Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Occupational Therapist to join the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) service at Bracknell Forest Council. This role focuses on housing adaptations and the progression of Disabled Facilities Grants, supporting residents to live independently and safely in their homes.
At Bracknell Forest, we pride ourselves on being a council which is stable and well-managed where our employees can thrive in a supportive environment.
Main duties of the job
You will work closely with the DFG team, Adult Social Care colleagues, housing partners, contractors and Housing Associations. Using your occupational therapy expertise, you will ensure that adaptations are person centred, meet long term needs and are reviewed upon completion to ensure the assessed outcomes have been fully met.
You will have recent, relevant experience in major housing adaptations. You should be capable of working creatively with others to develop practical solutions where the home environment affects a persons independence, function and wellbeing. This may also involve assessing and matching individuals to void properties when the current accommodation is unsuitable and cannot be reasonably adapted.
In addition to casework, you will also contribute to capacity building across teams by sharing your knowledge of major adaptations, legislation, eligibility criteria and associated processes.
About us
The Disabled Facilities Grant team is a small but busy team providing an extensive and responsive service to clients. This is a varied and interesting role ensuring projects are carried out to meet the needs of the client in the most timely, efficient and cost effective way. We support each other by working closely together to achieve the right results, and to deliver a holistic service to clients.
While the main office base is Time Square in Bracknell, this is an agile working role. Home visits and on site work will be required based on the needs of the role and service delivery.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Undertake person centred functional assessments to identify housing related needs and recommend suitable home adaptations that promote independence, reduce risk and enable individuals to live safely in their own homes.
- Assist in the development and review adaptation plans in partnership with service users and DFG colleagues, setting realistic and meaningful goals that support choice, control, and long term independence.
- Work collaboratively with a range of professionals including DFG Case Workers, Surveyors, contractors, Housing Officers, Architects, Social Workers and health colleagues to ensure the effective design and delivery of home adaptations under the Disabled Facilities Grant.
- Liaise with individuals, families and carers to ensure that proposed adaptations are necessary and appropriate to meet the clients needs.
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date electronic records using the councils case management system, ensuring that assessments, decisions and outcomes are clearly documented.
- Write clear, evidence based reports and professional recommendations to support DFG applications and specifications for adaptations.
- Attend and contribute to multidisciplinary meetings and case discussions where housing needs and adaptations form part of broader care and support planning.
- Make timely referrals and signpost individuals to relevant services, community support or other specialists, when needs fall outside the DFG scope or where additional support is beneficial.
- Support the development and continuous improvement of the DFG service through involvement in audits, service planning and evaluations, ensuring the service remains responsive and effective.
- Effectively manage a caseload, prioritising work based on risk, need and the complexity of individual circumstances, ensuring timely assessments and delivery of outcomes.
- Work in line with safeguarding procedures to identify and reduce risks of harm, liaising with relevant professionals and escalating concerns where necessary.
- To ensure all practice complies with the policies, procedures and standards of the council, as well as the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Code of Conduct and Standards of Proficiency.
- To actively participate in regular supervision, individual and team performance discussions and reflective practice sessions to improve own and team practice and performance.
- Operate within the scope of professional competence, seeking advice and support when needed, and participating in ongoing training and professional development activities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Undertake person centred functional assessments to identify housing related needs and recommend suitable home adaptations that promote independence, reduce risk and enable individuals to live safely in their own homes.
- Assist in the development and review adaptation plans in partnership with service users and DFG colleagues, setting realistic and meaningful goals that support choice, control, and long term independence.
- Work collaboratively with a range of professionals including DFG Case Workers, Surveyors, contractors, Housing Officers, Architects, Social Workers and health colleagues to ensure the effective design and delivery of home adaptations under the Disabled Facilities Grant.
- Liaise with individuals, families and carers to ensure that proposed adaptations are necessary and appropriate to meet the clients needs.
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date electronic records using the councils case management system, ensuring that assessments, decisions and outcomes are clearly documented.
- Write clear, evidence based reports and professional recommendations to support DFG applications and specifications for adaptations.
- Attend and contribute to multidisciplinary meetings and case discussions where housing needs and adaptations form part of broader care and support planning.
- Make timely referrals and signpost individuals to relevant services, community support or other specialists, when needs fall outside the DFG scope or where additional support is beneficial.
- Support the development and continuous improvement of the DFG service through involvement in audits, service planning and evaluations, ensuring the service remains responsive and effective.
- Effectively manage a caseload, prioritising work based on risk, need and the complexity of individual circumstances, ensuring timely assessments and delivery of outcomes.
- Work in line with safeguarding procedures to identify and reduce risks of harm, liaising with relevant professionals and escalating concerns where necessary.
- To ensure all practice complies with the policies, procedures and standards of the council, as well as the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Code of Conduct and Standards of Proficiency.
- To actively participate in regular supervision, individual and team performance discussions and reflective practice sessions to improve own and team practice and performance.
- Operate within the scope of professional competence, seeking advice and support when needed, and participating in ongoing training and professional development activities.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered with HCPC with a recognised Occupational Therapy qualification.
- Safeguarding practice level 1.
Desirable
- Any specific training or experience in the OT field.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered with HCPC with a recognised Occupational Therapy qualification.
- Safeguarding practice level 1.
Desirable
- Any specific training or experience in the OT field.
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).
