Occupational Therapist – Home First Occupational Therapy Team

Location: Dorset Council – Dorchester
Area: South West Social Services
Rate: Up to £35 per hour Umbrella
Job Type: Locum
Contract: 8 weeks
Working Hours: Full time – 37 hours per week
Working Pattern: Hybrid/Remote working
Code: U.026008. B20924

Job Overview

Dorset Council is seeking an experienced Occupational Therapist to join the Home First Occupational Therapy Team, supporting adults following hospital discharge and helping them achieve safe and sustainable independence within their own homes and communities.

The team provides support with hospital discharges, active recovery and reablement packages, working closely with health and community partners to achieve positive health and care outcomes.

The successful candidate will maintain links across all three area clusters and must therefore be confident travelling across the county to complete assessments and visits as required.

Key Responsibilities

• Complete comprehensive Occupational Therapy assessments for adults following hospital discharge.

• Support Home First, active recovery and reablement pathways to promote safe and timely discharge from hospital.

• Assess functional needs and identify appropriate interventions to maximise independence.

• Recommend and facilitate appropriate equipment, adaptations and other Occupational Therapy interventions.

• Develop and review reablement plans that support individuals to regain or maintain independence.

• Undertake home visits and functional assessments across Dorset.

• Work collaboratively with Health, Social Care, community services and other partner agencies.

• Build strong professional relationships with multidisciplinary partners to support integrated service delivery.

• Identify and manage risks appropriately while promoting individual choice and independence.

• Apply relevant Occupational Therapy theoretical frameworks, practice models, research findings and evidence-based approaches.

• Apply knowledge of psychological and human development theories to assessment and intervention.

• Maintain accurate and professional case records, assessments and reports.

• Manage a caseload effectively and prioritise work according to individual need and risk.

• Contribute to effective communication and information sharing across the three area clusters.

• Work flexibly across the county in line with service requirements.

Skills & Experience

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Occupational Therapy.

• Current HCPC registration.

• Minimum 3 years’ post-qualification Occupational Therapy experience within the UK.

• Previous experience working with adults in a community, hospital discharge, reablement or social care setting.

• Strong understanding of hospital discharge and Home First principles.

• Experience completing functional and holistic assessments.

• Knowledge of equipment, adaptations and interventions that promote independence.

• Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary health and social care teams.

• Knowledge and application of relevant Occupational Therapy theoretical frameworks and practice models.

• Understanding of psychological and human development theories and their application to practice.

• Strong communication, assessment, decision-making and report-writing skills.

• Ability to work independently and manage a busy caseload.

• Access to a car and willingness to travel across Dorset County.

• Eligibility to work in the UK.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, 37-hour-per-week locum opportunity within Dorset Council’s Home First Occupational Therapy Team.

The successful Occupational Therapist will need to be able to travel across the county to complete visits and assessments. Hybrid/remote working is available, with the role primarily focused on supporting adults with hospital discharge, active recovery and reablement.