Occupational Therapist

At Odyssey House School, the journey is everything. Make a positive difference to a child’s life in our vibrant and rewarding environment!

We are looking to appoint an experienced Occupational Therapist to join our friendly and supportive team. 

Odyssey House School is an exciting new special school setting, aiming to provide the highest quality education to students with special educational needs, primarily high-functioning autism. All students will be able to follow a differentiated National Curriculum, with the aim of achieving a range of recognised qualifications at Key Stage 4 and 5 including Entry Level, Functional Skills and GCSEs and other Level 2 qualifications.

Staff and students will benefit from small class sizes, dedicated library, reading booths, student focus area, sensory room, staff well-being lounge and work area. Staff will be able to deliver the curriculum through a range of specialist classrooms including ICT suite, Music studio, Art classroom, Science Lab, Assembly/PE/Dining Hall and a Food Technology classroom. 

The Role:

The Occupational Therapist plays a pivotal role in assessing the needs of a variety of students from their Education and Health Care Plans (EHCPs) and providing targeted and specialist interventions to support their development. You will be working within a variety of school environments, such as on site in Wokingham and Bloomsbury, assisting students remotely as well as visiting additional sites as the school expands and develops. You will work in line with Odyssey’s aim of delivering a bespoke, holistic and therapeutic education approach. 

Duties & Responsibilities:

Therapy & Learning 

• Evaluating students to determine need for occupational therapy 
• Developing appropriate therapy programs, including routines for classroom and home adaptation 
• Delivering therapy integrated into the school day to support learning and functional skill development for students with ASD, ADHD, EBSA, anxiety and other conditions 
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of students' sensory, motor, and self-care skills to support them in self-regulating and coping with day-to-day challenges 
• Provide ongoing monitoring and evaluation of intervention effectiveness, adjusting plans as necessary to optimise outcomes 
• Conduct training and support to teaching staff on strategies and techniques to promote students' functional skills and independence within the classroom setting. 

Building Relationships  

• Supporting staff and families to implement therapy strategies 
• Participating in service development and contributing to a multi-disciplinary team 
• Collaborate closely with teachers, parents, and other professionals to integrate occupational therapy goals into students' educational plans and learning environment 
• Participate actively in multidisciplinary meetings to contribute expertise and ensure coordinated care for students with complex needs 
• Support the Head of Alternative Education to deliver essential therapeutic care to students in a variety of educational settings.  

Records & Documentation 

• Maintain accurate documentation of assessments, case notes, annual review reports and intervention plans in accordance with regulatory standards and school policy 
• To maintain a high standard of report writing for annual reviews and attend annual reviews as appropriate 
• To attend regular clinical supervision and line management meetings, and to take part in the school’s professional development procedure 
• To attend staff meetings and in service training as required. 

Personal and Professional Development 

• Actively engage with personal supervision and line management supervision, demonstrating the ability to reflect on own pratice with peers and mentors and identify own strengths and development needs 
• Maintain and develop core professional competencies, underpinned by current evidence-based practice 
• Actively engage in extending knowledge and clinical experiend in areas of personal interest and professional relevance 
• Maintain membership of professional bodies. 
• To set a good example in terms of professional dress and appearance, punctuality and attendance 
• Adhere to the Odyssey House School safeguarding policy and procedures at all times 
• Ensure that the OHS vision is upheld at all times 
• To support the aims and ethos of the school and adhere to the requirements as defined in the staff handbook and school code of conduct  
• To work within the context of all policies and procedures in relation to the school, and any adaptations to these relating to students 
• To travel between school sites. 

Requirements:

·        GCSE Grade 4 English and Maths

·        A Levels or equivalent

·        Qualification or relevant experience working with children with SEND needs 

·        Qualification or experience working with children with ASC

·        Have a recognized Occupational Therapy degree or equivalent

·        Be registered with the Health Care Professions Council

·        Experience working in a school environment or other educational setting

·        Experience working with children/young people with SEN and/or short-term difficulties (e.g. behavioural difficulties, mental health, physical disabilities)

·        Experience supporting and working with parents of young people with SEND / additional needs

·        Experience working with children and young people with a range of occupational performance difficulties

·        Evidence of continuing professional development (desirable)

·        Understanding of the graduated approach to SEND

·        Assessment of individual pupils

·        Tailoring plans and interventions to individual pupils

·        Assessment and other data analysis and tracking (desirable)

·        Safeguarding of children and young people

·        Patient and calm

·        Desire to provide the best possible opportunities for all pupils

·        Able to create good relationships with children, staff, parents and external agencies

·        Organisation, time management, proactive and self-motivated

Job Title: Occupational Therapist 

Salary: £30,000 

Reporting to: Head of Alternative Education 

Hours: 40 hours per week, 40 weeks per year  

Type: Permanent, Full Time