speech and language therapists
• Have the opportunity to work in schools, colleges, bases and / or specialist provisions across the London Borough of Sutton
• Work with children and young people aged 4 to 25 years (often working within a specific age range, e.g. Primary)
• Support local schools / settings to support children and young people with Occupational Therapy Needs
• Work with children and young people who have a range of special educational needs (e.g. Autism, Hearing Impairment, Developmental Language Disorder, Down Syndrome, PMLD, MLD, SLCN)
• Manage own caseload with support, to ensure intended outcomes are delivered within agreed service standards

About us

You will give us great commitment and in return we offer an excellent package including:

i) Workplace pension scheme 4% to 8% matched contributions

ii) 28 days annual leave pro rata (plus Bank Holidays)

iii) Regular manager support and supervision

iv) Hybrid and flexible working subject to agreement

v) Staff benefits package, currently including Employee Assistance Programme, Perkbox and (upon completion of probation) Sovereign Healthcare Cashback plan

vi) Staff EDI group and Mental Health First Aiders to support wellbeing and inclusion

vii) Cognus Coaching Programmes

viii) An ambitious culture with friendly and supportive colleagues

We also offer the following benefits for this post:

• Access to highly skilled clinical leads
• Access to a wide range of clinical resources
• Access to regular and supportive peer supervision
• Complete NQP competencies with highly skilled clinical supervisors
• RCOT and HCPC registrations paid

Job responsibilities

To personally undertake a caseload to include:

• Visiting children and young people at their educational setting
• Completing assessments with children and young people
• Delivering therapy programmes to individuals or small groups
• Offering advice and support to parents / carers and teaching staff
• Maintaining all records to a high standard

Specific Duties:

• Provide advice and support to school staff
• Use screening and assessment tools (formal and informal assessments)
• Prioritise new referrals, with support
• Complete case histories to gather relevant information
• Write reports based on assessment information
• Make onward referrals, with support
• Liaise with all professionals involved
• Liaise with parents / carers and school staff to work collaboratively
• Contribute to professional advice regarding statutory assessments (Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments)
• Contribute to professional advice for Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) annual reviews
• Complete duties for both London Borough of Sutton and out of borough (when requested)
• Monitor and record the child or young person's progress towards their outcomes and targets
• Attend team meetings
• Attend clinical supervision
• Attend managerial supervision

Training and Development Responsibility

Promote Evidence Based Practise and embed this into professional activities, e.g. delivery of therapy

Embed legislative change and key developments with support from the team

Participate in clinical audits, service development activities and research as and when required

Engage in CPD activities

Comply with the Cognus Limited mandatory training requirements

Plan, deliver and evaluate training sessions for educational provisions, with support

Person Specification

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in Occupational Therapy
• Relevant qualifications including registration with HCPC and RCOT
• Ability to prioritise and deliver results to a high standard
• Knowledge of relevant assessment tools and therapy interventions
• Excellent organisational skills
• Excellent ICT skills, e.g. using spreadsheets and recording notes electronically
• Ability to work collaboratively and in partnership with other professionals
• Experience of working in educational settings
• Experience as a paediatric occupational therapist
• Adherence to RCOT and HCPC policies and procedures
• Committed to safeguarding and protection of children
• Upholds Cognus Equal Opportunity Policy, Dignity at Work Policy, Safeguarding and Protection of Children, Health and Safety and Data Protection Policy at all times

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£34,052.35 to £42,744.33 a year Inclusive of HCAS