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Occupational Therapist – Moving & Handling Specialist

Brief Job Overview

Tripod Partners are currently recruiting for an experienced Occupational Therapist to join Reading Borough Council within Berkshire Social Services. This is an ongoing locum opportunity supporting the Optimising Care Service, with the initial requirement being for 6 months.

The successful Occupational Therapist will act as a Moving and Handling Specialist, using extensive experience in single-handed care approaches to undertake complex assessments, provide expert clinical advice and develop safe, proportionate care solutions. The role focuses on promoting independence, maximising people’s abilities and reducing reliance on formal care where appropriate.

Working under the supervision of the Senior Moving and Handling Lead, you will collaborate with colleagues, care providers and other professionals to support the implementation and embedding of Optimising Care principles across the service.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of service users requiring Occupational Therapy assessment and support to maintain their health, wellbeing and independence.
• Undertake complex Occupational Therapy assessments and develop strength-based, outcome-focused interventions.
• Apply specialist Moving and Handling knowledge to assess care needs and identify safe, proportionate solutions.
• Deliver and embed single-handed care approaches where appropriate to maximise independence and reduce reliance on formal care.
• Undertake Occupational Therapy assessments in people’s homes using the PEOP (Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance) Model of Practice.
• Complete assessments and interventions in accordance with relevant statutory duties, including the Care Act 2014 and Mental Capacity Act 2005.
• Apply knowledge of physical, mental, sensory, cognitive, psychological and social performance to deliver occupation-focused, person-centred interventions.
• Provide expert clinical advice and guidance to colleagues, care providers and non-Occupational Therapy staff.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and care providers to implement Optimising Care principles and promote independence-focused outcomes.
• Provide residents with accurate information and advice and signpost them to appropriate local preventative services to help build resilience and achieve meaningful outcomes.
• Safeguard adults and carers at risk of harm in accordance with safeguarding policies, procedures and Making Safeguarding Personal principles.
• Contribute to continuous professional development and promote high standards of Occupational Therapy practice.
• Work with the Principal Social Worker and Principal Occupational Therapist to support best practice and service development.
• Provide supervision and/or line management to designated Social Care Coordinators, Occupational Therapist Apprentices, student Occupational Therapists and newly qualified Occupational Therapists, where appropriate and according to experience.
• Provide peer support to colleagues and contribute professional advice and guidance across the wider service.
• Work within relevant legislation, statutory guidance, policies and procedures.

About You

We are looking for an experienced Occupational Therapist with extensive Moving and Handling expertise and a strong understanding of single-handed care. You will need to be confident undertaking complex functional assessments, providing specialist clinical advice and developing practical solutions that promote independence.

You should be comfortable working autonomously within people’s homes and applying strength-based, outcome-focused and person-centred approaches. Strong communication and partnership-working skills are essential, particularly when working with care providers and colleagues to embed new approaches to care delivery.

Requirements

• Relevant Occupational Therapy qualification.
• Current HCPC registration.
• Extensive experience as an Occupational Therapist within a social care or community setting.
• Specialist experience in Moving and Handling.
• Extensive experience delivering and embedding single-handed care approaches.
• Up-to-date Moving and Handling training.
• Experience undertaking complex Occupational Therapy assessments and providing expert clinical advice.
• Strong understanding of strength-based, person-centred and independence-focused practice.
• Knowledge of equipment, care provision and approaches to maximising independence.
• Ability to work collaboratively with care providers, multidisciplinary colleagues and other professionals.

Contract & Salary

• Job Title: Occupational Therapist
• Location: Reading Borough Council, Berkshire
• Area: Berkshire Social Services
• Service: Optimising Care Service
• Job Type: Locum
• Contract Length: Ongoing, with an initial 6-month requirement
• Salary: £38 per hour
• Working Pattern: Part-time and full-time arrangements considered

How to Apply

To apply for this Occupational Therapist – Moving and Handling Specialist role, apply using the form on the page.

Code: U. XMS 000B 5B96 / 1. 007009.B20996