Occupational Therapist – Adult & Children’s Services

Location: Walsall Council
Area: West Midlands Social Services
Rate: £28.40 per hour Umbrella
Job Type: Locum
Contract: Ongoing
Working Pattern: Hybrid – 1 day office-based per week (Monday)
Additional Requirement: Car driver required
Code: U. RQ1774260.026008. B20922

Job Overview

Walsall Council is seeking an experienced Occupational Therapist to deliver an effective, person-centred Occupational Therapy service supporting adults, children and carers.

The role focuses on promoting independence, wellbeing and choice through comprehensive assessment, intervention, equipment provision, adaptations and support planning. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with service users, carers, health professionals, housing teams and partner agencies to develop practical solutions that prevent, reduce or delay the need for ongoing care and support.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive Occupational Therapy assessments to identify individuals’ strengths, functional needs and opportunities to maximise independence.

• Assess functional abilities and develop proportionate interventions to prevent, reduce or delay care and support needs.

• Prescribe, order and facilitate the timely provision of appropriate equipment and assistive technology.

• Demonstrate the safe and effective use of equipment to service users, carers and support networks.

• Assess for and recommend appropriate minor and major home adaptations to promote safe and independent living.

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

• Design, implement and review reablement programmes to support individuals to maintain or regain independence.

• Undertake moving and handling assessments and complete appropriate risk assessments.

• Develop safe systems of work and provide professional advice regarding moving and handling.

• Promote and implement single-handed care approaches where clinically appropriate.

• Work jointly with formal and informal carers to ensure the safe and effective use of moving and handling equipment.

• Provide professional advice and guidance to service users, families and carers.

• Maintain accurate and timely case records, assessments and professional recommendations.

• Work in accordance with relevant legislation, professional standards, safeguarding requirements and Council policies.

• Contribute to multidisciplinary working and promote strengths-based, person-centred approaches throughout the service.

Skills & Experience

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Occupational Therapy.

• Current HCPC registration.

• Experience working as an Occupational Therapist within a health, social care, community or Local Authority setting.

• Strong assessment and clinical reasoning skills.

• Experience assessing for equipment, assistive technology and minor and major adaptations.

• Practical experience of moving and handling assessments and risk management.

• Knowledge and experience of reablement and promoting independence.

• Understanding of single-handed care principles and moving and handling equipment.

• Ability to work collaboratively with service users, carers and multidisciplinary partners.

• Sound understanding of safeguarding, relevant legislation and professional standards.

• Strong communication, organisation and report-writing skills.

• Ability to manage a caseload effectively and work independently.

• Full driving capability and willingness to travel as required.

Additional Information

This is an ongoing locum opportunity offering hybrid working, with an expectation of one office-based day per week on Mondays. The successful candidate must be a car driver and will support individuals across Walsall through assessment, intervention, equipment, adaptations and reablement.

The role is suited to an Occupational Therapist who is confident working across a varied caseload and is committed to promoting independence, choice and positive outcomes for service users and carers.