Occupational Therapist – Adult Social Care

Location: Oxfordshire County Council – Abbey Centre
Area: South East Social Services
Rate: £38 per hour Umbrella
Job Type: Locum
Contract: Ongoing
Code: U.479693.026008. B20923

Job Overview

Oxfordshire County Council is seeking an experienced Occupational Therapist to join its Adult Social Care service.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively across Adult Social Care and partner agencies to promote independence, wellbeing and strong communities. The role involves completing proportionate assessments, reviews and professional interventions while using strength-based and person-centred approaches to identify solutions that meet individuals’ needs and desired outcomes.

The post holder will provide specialist Occupational Therapy expertise across equipment, assistive technology, adaptations, moving and handling, reablement and housing, while ensuring practice is compliant with relevant legislation, safeguarding requirements and professional standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake timely and proportionate Occupational Therapy assessments, reviews and professional interventions.

• Work within the requirements of the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Mental Health Act 1983 and other relevant legislation, guidance and codes of practice.

• Provide personalised information, advice and professional guidance to individuals, families and carers.

• Apply strength-based approaches, exploring informal support networks, community resources, equipment, adaptations and other preventative solutions.

• Ensure support plans clearly reflect individuals’ needs, desired outcomes and how those outcomes will be achieved.

• Assess for and provide appropriate equipment and Assistive Technology to meet assessed needs and reduce risk.

• Assess and provide advice regarding minor and major property adaptations.

• Undertake moving and handling assessments, including postural management, and recommend appropriate equipment and techniques.

• Work with housing partners to support appropriate rehousing applications in line with local housing policies.

• Undertake the role of a Trusted Assessor, using professional judgement to identify when specialist social care or health input is required.

• Identify opportunities for reablement and other services designed to improve and maintain independence.

• Identify and appropriately report adult and children’s safeguarding concerns and undertake safeguarding enquiries where required.

• Balance protection and risk through sound professional and legal decision-making while supporting individuals to manage their own risks wherever appropriate.

• Maintain comprehensive, accurate and professionally defensible records in line with organisational and professional standards.

• Prepare court reports and provide evidence during legal proceedings where required.

• Work in accordance with departmental policies and procedures, including GDPR, data protection, confidentiality and information-sharing requirements.

• Take ownership of individual and team performance targets.

• Exercise appropriate professional accountability when committing financial resources within the Council’s scheme of delegation.

• Work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes for individuals and their communities.

Skills & Experience

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Occupational Therapy.

• Current HCPC registration.

• Significant experience working as an Occupational Therapist within Adult Social Care, community services or a Local Authority environment.

• Strong knowledge of the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and Mental Health Act.

• Experience undertaking holistic, proportionate and strengths-based assessments.

• Strong practical experience with equipment, Assistive Technology and minor and major adaptations.

• Experience undertaking moving and handling and postural management assessments.

• Understanding of reablement and preventative approaches to promote independence.

• Experience working with Housing and other partner agencies.

• Ability to identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.

• Strong professional judgement and ability to balance risk, independence and individual choice.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce high-quality professional and legal documentation.

• Ability to manage a caseload effectively while meeting individual and team performance expectations.

• Strong understanding of confidentiality, information sharing and data protection requirements.

• Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary services while maintaining professional accountability.

Additional Information

This is an ongoing locum opportunity for an experienced Occupational Therapist to work within Oxfordshire Adult Social Care. The role offers the opportunity to use specialist OT expertise across assessment, reablement, equipment, adaptations, moving and handling, safeguarding and housing to support individuals to achieve greater independence and maintain their quality of life.