Occupational Therapist ( Project )

Job Category : Social & Health Care Qualified
Location : Castlemead – Southwark Adult Social Care, Southwark Council
Hours Per Week : 36.00
Start Date : Immediate start
Start Time : 09:00
End Time : 17:00
Salary: £22.83

This post is in the Mental Health Reablement Team, which is a short-term service that aims to prevent and reduce social care needs whilst promoting independence and recovery within the community. The aim is that, through a targeted, brief intervention, service users can enhance their wellbeing and independence and avoid longer-term social care support. The team is comprised of social workers, occupational therapists and assistant practitioners. Service users will have the appearance of needs under the Care Act 2014 and practitioners will tailor interventions to specific outcomes identified alongside service users and, if appropriate, other professionals or family members.

The occupational therapist role within Mental Health Reablement Team has two main functions. Alongside other members of the team, they will hold a caseload and deliver Reablement interventions, working creatively to prevent and/or reduce needs resulting from mental ill health. The occupational therapist will also provide support to other members of the team through specialist OT assessment, and may prescribe equipment when appropriate.

The post holder will be expected to expand their specialist knowledge and skill relating to:
• Assessment and Support Planning
• Specialist OT assessment via the Model of Human Occupation
• Safeguarding / Risk Assessments
• Resources and procedures
• Identification of continuing healthcare and social care needs
• Identification of mental capacity, Safeguarding, DoLS and complex family issues
• Identification of motivation to change
Knowledge, including educational qualifications:

1. HCPC registered Occupational Therapist with at least one recognised OT qualification
2. Knowledge of current and proposed legislation, policy and guidance in relation to community care in general, in particular relating to people with mental health needs
3. Knowledge of OT theory, specialist assessments and interventions

Knowledge and understanding of Reablement, wellbeing principles, strengths based and rehabilitative practice

1. Knowledge of the principles of equal opportunities, anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice in assessment and the provision of services
2. Qualified Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) / Approved Mental Capacity Professional (AMCP) or Best Interest Assessor (BIA) or willingness to train

Experience:

1. Experience of supporting adults with limitations caused by mental illness/impairment, including 1:1 work, the identification of needs and planning and implementing treatment
2. Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team and with multiple agencies to facilities holistic assessments and working collaboratively to support people to achieve their goals and maximise their independence
3. Experience of using OT specific assessments and/or strategies to support independence
4. Experience of undertaking or supporting safeguarding adult’s investigations and person centred safeguarding plans