Occupational Therapist

Seva Education is offering an innovative solution to meeting the needs of students with special educational needs and disabilities.

Seva Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers, prohibition from teaching and the Disclosure & Barring Service.

Duties & responsibilities:

·        To provide and maintain comprehensive OT provision for pupils with special educational needs, including social, emotional and mental health needs, within our school environment.

·        To support and train class-based staff in order for them to have an understanding of pupils’ sensory needs and additional OT needs and to provide appropriate support.

·        To manage the physical resources available, supervising and supporting students.

·        To provide functional assessments of children with special needs and disabilities and deliver individualised intervention aimed at maximising function.

·        To undertake all aspects of OT duties as an autonomous practitioner.

·        To be responsible for a defined case load, working autonomously with access to external supervision and to keep up to date with current practice and professional development.

·        Developing and maintaining specialist professional practice knowledge and skills in practice for children and young people of primary and secondary school age with identified needs.

·        Being responsible for service development and improvement in education-based practice for children and young people of primary and secondary school age with identified needs.

·        Demonstrating effective leadership skills within the Occupational Therapy Team and MDT.

Initiate, maintain and review child-focused OT provision for pupils and acting as an independent/autonomous practitioner by:

·        Assessing pupils’ needs and initiating treatment plans relevant to their needs considering the latest evidenced-based practice and published research.

·        Managing pupils’ intervention, including goal setting and outcomes evaluation.

·        Working in line with professional and school standards, protocols, and procedures.

·        Accessing clinical supervision to support your evidence-based on a termly basis.

·        Formulating accurate assessment and intervention in a wide range of highly complex conditions.

·        Using interpretation and analytical skills in order to recommend the best course of therapy intervention and develop comprehensive plans as appropriate.

·        Accepting clinical responsibility and organising this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.

·        Being highly skilled in a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to

communicate effectively with children of all ages and parents/guardians.

To be available to offer expert clinical advice to school staff, members of the multi-agency team, and parents, in relation to pupil’s sensory needs and improved participation at school by:

·        Scheduling and carrying out in-class observations in all classes to look at pupils’ needs for sensory strategies in order to improve their self-regulation and participation.

·        Continually up-dating your knowledge on evidenced-based practices related to children with SEND.

·        Evaluating your own practices and regularly reflecting on the intervention provided.

·        Contributing to developing appropriate goals with teaching staff.

·        Providing written and verbal reports.

·        Highlighting relevant research to prove clinical effectiveness.

·        Contributing to Individual Plans, Annual Reviews and other Multidisciplinary meetings about individuals or groups of pupils.

·        Attending all necessary MDT and MAG meetings.

·        Providing help and advice to clients, the family and other carers – having advanced skills and knowledge, teaching and demonstrating use of equipment or other techniques to optimise the child’s functional ability and independence.

To ensure Continuing Professional Development is achieved in line within RCOT and HCPC guidelines by:

·        Being aware of your personal responsibilities.

·        Managing your development time effectively.

·        Actively participating in planned clinical supervision and clinical audit.

·        Maintaining a professional diary/portfolio or other form of written evidence.

·        Writing protocols relevant to OT practices.

·        Continuing to self-evaluate practice.

To promote and monitor effective, pupil-focused care by:

·        Facilitating referral to OT as per guidelines.

·        Delivering the required plan of care or delegating where appropriate to others -

including support staff and OT assistant.

·        To provide a point of access and advice to all staff accessing OT and sensory spaces with pupils (including Health and Safety).

·        Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with teachers and teaching

assistants.

·        Working within professional guidelines and to have a good working knowledge of National and Local standards; to monitor own and others quality of practice as appropriate.

·        Having responsibility for the safe and competent use of all therapy and independence equipment.

·        To undertake all duties with regard to the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.