Job summary
Location: FurnessContract Type: PermanentHours: 37 hours per week, however we would welcome applications from candidates who would like to consider reduced hours or job share opportunities for this position.
Please note this role allows for agile working across our offices, as well as a combination of office-based and work from home opportunities.
We are looking for a dedicated Senior Occupational Therapist to join our team and help deliver strengths-based assessments and person-centered support to individuals with care and support needs in Westmorland and Furness. In this role, you will work collaboratively with stakeholders to promote independence and achieve better outcomes for the people we support. You will also play a key role in leading, organising, and coordinating team activities, deputising for the Team Manager as needed.
Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site.Our benefits | Careers
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will manage a small caseload, handling complex assessments, including moving and handling, seating, and major adaptations. You will provide professional supervision to colleagues, contribute to service development, and ensure best practice in line with HCPC and Royal College of Occupational Therapy standards. If you are passionate about making a difference and advancing professional practice, we would love to hear from you!
About us
Westmorland and Furness Council is proud to serve one of the most beautiful regions in the UK. The scenic views are matched by the quality of life, the diversity of its communities and the friendliness of its people.
Our employees are at the heart of delivering our services to these communities. We value the contribution of our staff and are committed to leading and empowering colleagues to be innovative, engaged and customer focused. This supports our commitment to ensure Westmorland and Furness is agreat place to live, work and thrive.
Closing date: 13th April 2025
Please note relocation assistance will apply for this role, providing the relevant criteria is met.
DBS
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and requires an enhanced DBS check with an Adults Barred List check.
Please note this role involves working in regulated activity with adults. It is an offence for people who are barred from working in regulated activity to apply for roles that require them to work unsupervised with adults.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The successful candidate will manage a small caseload, handling complex assessments, including moving and handling, seating, and major adaptations. You will provide professional supervision to colleagues, contribute to service development, and ensure best practice in line with HCPC and Royal College of Occupational Therapy standards.
You will bring in-depth knowledge of adult services, national policies, and relevant legislation, along with experience in independent assessments, caseload management, and delivering person-centred support. Strong leadership skills are essential, as you will be expected to inspire, mentor, and empower others while maintaining a balanced approach to risk management. If you have a passion for improving lives, a strong theoretical foundation, and the ability to drive positive outcomes, we would love to hear from you!
Job description
Job responsibilities
The successful candidate will manage a small caseload, handling complex assessments, including moving and handling, seating, and major adaptations. You will provide professional supervision to colleagues, contribute to service development, and ensure best practice in line with HCPC and Royal College of Occupational Therapy standards.
You will bring in-depth knowledge of adult services, national policies, and relevant legislation, along with experience in independent assessments, caseload management, and delivering person-centred support. Strong leadership skills are essential, as you will be expected to inspire, mentor, and empower others while maintaining a balanced approach to risk management. If you have a passion for improving lives, a strong theoretical foundation, and the ability to drive positive outcomes, we would love to hear from you!
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Accredited Occupational Therapy Degree or equivalent
- Registration with appropriate professional body
- Evidence of ongoing professional development/CPD within the last 2 years.
- Evidence of successful completion of ASYE or for those who qualified pre September 2012 or where previous employer did not provide ASYE opportunities the ability to demonstrate significate experience in equivalent post qualification level.
Desirable
- Ability to travel extensively throughout the county.
- Some longer journeys for staff visiting people placed out of county.
- Flexible working and home visits required.
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge and application of departmental and council objectives and initiatives
- In depth knowledge and understanding of own professional area of practice and issues within Adults Services
- Evidence of extended relevant working experience including independent assessment and delivery of support
- Understanding and application of theoretical approaches, practices & procedures relevant to customers, carers, professional colleagues
- Knowledge of National Policies and legislation relevant to area of work.
- Experience of case-load management and planning/implementation of interventions for allocated cases
- Having an awareness and understanding of risk with the ability to assess, manage, escalate appropriately and balance with safety
- Ability to lead, motivate, inspire and empower others, by example.
- Ability to influence people to change and to make difficult decisions
- Change management within a positive framework, timescales and budget
Desirable
- Demonstrate significant experience of leadership skills
- Proven ability to demonstrate sound judgement and autonomy of decision making in highly unpredictable situations.
- Excellent interpersonal skills including negotiating, conciliating, people management, written and verbal communication and motivational skills
- Ability to create innovative, strengths-based solutions with individuals and their carers
- Ability to create and maintain a culture that enables and empowers staff and individuals alike
- The ability to plan interventions to be implemented for customers individually
- Ability to plan and prioritise casework for self and others.
- Good time management/punctuality and the ability to work to deadlines within the allocated resources
- Ability to network effectively with multi-disciplinary organisations
- Demonstrable information technology skills/competencies.
- Ability to identify and challenge inappropriate practice
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Accredited Occupational Therapy Degree or equivalent
- Registration with appropriate professional body
- Evidence of ongoing professional development/CPD within the last 2 years.
- Evidence of successful completion of ASYE or for those who qualified pre September 2012 or where previous employer did not provide ASYE opportunities the ability to demonstrate significate experience in equivalent post qualification level.
Desirable
- Ability to travel extensively throughout the county.
- Some longer journeys for staff visiting people placed out of county.
- Flexible working and home visits required.
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge and application of departmental and council objectives and initiatives
- In depth knowledge and understanding of own professional area of practice and issues within Adults Services
- Evidence of extended relevant working experience including independent assessment and delivery of support
- Understanding and application of theoretical approaches, practices & procedures relevant to customers, carers, professional colleagues
- Knowledge of National Policies and legislation relevant to area of work.
- Experience of case-load management and planning/implementation of interventions for allocated cases
- Having an awareness and understanding of risk with the ability to assess, manage, escalate appropriately and balance with safety
- Ability to lead, motivate, inspire and empower others, by example.
- Ability to influence people to change and to make difficult decisions
- Change management within a positive framework, timescales and budget
Desirable
- Demonstrate significant experience of leadership skills
- Proven ability to demonstrate sound judgement and autonomy of decision making in highly unpredictable situations.
- Excellent interpersonal skills including negotiating, conciliating, people management, written and verbal communication and motivational skills
- Ability to create innovative, strengths-based solutions with individuals and their carers
- Ability to create and maintain a culture that enables and empowers staff and individuals alike
- The ability to plan interventions to be implemented for customers individually
- Ability to plan and prioritise casework for self and others.
- Good time management/punctuality and the ability to work to deadlines within the allocated resources
- Ability to network effectively with multi-disciplinary organisations
- Demonstrable information technology skills/competencies.
- Ability to identify and challenge inappropriate practice
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).
