Band 7 Occupational Therapist

We are seeking two highly motivated, dynamic and forward thinking Occupational Therapists to join our newly formed Experts at Hand (EaH) team. The successful applicants will provide highly specialist Occupational Therapy expertise within the Experts at Hand Programme, working collaboratively in a consultative capacity with schools, families and partner agencies to build capacity, promote inclusion and improve participation outcomes for children and young people.

The post holders will work together with an OT assistant within the Experts at Hand team, delivering support at a Universal, Targeted and Targeted Plus level to empower educational settings through advice, training, coaching and system-wide development activities. The role will support workforce development, service improvement and strategic inclusion priorities across the borough while ensuring Occupational Therapy practice is evidence-based, outcome-focused and aligned with SEND reforms and inclusive practice principles.

The post holders will also be responsible for evaluating activities and outcomes, as well as reporting on them.

Job Responsibilities:

• Clinical:
• Develop an effective and efficient high-quality Occupational Therapy universal service for schools within the Experts at Hand team.
• Demonstrate highly specialist knowledge and skills in supporting children and young people with complex developmental needs.
• Demonstrate knowledge of implementing a variety of evidence-based treatment approaches.
• Observation of children and young people within educational settings to identify barriers to participation, learning and engagement.
• Collaborative problem-solving with school staff to support attainment of functional and educational outcomes.
• Environmental review and provision of advice regarding adaptations and reasonable adjustments.
• Guidance on strategies that promote participation, independence, engagement and inclusion within school activities and routines.
• Support for educational staff in implementing agreed strategies and interventions.
• Modelling of practical approaches and solutions within classroom and wider school environments.
• Working in partnership with families, schools and other professionals to support a coordinated approach to inclusion.
• Contributing to early intervention and prevention activities to reduce escalation of needs.

• Workforce Development:
• Contribute to the development of knowledge, confidence and skills within the education workforce.
• Designing and delivering bespoke training sessions for educational staff, parent/carers and partner organisations.
• Facilitating co-produced workshops focused on occupational performance, participation and inclusion.
• Providing drop-in consultation sessions to support staff with advice and problem-solving.
• Supporting and facilitating communities of practice across educational settings.
• Developing practical resources, guidance materials and toolkits to support inclusive practice.
• Promoting evidence-based occupational therapy approaches within educational environments.
• Supporting staff to develop sustainable solutions that enhance children's participation and independence.
• Evaluating training and development activities to inform future service improvements.

• System Development:
• Contribute to strategic and system-wide developments that promote inclusion and positive outcomes for children and young people.
• Identifying emerging themes, trends and unmet needs through engagement with schools and stakeholders.
• Collaborating with Inclusion Advisers and other Experts at Hand partners to achieve shared outcomes.
• Sharing learning, innovation and examples of effective practice across educational settings and partner agencies.
• Contributing to service evaluation, quality improvement, audit and service development initiatives.
• Supporting the development of policies, pathways and guidance that promote inclusive practice.
• Using and reporting outcome data and feedback to inform service planning and future priorities.
• Representing Occupational Therapy within multi-agency forums, networks and working groups.
• Supporting the implementation of local and national SEND and inclusion agendas.

Benefits:

• Excellent training opportunities with a strong emphasis on individual performance appraisal and supervision.
• External training is also fully supported and encouraged.
• Flexible working hours and part-time working options available.