Occupational Therapy Team Manager – Independent Living Service

Location: Gateshead Council
Area: North East Social Services
Rate: £33.93 per hour
Job Type: Locum
Contract: Ongoing
Code: U. CSA 5303846.026008. B20919

Job Overview

Gateshead Council is seeking an experienced Occupational Therapy Team Manager to lead and manage the Occupational Therapy team within the Independent Living Service.

The successful candidate will provide strong professional leadership, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, person-centred Occupational Therapy services that promote independence, wellbeing and safe living within the community.

You will be responsible for supporting the team to deliver effective assessments and interventions while ensuring practice is compliant with relevant legislation, professional standards and Council policies.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and provide professional leadership to the Occupational Therapy team within the Independent Living Service.

• Provide effective supervision, support and performance management to Occupational Therapists and other relevant staff.

• Ensure high-quality, person-centred and strengths-based Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions.

• Oversee complex cases and provide professional guidance and advice to practitioners.

• Support the team in assessing functional needs, equipment, adaptations and other interventions designed to promote independence.

• Ensure appropriate risk management and safeguarding procedures are followed.

• Monitor caseloads, workload allocation and service performance to ensure effective and timely delivery.

• Promote best practice and continuous professional development across the Occupational Therapy service.

• Work collaboratively with Social Care, Health, Housing and other partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes.

• Ensure practice complies with relevant legislation, including the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and safeguarding requirements.

• Contribute to service development, quality assurance and the continuous improvement of Occupational Therapy provision.

• Support recruitment, induction and development of staff where required.

• Prepare and contribute to performance information, audits and management reports.

• Manage resources effectively and ensure services are delivered within agreed policies and procedures.

Skills & Experience

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Occupational Therapy.

• Current HCPC registration.

• Significant post-qualification Occupational Therapy experience.

• Previous experience of working within Adult Social Care, community services or a Local Authority setting.

• Proven experience in a management or senior Occupational Therapy role.

• Experience of supervising, supporting and developing Occupational Therapy staff.

• Strong knowledge of community-based Occupational Therapy, independent living, equipment and adaptations.

• Good understanding of the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, safeguarding and relevant social care legislation.

• Strong leadership, decision-making and professional judgement skills.

• Excellent communication and partnership-working abilities.

• Ability to manage competing priorities and provide effective oversight of a busy service.

• Commitment to strengths-based, person-centred practice and promoting independence.

Additional Information

This is an ongoing locum opportunity for an experienced Occupational Therapy Team Manager to provide leadership and professional oversight to the Occupational Therapy team within Gateshead Council’s Independent Living Service.