Job summary
We are seeking a newly or more recently qualified Paediatric Occupational Therapist to join our innovative, pro-active and growing Team at the Bridge School.
Islington Additional Needs and Disability Service (IANDS) provides a multi-agency team approach to working with babies, children and young people who present with complex disabilities. The service is currently split into teams including the Special Schools Team. The post holder will be based within the Special Schools Team, primarily based at The Bridge School. The Bridge is an outstanding school for children aged 4-19 who have significant learning needs, and the majority of children and young people have a diagnosis of Autism.
The post holder will be a newly qualified Occupational Therapist or an experienced Band 5 therapist looking to develop their clinical experience working in a special school's service.
The post holder will work in the multidisciplinary and multi-agency environment including working with, specialist teachers, therapy assistants, psychologists, dieticians, paediatricians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and other professionals.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide a clinical Occupational Therapy service for school-aged children who have special educational needs (SEN) related to neurodiversity, learningdisability, physical disability, sensory processing needs and social and emotional behaviour difficulties.
They will be responsible for managing and prioritising a defined caseload, independently accessing planned supervision to support the process The post holderwill have opportunities to develop both assessment and intervention skills and work with the teams across special schools in Islington to develop a wide range of skills as well as work towardsmeeting their NQP goals and competencies. They will have access to regular clinical supervision from a senior therapist and management support from the team lead.
With the support of more experienced colleagues, the postholder will provide a universal, targeted and specialist occupational therapy service which includes the advising, training and upskilling of parents, carers, and school staff to support children with complex needs. They will also provide direct interventions including assessment, liaison, and episodes of face-to-face therapy for individual/groups of children and young people as well as work within the MDT. The post holder will devise and provide individualised care plans that are evaluated through outcome measures.
About us
We have an excellent reputation for being innovative, responsive and flexible to the changing clinical needs of the local population. We are treating more patients than ever before and are dedicated to improving services to deliver the best for our patients.Our missionHelping local people live longer, healthier lives.
Our visionProvide safe, personal, co-ordinated care for the community we serve.Our goalsWe have developed six key strategic goals to make sure we continue to support people to live longer, healthier lives.
- To secure the best possible health and wellbeing for all our community
- To integrate and coordinate care in person-centred teams
- To deliver consistent, high quality, safe services
- To support our patients and users in being active partners in their care
- To be recognised as a leader in the fields of medical and multi-professional education, and population-based clinical research
- To innovate and continuously improve the quality of our services to deliver the best outcomes for our local population
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To able to select and apply OT assessments (standardised and non-standardised) for a designated case load, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits, and enabling the child in the areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure.
- To set and maintain high standards of clinical practice, which is evidence based where possible, using standardised assessment and outcome measures, where appropriate. children and young people with SEN, seeking support and supervision from clinical supervisor as appropriate.
- To develop knowledge in special educational needs including learning disability, autism, sensory and physical disabilities, underpinned by current evidence based practice and outcome measures.
- Demonstrate clinical knowledge in the areas of Developmental Co-ordination Disorders and sensory processing disorders as well as other conditions common within the Bridge School caseload such as Specific Learning Difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder and neurological conditions such as Cerebral Palsy and Hemiplegia.
- Knowledge of moving and Handling legislation and knowledge of current moving and handling best practice and associated equipment, with application to risk assessments.
- To make appropriate clinical decisions on evidence from assessment of complex cases, seeking advice as appropriate.
- To develop clear care plans based on best practice.
- To demonstrate clinical effectiveness reflecting on evidence-based practice and outcome measures.
- To communicate complex condition related information to carers, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions, demonstrating empathy and ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist.
- To work closely with children/young people carers, MDT and families, in order to agree plan of management.
- To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible, and seek guidance from clinical supervisor or team lead as required.
- To form productive relationships with others who may be under stress and/or have challenging communication difficulties.
- To demonstrate excellent communication skills.
- To demonstrate skills in motivating clients and /or parents/carers to engage in the therapeutic process.
- To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of children with special and complex needs and their carers, in particular when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of the clients difficulties and implications of the same.
- To develop and demonstrate the ability to manage children with behaviours of concern including being aware of behaviour management plans, liaising with the MDT, and seeking appropriate consultation as appropriate.
- To monitor and review the progress of children and young people against the targets set and agreed, and to modify targets as appropriate.
- To adapt practice to meet individual client circumstances.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To able to select and apply OT assessments (standardised and non-standardised) for a designated case load, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits, and enabling the child in the areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure.
- To set and maintain high standards of clinical practice, which is evidence based where possible, using standardised assessment and outcome measures, where appropriate. children and young people with SEN, seeking support and supervision from clinical supervisor as appropriate.
- To develop knowledge in special educational needs including learning disability, autism, sensory and physical disabilities, underpinned by current evidence based practice and outcome measures.
- Demonstrate clinical knowledge in the areas of Developmental Co-ordination Disorders and sensory processing disorders as well as other conditions common within the Bridge School caseload such as Specific Learning Difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder and neurological conditions such as Cerebral Palsy and Hemiplegia.
- Knowledge of moving and Handling legislation and knowledge of current moving and handling best practice and associated equipment, with application to risk assessments.
- To make appropriate clinical decisions on evidence from assessment of complex cases, seeking advice as appropriate.
- To develop clear care plans based on best practice.
- To demonstrate clinical effectiveness reflecting on evidence-based practice and outcome measures.
- To communicate complex condition related information to carers, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions, demonstrating empathy and ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist.
- To work closely with children/young people carers, MDT and families, in order to agree plan of management.
- To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible, and seek guidance from clinical supervisor or team lead as required.
- To form productive relationships with others who may be under stress and/or have challenging communication difficulties.
- To demonstrate excellent communication skills.
- To demonstrate skills in motivating clients and /or parents/carers to engage in the therapeutic process.
- To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of children with special and complex needs and their carers, in particular when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of the clients difficulties and implications of the same.
- To develop and demonstrate the ability to manage children with behaviours of concern including being aware of behaviour management plans, liaising with the MDT, and seeking appropriate consultation as appropriate.
- To monitor and review the progress of children and young people against the targets set and agreed, and to modify targets as appropriate.
- To adapt practice to meet individual client circumstances.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children with additional needs
Desirable
- 4.Experience of developing and delivering training to others
Knowledge
Essential
- 3.Knowledge of a broad range of clinical conditions impacting children e.g. Autism, Cerebral Palsy, genetic conditions, DCD etc.
Desirable
- 5.Specialist clinical skills e.g. early intervention, child development, sensory based strategies, postural management etc.
Skills
Essential
- 8.Evidence or understanding of the roles of the OT working within a school
Desirable
- 3.Evidence of CPD and attendance at relevant post graduate courses/training e.g. journal clubs, CO-OP, Postural management, Specialist Seating, Coaching etc.
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy and current HCPC Registration
- Member of Royal College of Occupational Therapists and specialist section Children, Young People and Families
- Evidence of CPD and attendance at relevant post graduate courses/training e.g. journal clubs, CO-OP, Postural management, Specialist Seating, Coaching etc.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children with additional needs
Desirable
- 4.Experience of developing and delivering training to others
Knowledge
Essential
- 3.Knowledge of a broad range of clinical conditions impacting children e.g. Autism, Cerebral Palsy, genetic conditions, DCD etc.
Desirable
- 5.Specialist clinical skills e.g. early intervention, child development, sensory based strategies, postural management etc.
Skills
Essential
- 8.Evidence or understanding of the roles of the OT working within a school
Desirable
- 3.Evidence of CPD and attendance at relevant post graduate courses/training e.g. journal clubs, CO-OP, Postural management, Specialist Seating, Coaching etc.
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy and current HCPC Registration
- Member of Royal College of Occupational Therapists and specialist section Children, Young People and Families
- Evidence of CPD and attendance at relevant post graduate courses/training e.g. journal clubs, CO-OP, Postural management, Specialist Seating, Coaching etc.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
