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Sunderland City Council

Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 27 July 2025

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Job summary

Are you an innovative and dynamic Occupational Therapist who thrives in an environment where you can make a real difference, and who has a special interest in community equipment?

If so we may have the exact opportunity you are looking for.

We have an exciting opportunity for you to work alongside the Business Manager and leadership team in our community equipment service, to support the delivery of a safe, effective and high quality service. We want you to provide expert clinical advice and practical support to other therapists, to inform service delivery and ensure best value and efficient use of resources. We want you to bring your unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to our service to help drive quality improvement, training and learning throughout the Community Equipment Service workforce and to partners in the wider prescribing community in respect of community equipment.

Main duties of the job

Work alongside the Business Manager and leadership team in Sunderland Care and Support to deliver an effective, safe, high quality Community Equipment Service.

Provides expert clinical advice and practical support to inform service delivery and ensure best value and efficient use of resources.

About us

Sunderland is a fantastic, forward-looking, ambitious city undergoing significant transformation and economic regeneration. From the seafront and the city centre, to building locations of national strategic significance, we are creating the very best conditions for our 280,000 residents who live here and those who come to the city to work.

We provide a huge variety of services across the city, currently employing approximately 2,500 people in many roles ranging from gardeners to building maintenance technicians, ICT experts to social workers and many more. At all levels we work together to achieve real change across the city.Sunderland is one of the few cities in the UK to be situated on the coast, whilst benefitting from easy access to the countryside, a short drive from two international airports, direct rail access to London and less than a twenty-minute drive from Durham and Newcastle.We have a growing cultural scene. Sunderland Empire theatre attracts high-profile West End productions, and the Fire Station is Sunderlands premier live music and performance venue. The National Glass Centre, Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens and Northern Gallery of Contemporary Art are all close to the city centre.Sunderland is a great place to work. Wherever youre coming from, youll discover a place and people that will make you feel at home.

Details

Date posted

09 July 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£46,731 to £50,788 a year plus essential car user allowance where applicable

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

F0001-25-0000-283506

Job locations

Independent Living Centre

Claymere Road

Leechmere Industrial Estate

Sunderland

SR2 9TS


Job description

Job responsibilities

Responsible for staff/equipment

The postholder will be responsible for equipment used as part of their therapy role as well as I.T equipment.

The postholder will be responsible for the development of skills and knowledge relating to equipment for Equipment Officers.

Main purpose of job

Work alongside the Business Manager and leadership team in Sunderland Care and Support to deliver an effective, safe, high quality Community Equipment Service.

Provides expert clinical advice and practical support to inform service delivery and ensure best value and efficient use of resources.

Key responsibilities

Provides clinical input to the selection of equipment and underpinning governance frameworks for the service.

Provides training across the Community Equipment Service workforce and wider prescribing community in respect of community equipment.

Supports the delivery of a range of audit processes to ensure best practise in service delivery.

Key tasks

Assists the Business Manager in the selection of equipment provided by the service, actively engaging in procurement processes and contract management arrangements.

Ensures the Business Manager/ServiceManagersarekept aware of trends, quality, and availability of equipment.

Analyses data and supports in the production of reports that evidence activity and performance in the service.

Promotes coproduction and engagement with prescribers and other key partners in the delivery of the service, including responsibility for the delivery of a regular consultation forum for prescribers.

Offersprofessional clinical advice to colleagues within the service.

Supports the service to review policy and procedure relating to service provision.

Provides expert advice on cases for other therapists including the provision of new, re-issue and bespoke assistive equipment, complex manual handling equipment and adaptations.

Provides training and development programmes for Equipment Officers and other key roles within the service.

Arranges training and development opportunities for the prescribing community.

Contributes to projects on behalf of the Business Manager/Principal Occupational Therapist.

Supportswith service developmentsandpromotion of theCommunity EquipmentService.

Delivers a programme of audit activity in respect of prescribing activity to assure the quality of service delivery.

To engage in the investigation and review of incidents and accidents involving community equipment, following up with the delivery of actions to ensure patient and customer safety.

Maintains own Continuous Professional Development through a variety of learning methods.

Participates in supervision and appraisal with line manager.

Provides a supervisory role as required to identified individuals at the discretion of the Business Manager/Principal Occupational Therapist.

Maintains individual professional registration with the Health & Care Professions Council.

Other duties/specific policies e.g. DBS

The post holder must carry out their duties with full regard to the Councils Equal Opportunities Policy, Code of Conduct and all other Council Policies.

The post holder must comply with the Councils Health and safety rules and regulations and with Health and safety legislation.

The post holder must act in compliance with data protection principles in respecting the privacy of personal information held by the Council.

The post holder must comply with the principles of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relation to the management of Council records and information.

To comply with the principles and requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR in relation to the management of Council records and information and respect the privacy of personal information held by the Council.

The post holder must comply with the Councils COVID-19 vaccination policy and guidance (where applicable).

Job description

Job responsibilities

Responsible for staff/equipment

The postholder will be responsible for equipment used as part of their therapy role as well as I.T equipment.

The postholder will be responsible for the development of skills and knowledge relating to equipment for Equipment Officers.

Main purpose of job

Work alongside the Business Manager and leadership team in Sunderland Care and Support to deliver an effective, safe, high quality Community Equipment Service.

Provides expert clinical advice and practical support to inform service delivery and ensure best value and efficient use of resources.

Key responsibilities

Provides clinical input to the selection of equipment and underpinning governance frameworks for the service.

Provides training across the Community Equipment Service workforce and wider prescribing community in respect of community equipment.

Supports the delivery of a range of audit processes to ensure best practise in service delivery.

Key tasks

Assists the Business Manager in the selection of equipment provided by the service, actively engaging in procurement processes and contract management arrangements.

Ensures the Business Manager/ServiceManagersarekept aware of trends, quality, and availability of equipment.

Analyses data and supports in the production of reports that evidence activity and performance in the service.

Promotes coproduction and engagement with prescribers and other key partners in the delivery of the service, including responsibility for the delivery of a regular consultation forum for prescribers.

Offersprofessional clinical advice to colleagues within the service.

Supports the service to review policy and procedure relating to service provision.

Provides expert advice on cases for other therapists including the provision of new, re-issue and bespoke assistive equipment, complex manual handling equipment and adaptations.

Provides training and development programmes for Equipment Officers and other key roles within the service.

Arranges training and development opportunities for the prescribing community.

Contributes to projects on behalf of the Business Manager/Principal Occupational Therapist.

Supportswith service developmentsandpromotion of theCommunity EquipmentService.

Delivers a programme of audit activity in respect of prescribing activity to assure the quality of service delivery.

To engage in the investigation and review of incidents and accidents involving community equipment, following up with the delivery of actions to ensure patient and customer safety.

Maintains own Continuous Professional Development through a variety of learning methods.

Participates in supervision and appraisal with line manager.

Provides a supervisory role as required to identified individuals at the discretion of the Business Manager/Principal Occupational Therapist.

Maintains individual professional registration with the Health & Care Professions Council.

Other duties/specific policies e.g. DBS

The post holder must carry out their duties with full regard to the Councils Equal Opportunities Policy, Code of Conduct and all other Council Policies.

The post holder must comply with the Councils Health and safety rules and regulations and with Health and safety legislation.

The post holder must act in compliance with data protection principles in respecting the privacy of personal information held by the Council.

The post holder must comply with the principles of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relation to the management of Council records and information.

To comply with the principles and requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR in relation to the management of Council records and information and respect the privacy of personal information held by the Council.

The post holder must comply with the Councils COVID-19 vaccination policy and guidance (where applicable).

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience of working as an Occupational Therapist in health or social care.
  • Significant experience of working with vulnerable people
  • Significant experience in the provision of assistive equipment.
  • Experience of working in an environment which requires effective communication & listening skills, including report writing.

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc Hons or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
  • Current Health and Care Professions Council Registration

Skills, Knowledge, Ability

Essential

  • An ability to provide advanced safe and effective Occupational Therapy assessments.
  • An ability to work collaboratively and develop effective relationships with individuals and groups.
  • Ability to critically analyse information
  • An ability to provide support & training to colleagues working in Community Equipment Services and other prescribers of equipment
  • The ability to promote partnership working with multiple agencies.
  • Ability to write clear, effective case notes and reports in line with service standards
  • Ability to be flexible, prioritise workload and adjust plans according to competing demands
  • Ability to participate in projects as delegated by the Principal Occupational Therapist

Work Related Circumstances/ Values of the Council

Essential

  • Commitment to Equal Opportunities
  • Compliance with health and safety rules, regulations, and legislation
  • Ability to meet the travel requirements of the role
  • Ability to comply with the Councils values of:
  • We innovate
  • We enable
  • We respect
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience of working as an Occupational Therapist in health or social care.
  • Significant experience of working with vulnerable people
  • Significant experience in the provision of assistive equipment.
  • Experience of working in an environment which requires effective communication & listening skills, including report writing.

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc Hons or Diploma in Occupational Therapy
  • Current Health and Care Professions Council Registration

Skills, Knowledge, Ability

Essential

  • An ability to provide advanced safe and effective Occupational Therapy assessments.
  • An ability to work collaboratively and develop effective relationships with individuals and groups.
  • Ability to critically analyse information
  • An ability to provide support & training to colleagues working in Community Equipment Services and other prescribers of equipment
  • The ability to promote partnership working with multiple agencies.
  • Ability to write clear, effective case notes and reports in line with service standards
  • Ability to be flexible, prioritise workload and adjust plans according to competing demands
  • Ability to participate in projects as delegated by the Principal Occupational Therapist

Work Related Circumstances/ Values of the Council

Essential

  • Commitment to Equal Opportunities
  • Compliance with health and safety rules, regulations, and legislation
  • Ability to meet the travel requirements of the role
  • Ability to comply with the Councils values of:
  • We innovate
  • We enable
  • We respect

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.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Sunderland City Council

Address

Independent Living Centre

Claymere Road

Leechmere Industrial Estate

Sunderland

SR2 9TS


Employer's website

https://www.sunderland.gov.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Sunderland City Council

Address

Independent Living Centre

Claymere Road

Leechmere Industrial Estate

Sunderland

SR2 9TS


Employer's website

https://www.sunderland.gov.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Principal Occupational Therapist

Angela Porritt

angela.porritt@sunderland.gov.uk

07500551777

Details

Date posted

09 July 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£46,731 to £50,788 a year plus essential car user allowance where applicable

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

F0001-25-0000-283506

Job locations

Independent Living Centre

Claymere Road

Leechmere Industrial Estate

Sunderland

SR2 9TS


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Sunderland City Council's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)