Senior Occupational Therapist - Learning Disability and Neurodiversity Team

We are looking for a Senior Occupational Therapist to join our dynamic and supportive Learning Disability and Neurodiversity (LDN) Team. This is an exciting opportunity to use your clinical expertise and leadership skills to shape service delivery and support individuals in achieving their goals.

Are you an experienced Occupational Therapist ready to take the next step in your career? Do you have a passion for supporting adults with learning disabilities and neurodivergent needs to live more independent and fulfilling lives?

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the Role:
As a Senior Occupational Therapist you'll be an integral part of a welcoming and encouraging team. Our collaborative efforts extend to colleagues within Reading Borough Council, healthcare professionals, voluntary and charity organizations, Brighter Futures for Children, and education partners, all aimed at achieving optimal outcomes for the individuals under our care.

We seek individuals who can showcase excellent communication skills and possess the ability to establish and nurture relationships with colleagues, service users, and their families.

In this senior role, you will:

• Provide advanced, person-centred occupational therapy assessments and interventions to adults with a range of complex needs.
• Offer clinical leadership and supervision to junior staff and students within the team.
• Work closely with health, social care, and voluntary sector colleagues to deliver integrated care.
• Take a lead on service development initiatives and contribute to strategic planning.
• Support the development of pathways that promote independence, inclusion, and positive outcomes.

We’re looking for a compassionate and motivated Occupational Therapist who:

• Holds a recognised degree or diploma in Occupational Therapy and is HCPC registered.
• Has experience working with people with learning disabilities, autism, or other neurodivergent conditions (or a strong interest in this area).
• Demonstrates excellent communication, clinical reasoning, and team-working skills.
• Is committed to inclusive practice and person-centred care.

Your role will include:

• Providing a timely transition for all Care Act eligible 14- to 18-year-olds into adulthood; and ensuring all adults with a learning disability and/or autism are receiving the appropriate ASC support under care act eligibility criteria.
• Promoting as much independence, whatever that looks like to the young/older adults, as possible to allow for successful and achievable outcomes.
• Embedding an enablement focus. You will support individuals to remain in their own homes and maximise their independence.
• Working with all families to ensure they understand the role and remit of ASC for eligible LDN adults.
• Developing close and effective relationships with providers, community and voluntary services, children’s services, schools and colleges.
• Helping us to be a high performing, efficient, supportive and outcome focused team who together embed the principles of TEAM Reading.
• Using a strengths-based approach and your unique OT skill set to support individuals to find solutions, promote wellbeing and healthy occupations through a variety of interventions including equipment, adaptations, manual handling, goal planning and working closely with care providers, Housing Services and Health colleagues.

You will hold a varied caseload and contribute to the team performance and positive outcomes for our young people.

You will work within local RBC guidance, policies and procedures, as well as RCOT guidelines and good practice. A good understanding of the Care Act 2014 and its application, including Adult Safeguarding is desirable.

We offer excellent support, supervision, and induction. You will have access to our Learning and Development programme and be supported in your career and personal growth with opportunities to learn and develop new clinical skills, helping you to build your Continuing Professional Development portfolio, extending your skills and supporting you to grow as an Occupational Therapist.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on everyone to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do.

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

Our offer
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• Maternity, adoption, parental and sick pay
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Access to a range of training and learning opportunities to help you develop
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing, and road tax
• Salary sacrifice scheme for Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) to help you save for your retirement

Closing date: Applications considered on receipt
Interview date: To be arranged

If you would like to find out more about this role and the team, please contact Louise Mole (LDA Team Manager) on 0118 937 3747 or email louise.mole@reading.gov.uk

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Visit: www.moretoreading.co.uk to find out more about Reading’s Community & Adult Social Care Services. It’s a chance to hear from the people who already work here and why they have chosen Reading as their professional destination.