Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

Job Overview

Tripod Partners are currently recruiting for an experienced Adult Social Services Occupational Therapist to join Reading Borough Council's Advice and Wellbeing Hub OT Pathway. This is an ongoing locum opportunity focused on helping to reduce the Occupational Therapy waiting list while supporting residents to maintain their independence, health and wellbeing.

The Advice and Wellbeing Hub is a front-door service providing support and intervention for up to six weeks, with the aim of reducing risk and preventing or delaying the need for formal care and support. The successful Occupational Therapist will undertake assessments in people's homes and provide practical, outcome-focused interventions that help individuals achieve the goals that matter to them.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of service users requiring Occupational Therapy assessments and support to maintain their health, wellbeing and independence.
• Undertake person-centred Occupational Therapy assessments within people's homes.
• Use the PEOP (Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance) Model of Practice to inform assessment and intervention.
• Apply relevant duties and principles under the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019 and Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended 2007).
• Assess moving and handling needs and provide appropriate recommendations to promote safe and independent living.
• Assess for and make recommendations regarding major adaptations.
• Provide appropriate equipment, advice and interventions to maximise independence.
• Apply knowledge of physical, mental, sensory, cognitive, psychological and social performance to develop occupation-focused interventions.
• Work using strength-based and outcome-focused principles to support a diverse community.
• Provide residents with accurate information, advice and signposting to local preventative services.
• Support residents to build resilience and achieve outcomes that are important to them.
• Safeguard adults and carers at risk of harm in accordance with safeguarding policies, procedures and Making Safeguarding Personal principles.
• Work collaboratively with residents, carers, colleagues and relevant partner agencies.

About You

We are looking for an experienced Adult Social Services Occupational Therapist with strong community-based assessment skills. You will be confident visiting people in their own homes and assessing functional needs, risks and opportunities to promote independence.

You will have a strong understanding of moving and handling, major adaptations and practical interventions, alongside the ability to apply professional reasoning within a strength-based and person-centred approach.

Due to the community nature of the role, the successful candidate must be within a commutable distance of Reading and able to undertake home visits and attend meetings at the Civic Offices when required.

Requirements

• Qualified Occupational Therapist with relevant professional registration.
• Previous experience working as an Occupational Therapist within Adult Social Services.
• Strong experience undertaking Occupational Therapy assessments in people's homes.
• Experience and expertise in moving and handling assessments.
• Experience assessing and recommending major adaptations.
• Experience providing interventions and recommendations designed to maximise independence.
• Understanding of strength-based and outcome-focused practice.
• Knowledge of the PEOP Model of Practice is desirable.
• Understanding of the Care Act 2014 and relevant Mental Capacity and Mental Health legislation.
• Understanding and experience of adult safeguarding and Making Safeguarding Personal principles.
• Excellent assessment, communication, professional reasoning and report-writing skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a front-door, preventative service.
• Must be within a commutable distance of Reading due to home visits and attendance at the Civic Offices.

Contract & Salary

• Job Title: Occupational Therapist
• Location: Reading Borough Council
• Area: Berkshire Social Services
• Salary: £38 per hour
• Job Type: Locum
• Contract Length: Ongoing
• Service: Advice and Wellbeing Hub OT Pathway
• Reference Code: U.XMS00B7413 / 1.007010. B21207

How to Apply

If you are an experienced Adult Social Services Occupational Therapist with strong community assessment, moving and handling and major adaptations experience, this is an excellent opportunity to support residents across Reading while contributing to a preventative, strengths-based service.

Apply using the form on the page.