Occupational Therapist/ Specialist Occupational Therapist – New Malden or Uxbridge

Salary:Band 7: Spine Point 31 – 36, actual salary based on all year round 3 days per week - £28,601  - £32,273; FTE salary £47,341 – £53,419 per annum (outer London: Sutton or Uxbridge);

 Band 6: Spine Point 25 – 30, actual salary based on all year round 3 days per week - £23,671 - £27,948; FTE salary £39,181 - £46,259 per annum (outer London: Sutton or Uxbridge);

Location:   New Malden or Uxbridge

Hours: 3 day per week

Contract:   Various contact types are offered i.e., All Year Round, Term Time Only or Term Time     Plus

Orchard Hill College is an Outstanding Specialist College (Ofsted, November 2019) offering life-changing learning opportunities to young people and adults with a range of special education needs and/or disabilities. We have eight vibrant community based College Centres across London and Surrey where committed, specialist teams deliver a range of programmes to meet the needs of over 400 students.

Students who study with us have a wide range of needs including profound and multiple learning disabilities, communication and behavioural difficulties and specific medical needs. All students are individual and their learning programme is designed to support and empower them to achieve their aspirations and goals, whilst developing skills to become more independent members of their community.

Orchard Hill College is a truly unique and rewarding place to work with inspirational students and a dynamic and supportive staff team.

The College is also an Academy sponsor and established Orchard Hill College Academy Trust in 2013 which is home to 14 special schools. Together Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust provide for over 1500 pupils and students with SEN across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire. To find out more about Orchard Hill College please visit https://orchardhill.ac.uk/.

The Integrated Services Team is highly valued by the college and plays an integral role in influencing the whole college’s direction and practice. 

You will be joining a College with an Outstanding Ofsted rating, and a successful Therapy team that works in partnership with lecturers/teachers and support staff to support our learners in accessing all aspects of the curriculum, as well as liaising with parents/carers and other external professionals and agencies.

The Occupational Therapy Team are passionate about:

·        Working collaboratively with curriculum staff, parents & carers to help students achieve their full potential in college and the community.

·        Promoting students’ independence and access to all areas of life.

·        Creating capable and enabling environments within a multi-disciplinary Positive Behaviour Support framework.

·        Supporting students to develop their skills and independence in self-regulation through exploring their feelings, triggers and helpful tools. 

·        Researching, trialling, and recommending affordable, creative, and evidenced based assistive devices and technology to empower students’ independence in meaningful activities. 

·        Promoting all student’s health and wellbeing through the assessment and provision of appropriate seating and accessing interests within their local communities.

·        Championing creative projects to facilitate students’ engagement in, and development of, the curriculum. 

·        Supporting each other, our OT team, to realise and develop our clinical and professional potential.

·        Working collaboratively and creatively with the rest of the Integrated Services team which comprises Occupational Therapy, Creative Arts therapists, Nursing, Physiotherapy and Positive behaviour support leads.  

We are looking for Occupational Therapists who love working with people with Learning Disabilities in creative, functional, and person-centred ways - so whatever your current band or level of experience, we would be delighted to hear from you. 

We can offer you:

• 40 days’ annual leave for full time therapists (public/bank holidays off, Christmas closure period)
• Flexible working schemes
• Enhanced CPD & career progression pathway
• Workplace research
• Mental health advocates across all sites
• Local government pension scheme
• Comprehensive wellbeing programme including ride2work, electric car & home electronic schemes, counselling referrals and wellbeing sessions.
• Opportunities to engage with internal professional networks.
• Occupational health & wellbeing support initiatives, including EAP.
• Company pension scheme with lump-sum death benefits.
• Family-friendly policies including enhanced parental leave schemes.
• Salary sacrifice schemes including Cycle to Work, season ticket loan.
• Discounted gym membership subscription.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details on the role and the skills, experience and knowledge we are looking for.

For an informal discussion about the role, candidates are invited to contact Shikara Rajballi, Deputy Head of Integrated Services at SRajballi@orchardhill.ac.uk.

To apply for the role please use the quick apply option to submit an application. If you have any queries, please contact jobs@orchardhill.ac.uk.

Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role.

Please note that the advert may close earlier than advertised if a successful candidate is found, so candidates are encouraged to apply early.

Please note that CV applications cannot be considered. 

Closing Date: 7.07.2024

Interviews will take place on: 17.07.24

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.