Occupational Therapist ( Project )

PURPOSE OF THE JOB
Working within a multi-disciplinary team the occupational therapist will carry out assessments for older people, adults with disabilities and disabled children to meet the principles of the Care Act 2014.
You will assess the needs of people living with a disability and give advice or make recommendations that improve wellbeing and quality of life, maximising independence and supporting carers.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
1. To visit people with disabilities at home or in their permanent residence carrying out an occupational therapy assessment incorporating daily living skills, carer support, social situation and environmental barriers.
2. To maintain a comprehensive knowledge of commercially available products in order to appropriately recommend the provision of suitable equipment, assistive technology and telecare solutions for disabled people.
3. To follow through the provision of equipment, assistive technology and telecare, fitting this where necessary, and teaching techniques of use to client, carers and other relevant professionals.
4. To research and analyse the suitability, cost, safety and effectiveness of equipment and adaptations.
5. To ensure that family and paid carers can offer personal care safely through assessing manual handling, use of equipment to improve safety and giving advice and guidance to family carers and paid care supervisors.
6. To determine necessary adaptations to clients homes and arrange for these to be carried out in liaison with professionals from a range of disciplines. To advise clients who are having alterations done privately.
7. To monitor and respond to clients’ needs in changing circumstances, including anticipating and responding to the effects of certain degenerative medical conditions.
8. To assess client’s needs for rehousing on disability grounds (including to sheltered housing or part III accommodation), advising on the availability of suitable property/accommodation. To escort clients to view potential dwellings.
9. To make appropriate referrals to other professionals and service providers and to advise Departmental residential and day care units. To support the assessment of new users and implementation of individual programme plans, that promote wellbeing and ensure maintenance of clients’ quality of life.
10. To advise and work with other Council Departments on the design and planning of new buildings and facilities for disabled people and people with mobility and sensory needs.
11. To promote access to paid employment, training, rehabilitation, social and leisure opportunities as part of promoting each person’s independence and social inclusion, and to work with local and community groups to make them welcoming and accessible to disabled people.
12. To ensure that services are provided in accordance with current departmental policies, guidelines and practice statements. To implement strategies to combat discrimination.
13. To supervise Assistant Practitioners or students and students of other disciplines as required.
14. To teach professional skills to relevant departmental staff and external professionals as required.
JOB CONTEXT
This post is in the Older People and People with Disabilities Service. The post reports to a senior member of the team with clinical support available from a senior OT or OT team manager. Southwark council is committed to supporting vulnerable adults to achieve independence and social inclusion via personal budgets and professional OT support including recommendations for suitable accommodation, equipment, assistive technology, and housing adaptations. The post holder is expected to provide leadership and expert practice across the team to achieve these aims. The post holder will be expected to expand and develop their skills relating to: • Assessment of children and adults with complex disability • Disability equipment and moving and handling techniques and equipment • Housing adaptations • Assistive technologies • Safeguarding The post holder is expected to provide a proactive approach which encompasses these goals and sets out to achieve the aims and objectives of the Council.