OR114148 -Experienced Occupational Therapist – EK

Role Purpose

The post holder will work as an experienced Occupational Therapist within the Local Authority Occupational Therapy Service, supporting the Council to meet its statutory duties under the Care Act 2014.

The role involves undertaking high-quality, person-centred and specialist assessments for adults living in the community, with a focus on promoting independence, safety, wellbeing and quality of life. The post holder will identify practical and sustainable solutions to enable people to remain safely in their own homes, reduce or manage risks, prevent deterioration in needs and avoid or delay the need for care or residential accommodation wherever possible.

The post holder will assess, monitor and review individuals with complex, multifaceted and progressive needs, including people with physical disabilities, long-term conditions, cognitive impairment and advanced progressive conditions.

The role will involve the assessment and provision of specialist equipment, moving and handling solutions, seating, minor and major adaptations and other interventions designed to support functional independence and meet identified outcomes.

The post holder will work collaboratively with residents, families, carers, social care colleagues, health professionals, housing services and external agencies to develop effective, strengths-based solutions that reflect individual choice, rights and preferences.

The post holder will also provide professional advice, supervision, coaching and mentoring to less experienced Occupational Therapists, students and support staff.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Occupational Therapy Practice

• Undertake autonomous, comprehensive and specialist Occupational Therapy assessments in accordance with statutory duties, professional standards and organisational policies.
• Assess functional ability, environmental factors, risks, strengths and support networks to identify appropriate outcomes and interventions.
• Work with adults, families and carers to develop person-centred solutions that promote independence, safety, choice and control.
• Assess and recommend appropriate specialist equipment, assistive technology, minor adaptations and major adaptations to support people to remain safely at home.
• Undertake specialist assessments including, where required, moving and handling, seating, equipment and major adaptation assessments.
• Provide professional advice and expert Occupational Therapy opinion in relation to complex cases and risk management.
• Identify practical solutions to reduce or manage risks, prevent deterioration and maximise an individual’s functional independence.
• Consider the least restrictive and most proportionate intervention, balancing assessed needs and risks with an individual’s rights, wishes and choices.
• Review interventions and outcomes to ensure that equipment, adaptations and support remain appropriate and effective.
• Work with individuals experiencing complex, changing or progressive conditions and adapt interventions in response to changing needs.
• Support individuals to remain in their own homes and reduce, delay or prevent the need for increased care or residential accommodation wherever practicable.
• Ensure safe and effective manual handling practices and provide appropriate advice to individuals, carers and professionals.
• Maintain professional practice in accordance with HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and relevant professional Occupational Therapy standards.

Communication, Engagement and Partnership Working

• Build effective, respectful and inclusive relationships with residents, families, carers and professionals.
• Communicate complex clinical and functional information clearly, adapting communication methods to meet individual needs, including where people have cognitive, visual, hearing, speech or communication difficulties.
• Work collaboratively with Social Care, Health, Housing and other partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes.
• Contribute to multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working, ensuring a coordinated and seamless response for individuals with multiple or complex needs.
• Liaise with relevant services and external agencies to obtain information required to inform assessments, reviews and decision-making.
• Provide information, advice and guidance to residents, families and carers regarding available services, equipment, adaptations and other forms of support.
• Promote the individual’s involvement in assessment and decision-making, ensuring their views, wishes and desired outcomes are central to the process.
• Develop and maintain effective professional relationships across organisational boundaries and contribute to the ongoing integration of health and social care services.

Supervision, Coaching and Professional Development

• Provide professional advice, guidance, coaching and support to junior Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants and students.
• Provide clinical supervision where appropriate and support the development of less experienced practitioners.
• Mentor newly qualified Occupational Therapists and contribute to their development and consolidation of professional skills.
• Support students undertaking practice placements and work towards/maintain relevant Practice Placement Educator accreditation.
• Act as a source of specialist knowledge and professional advice within identified areas of practice.
• Maintain and develop professional knowledge and skills through continuing professional development.
• Keep up to date with current Occupational Therapy practice, legislation, national developments and local service priorities.

Assessment, Decision-Making and Risk Management

• Make professional judgements based on comprehensive assessment, evidence, legislation, professional standards and the individual’s circumstances.
• Manage complex situations where needs, risks, rights and choices may conflict.
• Identify and manage risks relating to functional ability, moving and handling, the home environment, equipment and care arrangements.
• Make appropriate clinical recommendations and seek management advice where required for complex or high-risk cases.
• Consider capacity, consent, safeguarding and the least restrictive approach when making professional decisions.
• Promote positive risk-taking where appropriate while ensuring that individuals are protected from avoidable harm.
• Ensure decisions are proportionate, evidence-based, person-centred and clearly documented.

Safeguarding

• Maintain a strong duty of care to safeguard adults, children, families and carers.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to concerns relating to abuse, neglect, exploitation or ill-treatment.
• Raise safeguarding concerns through the appropriate safeguarding procedures and contribute to enquiries, protection planning and risk management where required.
• Work collaboratively with safeguarding colleagues and partner agencies to promote wellbeing while protecting individuals from abuse and neglect.

Case Management and Performance

• Manage and prioritise an allocated caseload effectively, ensuring assessments, reviews and actions are completed within required timescales.
• Plan and organise workload independently, balancing competing priorities and responding appropriately to urgent and complex cases.
• Maintain accurate, timely and comprehensive case records and professional documentation.
• Prepare reports, assessments and professional recommendations to support decision-making.
• Ensure records are maintained in accordance with legislation, organisational policies and information governance requirements.
• Prepare information and professional responses for complaints, legal enquiries and political enquiries where required.
• Monitor the effectiveness of interventions and ensure appropriate follow-up and review.
• Contribute to service development, quality improvement and the achievement of Occupational Therapy Service objectives.

Legislation, Policies and Compliance

• Care Act 2014
• Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996
• Disabled Facilities Grant legislation and guidance
• Housing and Regeneration Act 2008
• Disabled Persons’ Parking Badges Act 2013 and relevant Blue Badge guidance
• Carers legislation
• Health and Social Care legislation
• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• Safeguarding legislation and procedures
• Equality and anti-discrimination legislation
• UK GDPR and Data Protection legislation
• Relevant HCPC standards and professional Occupational Therapy standards

The post holder will work within relevant legislation, professional standards and Council policies, including, but not limited to:

• Care Act 2014
• Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996
• Disabled Facilities Grant legislation and guidance
• Housing and Regeneration Act 2008
• Disabled Persons’ Parking Badges Act 2013 and relevant Blue Badge guidance
• Carers legislation
• Health and Social Care legislation
• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• Safeguarding legislation and procedures
• Equality and anti-discrimination legislation
• UK GDPR and Data Protection legislation
• Relevant HCPC standards and professional Occupational Therapy standards

The post holder must comply with all relevant corporate policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, information governance, confidentiality, data protection, corporate governance and the Council’s Code of Conduct.

Other Responsibilities

• Contribute positively to the culture and values of the organisation.
• Demonstrate professional accountability and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Provide excellent customer service to residents and stakeholders.
• Work flexibly across Council locations and services according to operational requirements.
• Undertake travel across the Borough as required.
• Work within a hybrid working model, including approximately 3 days office-based and 2 days remote, subject to service requirements.
• Work from a designated/fixed location where required, recognising that this may be subject to change.
• Work flexibly outside traditional working hours, including occasional evenings or weekends, where service requirements dictate.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and nature of the post.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Occupational Therapy.
• Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to Occupational Therapy practice.
• Willingness to undertake relevant post-qualifying and vocational training.
• Willingness to undertake appropriate Practice Placement Educator training/accreditation.

Desirable Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in Occupational Therapy or another relevant discipline.
• Qualification or recognised training in moving and handling/manual handling.
• Training or qualification in Blue Badge assessment and relevant Department for Transport guidance.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong knowledge and application of Occupational Therapy theory, assessment and intervention.
• Understanding of the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and relevant professional standards.
• Knowledge of statutory Occupational Therapy practice within a Local Authority environment.
• Good working knowledge of the Care Act 2014 and other relevant legislation.
• Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act, safeguarding, moving and handling, housing adaptations and Disabled Facilities Grants.
• Excellent assessment, clinical reasoning, problem-solving and risk-management skills.
• Ability to undertake complex functional and specialist assessments.
• Ability to assess and recommend specialist equipment and major adaptations.
• Excellent manual handling and moving and handling assessment skills.
• Ability to balance risk, rights, choice, independence and wellbeing.
• Excellent verbal, written and non‑verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people with a range of cognitive, sensory, communication and physical needs.
• Strong organisational and workload‑management skills.
• Ability to prioritise competing demands and work effectively to deadlines.
• Ability to work autonomously while recognising when management or multidisciplinary advice is required.
• Ability to provide professional supervision, coaching and mentoring.
• Ability to work effectively within multi‑disciplinary and multi‑agency environments.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and electronic case management systems.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and non‑discriminatory practice.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working as an Occupational Therapist across a range of complex presentations and functional needs.
• Experience of undertaking statutory or community-based Occupational Therapy assessments.
• Experience of assessing and arranging specialist equipment and major adaptations.
• Experience of undertaking moving and handling assessments.
• Experience of working with people with progressive, long‑term or complex conditions.
• Experience of working with families and carers to identify and achieve positive outcomes.
• Experience of working collaboratively with partner agencies and multidisciplinary professionals.
• Experience of contributing to or working within a multi‑agency team.
• Experience of managing a complex caseload and prioritising competing demands.
• Experience of providing professional advice, guidance or support to less experienced staff and/or students.

Desirable

• Experience of working within a Local Authority Occupational Therapy service.
• Experience of Disabled Facilities Grant processes and major adaptation pathways.
• Experience of Blue Badge assessment.
• Experience of clinical supervision and mentoring.
• Experience of leading or coordinating multi‑agency work.

Key Outcomes of the Role

• Remain safe and independent in their own homes.
• Maximise their functional ability and quality of life.
• Access appropriate equipment and adaptations.
• Reduce and manage risks within their home environment.
• Maintain independence and reduce reliance on formal care.
• Prevent or delay deterioration and escalation of care needs.
• Achieve outcomes that are meaningful to them.
• Exercise choice, control and independence.
• Receive coordinated support from health, social care, housing and other services.

The role will also contribute to a high-quality, responsive and legally compliant Occupational Therapy Service that delivers person-centred, strengths-based and outcome-focused interventions.

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