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Occupational Therapist – Moving & Handling / Single-Handed Care

Job Overview

Tripod Partners are currently recruiting for an experienced Occupational Therapist to join Walsall Council as part of the Optimal Handed Care Project, within West Midlands Social Services.

This is an excellent ongoing locum opportunity for a professional with strong moving and handling expertise and experience supporting adults with complex care and support needs in community settings.

The role will focus on promoting safe, person-centred and legally compliant moving and handling practice across Adult Social Care and commissioned provider services. You will lead on complex assessments, develop and review Moving and Handling Plans and Safe Systems of Work, and provide specialist advice, coaching and practical support to colleagues, carers, personal assistants and provider services.

The position offers hybrid working, with 2 days office-based and 3 days working from home.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide specialist moving and handling expertise across Adult Social Care and commissioned provider services.
• Lead assessments of complex moving and handling situations within community settings.
• Develop, implement and review individual Moving and Handling Plans and Safe Systems of Work.
• Undertake complex moving and handling risk assessments and develop proportionate risk management plans.
• Promote Single-Handed Care and other recognised best-practice approaches where appropriate.
• Ensure moving and handling risks are appropriately assessed, managed and reviewed.
• Promote independence, dignity, wellbeing and choice through safe and proportionate moving and handling solutions.
• Provide professional advice, guidance, coaching and practical support on moving and handling techniques and equipment.
• Support Adult Social Care staff, commissioned providers, personal assistants and carers to develop safe moving and handling practice.
• Provide advice on appropriate equipment, including hoists, slings, transfer aids, beds, seating systems and assistive technology.
• Work in accordance with relevant legislation, national guidance and Council policies.
• Apply strengths-based and person-centred principles in accordance with the Care Act 2014.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of moving and handling practice across the service.

About You

We are looking for an experienced Occupational Therapist or suitably qualified health and social care professional with significant expertise in moving and handling and complex community-based care.

You will have strong assessment and risk management skills, with the confidence to provide specialist advice and challenge practice where necessary. You will be able to communicate complex moving and handling requirements clearly and provide practical coaching and support to staff, carers and provider services.

A strong understanding of person-centred and strengths-based practice is essential, alongside a commitment to promoting independence, dignity, wellbeing and choice.

Requirements

• Professional qualification in Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Nursing or another relevant health or social care profession.
• Current professional registration with HCPC, NMC or an equivalent professional body, where applicable.
• Significant experience of moving and handling practice within health or social care.
• Experience assessing adults with complex care and support needs in community settings.
• Experience undertaking complex moving and handling risk assessments.
• Experience developing, implementing and reviewing Moving and Handling Plans and Safe Systems of Work.
• Experience providing advice, coaching or training on moving and handling techniques and equipment.
• Strong knowledge of moving and handling legislation, including the Manual Handling Operations Regulations, health and safety requirements and relevant best-practice guidance.
• Knowledge of the Care Act 2014, strengths-based practice and person-centred approaches.
• Knowledge of moving and handling equipment used in community care, including hoists, slings, transfer aids, beds, seating systems and assistive technology.
• Ability to promote safe practice while supporting independence, dignity and wellbeing.

Desirable Experience

• Experience of Single-Handed Care approaches.
• Experience within Adult Social Care community services.
• Experience auditing moving and handling practice.
• Experience contributing to CQC assurance activity.
• Experience working with commissioned provider services.

Contract & Salary

• Job Title: Occupational Therapist
• Project: Optimal Handed Care Project
• Location: Walsall Council
• Area: West Midlands Social Services
• Job Type: Locum
• Contract: Ongoing
• Working Hours: 37 hours per week
• Working Pattern: Monday to Friday, 08:15–17:15
• Working Arrangement: Hybrid – 2 days office-based and 3 days working from home
• Pay Rate: £28.40 per hour Umbrella
• Reference: U. RQ1766512. 011008. B20852

How to Apply

If you are an experienced Occupational Therapist with specialist moving and handling expertise and are looking for an ongoing locum opportunity within Adult Social Care, this role offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to safe, innovative and person-centred practice across Walsall.

Apply using the form on the page.