Job summary

With us, you can achieve more - for yourself as well as those you work to support.

We'll give you the tools and resources you need to enable vulnerable adults to live healthily and independently. You will play a key role in the development of Occupational Therapy as an integral part of our Adult Social Care teams across West Essex along with Social Care colleagues.

About us

Essex County Council Adult Social Care, through effective practice, is moving towards a transformational shift from a focus on long-term care support, to a model with four key principles: - prevention; early intervention; enablement and safeguarding.

This will enable people, their families and carers to access information and tools, live healthily and independently and for our function an opportunity to respond pro-actively to growing service demand in a sustainable way, within the financial constraints of the Council.

About you

We are looking for a Senior Occupational Therapist who is passionate about delivering expert and effective assessments and therapeutic interventions which builds resilience for vulnerable adults., utilising a prevention and enablement approach. Managing the more complex cases, quality assuring interventions to ensure practice standards, safeguarding and balancing financial obligations. With the ability to demonstrate excellent practice and model this to other staff, providing mentoring and supervision. A proven track record of working closely with the community is essential.

Service/Functional Accountabilities

Senior Occupational Therapists hold a complex caseload and provide expert advice and guidance, support and professional consultation for social care staff and partners, contributing to the development of the four key principles.

Accountable for assessment and identification of appropriate intervention and systems of support, facilitating service user choice which empowers people and enables them to live healthily and independently.

Accountable for working within the statutory legal framework, policy and guidance within the Care Act 2014 and ensuring vulnerable people are safeguarded.

Working collaboratively with statutory and non-statutory/voluntary agencies ensuring a joined-up approach in supporting the service user and carer.

Responsible for providing specifications which evaluate the safe use of equipment and adaptations and comply with relevant legislation, policy and guidelines on safe working practices, thereby reducing risks.

Accountable for developing assessment and support plans.

Accountable for conducting assessments and plan responses to safeguard vulnerable adults including interventions as required.

Builds strong effective working relationships across the Council, with partners and members of voluntary agencies to help people age well.

Delivers a high level of expertise in particular areas of practice and leads on those areas, contributing to the development of the four key principles.

Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy

• Registered with HCPC

• Evidence of continuing professional development and demonstrable capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards eg professional capability frameworks, knowledge and skills statement.

• Significant experience in a social care setting, demonstrating a comprehensive and up to date understanding of all relevant legislation, regulation and guidance.

• Particular experience in the areas of specialist equipment, major adaptations, risk assessment and moving and handling.

• Experience of mentoring and supervising both newly qualified and experienced staff and being a subject matter expert in professional practice.

• Experience screening, triaging, and managing demands of incoming referrals to the service and managing allocations.

• Experience of chairing meetings involving clients, family members and/or carers and other multi-agency professionals.

• Developing strong relationships with partners, other agencies and the local community to achieve joint objectives and offer a supportive framework for vulnerable adults.

• Understanding of the financial implications of commissioned care and resources.

• Proven track record of clear decision making in order to highlight and limit the potential risks associated with intervention.

This role involves travelling around Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings - sometimes in an emergency. A driving licence and car - or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means - is essential.

Our Social Care teams in Essex are currently working a rota pattern across 6 days a week 8am - 6.30pm which includes 1 Saturday in 6, in response to the demands of Covid-19, however we are able to consider flexibility around working patterns according to individual's particular needs.

What we offer in return

We'll support you to be to your best, with the resources, training and development to empower you. You can add to your expertise, with a range of opportunities offered by our award-winning Essex Social Care Academy. And, with flexible working options and other lifestyle benefits, we'll enable you to make the most of your life outside work, too.

Whatever you want to achieve in your social care career, you can do it here.

Apply now at WorkingForEssex.com

If you have any questions about the role, or working with us, please contact our Resourcing Team on 0333 013 5888.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people, as diversity is key to our success.