Specialist Occupational Therapist

Are you looking for an employer who can offer you opportunities for growth and development in your occupational therapy career- All whilst working within a friendly multidisciplinary team in a rewarding education setting?

Do you want to have opportunities to participate in research projects, special interest groups and form part of a wider occupational therapy network that meets regularly for training & development?

Do you want to have flexibility and be able to work creatively to deliver specialist OT assessment and intervention fostering independence within an education setting?

How about working for an employer who has been awarded a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the 6th year running? At OFG we give you time to enjoy those special moments and hobbies outside of work

Job Title:         Specialist Occupational Therapist (Maternity Cover) Location:         Dibden Park School & Bower Lodge School – Hampshire SO45 5TD (covering both sites) Salary:             Up to £53,200 pro rata (dependent on experience) Hours:             37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday 08:30am-16:30pm (2.5 days at each site)

Contract:          Fixed Term until July 2027

In a world where the demand for clinical support is increasing daily, we understand the importance and value of the work you carry out.  Your unique skills and expertise are critical to building better outcomes for our pupils. This is why we aim to have a multidisciplinary clinical team for each of our sites to provide this vital provision in collaboration with our education teams. Creating an environment where our pupils can truly flourish and grow in independence is key. About Outcomes First Group At Outcomes First Group, we believe every child has the ability to thrive when given access to a learning environment designed for their success. We exist to provide, champion and develop an exceptional education that is research-led and tailored around the abilities and aspirations of the individual - a commitment that shapes tomorrow’s leaders, cultivates a lifelong love of learning and equips young minds to craft their own bright futures. At the heart of our philosophy lies a unique blend of tradition and innovation. We champion smaller class sizes, personalised learning plans and a curriculum that prepares students for success both in and beyond the classroom, evidenced in a 97% success rate in guiding our leavers into education, employment or training. As the largest and most accomplished organisation in our sector, we have the capability to invest in forward-thinking initiatives and resources based on the needs of the individual pupil, rather than the collective. This investment creates consistent and measurable results for our pupils and teams. Outcomes First Group operates a number of specialist education and care brands across the UK, including Blenheim Schools, each delivering tailored provision to meet the diverse needs of children and young people. To find out more about our segments and expert services, visit: www.outcomesfirstgroup.co.uk/our-services

The role

We are looking for a Specialist Occupational Therapist to join our in-house clinical team at Dibden Park School & Bower Lodge School. Working collaboratively with the education team, you will deliver bespoke Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention to pupils who may have experienced developmental trauma, be neurodivergent or have SEMH needs. You will work within the standards provided in the OFG Occupational Therapy Ways of Working. This will guide your practice within an education setting and clarify your roles and responsibilities, while taking into account the requirements of your governing and professional bodies. You will be given responsibility for holding an occupational therapy caseload, with the full support of your designated clinical supervisor and Lead Clinician, also contributing to staff training and consultation as required. This post would suit a resilient, creative and enthusiastic individual.

Our Clinical Teams help maintain a person-centred, empowering approach always putting the pupils we support at the forefront of everything they do. All our settings maintain a strong safeguarding culture, and the pupils we support are heard, respected, and involved in decisions that affect them. We strive for excellence, which is why we are one of the leading service providers in the UK.  With this in mind, we are looking for a Specialist Occupational Therapist who shares our vision to use innovative approaches to enhance the quality of life and outcomes of the pupils we support.

Location:– Dibden Park School forms part of our Acorn Education brand, and is an independent specialist day school, supporting children and young people aged 8 – 16, Bower Lodge School for part of our Options Autism brand and is an independent specialist day school supporting children and young people aged 4 – 11

• School Finder - Acorn
• Education - Options Autism
• Dibden Park School
• Welcome to Bower Lodge School

For further information regarding this vacancy please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification attached.

Essential Criteria:

• Recognised Occupational Therapy degree
• HCPC registered and member of RCOT
• Relevant experience in a previously held job (LD, SEMH, neurodivergence)
• Enhanced knowledge and clinical understanding of OT theory and its practical application
• Experience of multi-disciplinary working in a range of settings, with some responsibility for service & team performance
• Experience of communicating with/working with families/relatives and carers
• Good communication including relationship, analytical and judgemental skills
• Clear understanding of the relationship between behaviour and communication
• Clear understanding of physical needs, dexterity, coordination and sensory skills for assessment and treatment of client group
• Clear understanding of other developmental needs that may impact on an individual and skills needed for independence
• Up to date knowledge of a range of approaches relating to neurodivergence, learning disability and trauma informed practice
• Knowledge of legislation and its implications for both clinical practice and professional management in relation to the client group
• Good clinical reasoning skills and able to confidently express rationale
• Able to engage in quality improvement and enhanced service delivery
• Understanding of information governance, confidentiality and record keeping standards
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of the multi-disciplinary team, as well as support with supervision of staff and students
• Sound knowledge of different assessment tools, intervention programmes and formulation of treatment plans from a range of OT modalities
• Evidence of continuous professional development and consistently undertakes self-development
• Ability and willingness to travel on company business
• Flexible approach to working environments, creative problem solver
• Able to work under pressure and to deadlines

Desirable

• 3+ years practicing as an OT
• Evidence of formal post graduate study in Sensory Integration and/or developmental trauma and/or sensory attachment Why work for us? Alongside working with a network of over 350 clinical colleagues with regular forums for peer reflection and practice development, Outcomes First Group offer an array of flexible benefit options.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward and flexible benefits 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
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
• 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 At Outcomes First Group we are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS We reserve the right to close vacancies early, please submit your application at the earliest opportunity. Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales. Job Ref: 322035 #occupationaltherapy#CareersinEducation#SpecialEducation#CareersinCare #CareersinSpecialEducation #Therapists #specialistoccupationaltherapist