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Essex County Council

Occupational Therapist in Housing

The closing date is 08 June 2025

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Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for a housing Occupational Therapist with experience in major adaptations to develop and support local district and borough councils. As an OT you will be working alongside Environmental Health and Housing Officers within in the quadrants to facilitate the safe and early discharge of people from hospital, residential/nursing placements and hospices.

You will join a knowledgeable and supportive team, who are proud of creating an inclusive environment where we build each other up. And, with access to a range of training and development opportunities to empower you through our award-winning Essex Social Care Academy along with flexible working options, you can make your career work for you.

Main duties of the job

This post will provide the opportunity to work with adults and children with life-limiting conditions and life-altering injuries to prevent formal care placements where their home environment is not currently suited to their assessed needs.

This work is essential to ensure discharges are not delayed because of the need for adaptations and issues related to housing needs.

About us

We'll support you to be your best with...

  • Training and development to empower you from our award-winning Essex Social Care Academy.
  • With us you can make your career work for you with flexible working options
  • With us you can get the support you need with employee wellbeing and counselling
  • Lease Car scheme
  • Up to £8000 for relocation*
  • With us you can have peace of mind with life assurance of three times annual salary
  • Payment of professional fees for approved professions
  • Local Government Pension Scheme
  • Volunteering leave
  • 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising with service
  • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - access to free and confidential information, support, and guidance from a team of highly qualified professionals.
  • Employee Networks communities to support you, connect you and help influence change at ECC

Details

Date posted

22 May 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£37,185 to £50,081 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

24 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working, Compressed hours

Reference number

K0004-19110

Job locations

County Hall

Market Road

Chelmsford

Essex

CM1 1QH


Job description

Job responsibilities

This role will involve...

  • Completing holistic assessments that include all housing factors impacting on the individual and their household
  • Working alongside Health colleagues to assist with processing referrals to achieve safe, early discharge and prevent delays
  • Referring to universal services where appropriate and liaising with other colleagues, including Family Operations, to meet the needs of the individual
  • Seeking to resolve needs associated with specific impairments by the provision of equipment, support and signposting to alternative services where appropriate
  • Making recommendations based on assessed need, for the provision of certain property types, adaptations and equipment, taking account of both Health and Housing policy and legislation
  • Progressing and supporting recommendations where specialist input is required
  • Working alongside Housing Officers to support Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) funded recommendations
  • Ensuring referrals are progressed effectively so that adaptations are completed efficiently
  • Being creative in developing the services provided by Housing by working with local and district councils to provide the best possible solutions for those adults and children who have the greatest need thereby reducing the length of time spent in hospital, hospice of residential/ nursing care
  • Managing cases that have been assessed by a Health or Social Care OT to support the Housing Officer

About You

To apply, you'll need a degree or diploma in Occupational Therapy, or equivalent qualification, with current Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration.

You'll bring experience of Occupational Therapy and major adaptations, modelling good practice and providing advice and guidance in complex situations. As, as a subject matter expert in relevant professional practice, you should have a comprehensive understanding of current legislation, regulations and guidance. Also, the ability to develop strong relationships with partner agencies and the local community to provide a supportive framework for vulnerable adults. The post holder must be confident in person-centred and positive risk-taking approaches.

This role involves travelling throughout Essex. A driving licence and car - or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means - is essential.

Job description

Job responsibilities

This role will involve...

  • Completing holistic assessments that include all housing factors impacting on the individual and their household
  • Working alongside Health colleagues to assist with processing referrals to achieve safe, early discharge and prevent delays
  • Referring to universal services where appropriate and liaising with other colleagues, including Family Operations, to meet the needs of the individual
  • Seeking to resolve needs associated with specific impairments by the provision of equipment, support and signposting to alternative services where appropriate
  • Making recommendations based on assessed need, for the provision of certain property types, adaptations and equipment, taking account of both Health and Housing policy and legislation
  • Progressing and supporting recommendations where specialist input is required
  • Working alongside Housing Officers to support Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) funded recommendations
  • Ensuring referrals are progressed effectively so that adaptations are completed efficiently
  • Being creative in developing the services provided by Housing by working with local and district councils to provide the best possible solutions for those adults and children who have the greatest need thereby reducing the length of time spent in hospital, hospice of residential/ nursing care
  • Managing cases that have been assessed by a Health or Social Care OT to support the Housing Officer

About You

To apply, you'll need a degree or diploma in Occupational Therapy, or equivalent qualification, with current Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration.

You'll bring experience of Occupational Therapy and major adaptations, modelling good practice and providing advice and guidance in complex situations. As, as a subject matter expert in relevant professional practice, you should have a comprehensive understanding of current legislation, regulations and guidance. Also, the ability to develop strong relationships with partner agencies and the local community to provide a supportive framework for vulnerable adults. The post holder must be confident in person-centred and positive risk-taking approaches.

This role involves travelling throughout Essex. A driving licence and car - or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means - is essential.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Qualified Occupational Therapist
  • Current HCPC registration
  • Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Qualified Occupational Therapist
  • Current HCPC registration
  • Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle

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

Essex County Council

Address

County Hall

Market Road

Chelmsford

Essex

CM1 1QH


Employer's website

https://www.workingforessex.com/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Essex County Council

Address

County Hall

Market Road

Chelmsford

Essex

CM1 1QH


Employer's website

https://www.workingforessex.com/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Specialist Recruitment Consultant

Abbie Mollison

Abbie.Mollison@essex.gov.uk

Details

Date posted

22 May 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£37,185 to £50,081 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

24 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working, Compressed hours

Reference number

K0004-19110

Job locations

County Hall

Market Road

Chelmsford

Essex

CM1 1QH


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