Job Description

Job Title:Occupational Therapist

Location:High Peak School

Reports to:Lead Occupational Therapist

Salary ScaleBand 5 £32,073 to Band 7 £49,387 Actual salary

Hours of work:Full time

Purpose of the Post

• To be a key member of a skilled clinical team, providing a high quality, evidence based and child centred therapy service.

• To hold a clinical case load and practice clinically, setting priorities and working autonomously

• To influence therapy planning and service development within an allocated area of special responsibility, in line with current research and nationally identified policy.

• To ensure that all practice is in accordance with the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.

• To work with families, carers, educators and appropriate external agencies to ensure a holistic approach to therapeutic support
• To provide training and consultancy to families, High Peak staff and, where appropriate, to staff in other Kedleston Group services.

Safeguarding children and vulnerable people is a priority for all employees

Nature of the Post

High Peak School is a specialist residential and day school for children and young people aged 7 to 19 years. Its specialist multi-disciplinary team support all of its young people living with social emotional and mental health difficulties (SEMH), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism (ASC), communication and sensory difficulties, attachment difficulties, childhood trauma and moderate learning difficulties (MLD) towards excellent outcomes in preparing for adulthood.

The attachment aware and trauma informed school supports young people who have suffered adverse childhood experiences. In its newly designed EBSNA specific provision, RAISE, the environment and teaching approaches are also tailored to ensure children who struggle to access school can thrive.

The post holder will be a member of the High Peak School, working within both its residential and day school provision. They may also be required to work with the Lead Occupational Therapist in the development of a consultancy/outreach service to a small number of other schools and residences within the Kedleston Group.

The main duties will be carried out whilst working Monday to Friday 08.30 – 16.30. This is a 52 week contract whilst working term time only you will have 6 weeks paidannual leave.

The post holder will manage their own caseload and be expected to work flexibly, providing occupational therapy services to pupils according to clinical need and in close liaison with the school’s highly specialist clinical team. They will also be expected to actively participate in multi-disciplinary meetings, staff meetings, supervision, training and annual appraisals.

All staff are expected to work in a flexible way and additional tasks that have not been covered in the job description may have to be undertaken, depending on clinical need.

As part of the Kedleston Group staff team, the post holder will be expected to participate in the life of the school and support the ethos of the Group and High Peak School. In respect of the general responsibilities as an employee, the post holder will be required to:

• Promote a positive image of the school and the Group at all times.
• Be aware of and follow the relevant policies, procedures and legislation at all times.
• Co-operate with all Kedleston Group staff in maintaining harmonious interpersonal relations.
• Perform any duties as may reasonably be required by the Kedleston Group or as requested by the post holder’s line manager and other senior managers.

Key Responsibilities

• Service Development

1. Supporting the Lead Occupational Therapist in the management and development of occupational therapy services within High Peak School, with particular responsibility for identified area of speciality

1. Development of occupational therapy plans in line with the educational and progression goals of students

1. Drafting and checking of policy, procedural and protocol documents under direction of Lead Occupational Therapist.

1. Adherence to current professional standards in Occupational Therapy

• OT Assessment and Interventions
  1. To carry out a range of specialist Occupational Therapy assessments and bespoke interventions to identify and support the individual needs of pupils at High Peak School.
  2. To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment to measure progress and ensure clinical effectiveness of the intervention using outcome measures.
  3. To manage a caseload across High Peak School, working flexibly and collaboratively to meet pupil and service needs in line with assessment results and EHCP targets.
  4. To provide highly specialist advice and consultation to pupils, their families and carers.
  5. To assess for specialist equipment and provide any necessary training to staff and /or parents.
  6. To organise, monitor and review equipment provision across both educational and care settings, working with the Lead Occupational Therapist to maintain resources and stock levels at all times.
  7. To identify appropriate targets for pupils in collaboration with teaching and other staff including;
     • To provide, implement and /or supervise appropriate evidence-based therapy programmes to achieve these targets
     • To record and report on progress towards these targets including contributions to Clinical Team Reports, EHCP Annual Review reports.
  8. To improve outcomes by promoting collaborative relationships with pupils, parents/carers, educational staff and relevant external agencies, taking into account their needs, wishes and ideas whilst respecting their diversity at all times.
  9. To maintain high clinical standards and contribute to the quality improvement across High Peak School, in line with the needs of the services and evidence-based practice.
  10. To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of the role working within professional and Kedleston Group requirements

• Consultancy Advice and Support
  1. To train and support unqualified and qualified staff in delivering OT programmes, ensuring they understand the boundaries of their role
  2. To plan, undertake and participate in teaching and education sessions for staff to share specialist clinical knowledge
  3. To attend meetings, reviews and case conferences as requested by the Occupational Therapy Team Lead

• Record Keeping
  1. To provide assessment reports, updates/reviews and treatment plans for individual pupils in line with Clinical Team Policy.
  2. To maintain accurate, detailed and contemporaneous clinical records, in line with the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
  3. To contribute to individual risk assessments and behaviour management plans
  4. To complete such forms and paperwork as may be required by the Kedleston Group and High Peak School policies and procedures

• Resources

There are no direct budgetary responsibilities but the postholder will assist the Lead Occupational Therapist in the efficient maintenance, use and storage of specialist resources required for occupational therapy assessment and intervention.

·Professional

a.To ensure clinical practice is up to date and based on agreed best clinical practice and evidence base. Participate in relevant education/training opportunities, read and critically appraise research articles in professional journals and utilise audit and research in daily practice

b.To establish/maintain internal and external networks to maintain good standards of practice, embrace new professional and clinical initiatives for the service and enhance job satisfaction

c.To maintain personal CPD portfolio to meet HPC registration requirements

1. To undertake relevant High Peak School and Kedleston Group training and to ensure that training is refreshed at the required intervals.

1. To develop specialist knowledge and understanding of conditions relevant to the pupils of High Peak School.

• Other
  1. To be aware of any potential conflicts of interest and inform his/her line manager of these.

We are committed to safeguarding and protecting children and we expect all colleagues to share this commitment. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with children are recruited to work for us. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020 and is subject to a range of vetting checks including a criminal records disclosure.

We are a disability confident committed and equal opportunities employer, welcoming applications from all sections of the community.

This job description was correct at the time of writing but may be subject to change and development according to the prevailing needs of the Group

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