Job summary
We are looking to find a dynamic, creative, forward thinking and hard-working Occupational Therapist to work full time within our National Specialist Service for Complex Autism & Associated Neurodevelopmental Disorders (SCAAND) based at the Michael Rutter Centre for Children and Young People. SCAAND is an NHS England funded specialist service for children and young people with autism and complex mental health difficulties.
The occupational therapy post is based across ARD and IDT within friendly and hardworking teams. The post holder will deliver occupational therapy assessment and treatment of young people referred to SCAAND under the supervision of the specialist lead occupational therapist.
The successful applicant will be passionate about this client group and committed to working with both a sensory integration and behavioural approach. It is an opportunity to develop your assessment and intervention skills and work closely with a highly skilled and supportive team, to develop shared care plans that address any occupational needs.
Main duties of the job
To manage a caseload of clients with complex needs, using evidence based / client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.
To provide leadership for students and to regularly supervise occupational therapy students on practice placements
To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of occupational therapy / team services, holding responsibility for defined projects.
To carry out team activities e.g. generic assessments and duty responsibilities
To work as an autonomous professional within RCOT and HCPC guidelines and codes of conduct, and guided by the policies and procedures of the service, taking responsibility for own work including treatment and discharge decisions with support of clinical supervisor.
About us
We are committed to ensuring our staff get the most out of their benefits package and understand the importance of a healthy work life balance. There is an extensive range of excellent benefits for you and your family. We want you to feel like you are part of a close knit team at SLaM. It's important to us that you valued and appreciated and that are why we have a comprehensive benefits package on offer.
SCAAND is a Tier 4 multi-disciplinary NHS England funded specialist service for children and young people with autism and complex mental health difficulties. SCAAND is a multi-disciplinary service providing assessment and intervention/management of complex neurodevelopmental presentations. The SCAAND service is comprised of three teams (Autism and Related Disorders (ARD), Intellectual Disability Team (IDT) and Neuropsychiatry (NP)), each dealing with the assessment and management of complex autism/autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children and young people. The term 'complex autism' refers to children and young people with ASD or possible ASD who present with co-occurring mental health, emotional and behavioural problems. The three teams, which work as one service and are multi-disciplinary, are able to ensure that the needs of the child and their family are assessed and managed in a comprehensive manner.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide Specialist Occupational Therapy assessment, formulation and intervention children/young people with autism spectrum disorders and associated neurodevelopmental conditions including intellectual disability and comorbid mental health difficulties, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits, enabling the client in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure.
To manage a caseload across SCAAND as agreed with Band 7 Occupational Therapist. To act as keyworker taking responsibility for initiating planning and reviewing care plans, case co-ordination and meetings.
To work with children/young people and their family to identify occupational therapy goals as part of the overall team care plan.
To plan and implement individual and/or group interventions, in collaboration with the client, using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals.
To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment for children/young people and their family with multiple needs in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
To demonstrate and apply a broad / high level of understanding of the effect of neurodevelopmental disability and discuss adaptation to sensory and social environments including schools.
To undertake risk assessments and risk management plans as appropriate.
To provide psychoeducation, coaching and supervision to children/young peoples extended support network as appropriate including families and schools.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide Specialist Occupational Therapy assessment, formulation and intervention children/young people with autism spectrum disorders and associated neurodevelopmental conditions including intellectual disability and comorbid mental health difficulties, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits, enabling the client in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure.
To manage a caseload across SCAAND as agreed with Band 7 Occupational Therapist. To act as keyworker taking responsibility for initiating planning and reviewing care plans, case co-ordination and meetings.
To work with children/young people and their family to identify occupational therapy goals as part of the overall team care plan.
To plan and implement individual and/or group interventions, in collaboration with the client, using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals.
To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment for children/young people and their family with multiple needs in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
To demonstrate and apply a broad / high level of understanding of the effect of neurodevelopmental disability and discuss adaptation to sensory and social environments including schools.
To undertake risk assessments and risk management plans as appropriate.
To provide psychoeducation, coaching and supervision to children/young peoples extended support network as appropriate including families and schools.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified and registered Occupational Therapist with HCPC
Desirable
- Postgraduate in sensory integration Other postgraduate training relevant to CAMHS
Experience
Essential
- 2 / 3 years post registration experience as an occupational therapist
- Extensive clinical experience including individual and group work
- Experience assessment and treatment of clients with a range of occupational needs of a complex nature in children with autism spectrum disorders and associated neurodevelopmental conditions, intellectual disabilities and comorbid mental health difficulties
- Experience of audit, research and clinical governance procedures and their application in practice
- Knowledge and / or experience of working as a Care Co-ordinator/keyworker
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders and associated neurodevelopmental conditions intellectual disabilities and comorbid mental health difficulties
- Specialist knowledge and application of occupational therapy assessments, interventions, and outcome measures for children and young people with autism and other neurodevelopmental difficulties
- To communicate skilfully, accessibly and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including, sensory and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information
- Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering and / or lived experience
- Ability to work autonomously and determine priorities for the occupational therapy/team service
- Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance
Other
Essential
- Willingness to work flexibly
- Experience of supervising assistant and trainee psychologists having completed the relevant training
- Commitment to lifelong learning
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified and registered Occupational Therapist with HCPC
Desirable
- Postgraduate in sensory integration Other postgraduate training relevant to CAMHS
Experience
Essential
- 2 / 3 years post registration experience as an occupational therapist
- Extensive clinical experience including individual and group work
- Experience assessment and treatment of clients with a range of occupational needs of a complex nature in children with autism spectrum disorders and associated neurodevelopmental conditions, intellectual disabilities and comorbid mental health difficulties
- Experience of audit, research and clinical governance procedures and their application in practice
- Knowledge and / or experience of working as a Care Co-ordinator/keyworker
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders and associated neurodevelopmental conditions intellectual disabilities and comorbid mental health difficulties
- Specialist knowledge and application of occupational therapy assessments, interventions, and outcome measures for children and young people with autism and other neurodevelopmental difficulties
- To communicate skilfully, accessibly and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including, sensory and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information
- Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering and / or lived experience
- Ability to work autonomously and determine priorities for the occupational therapy/team service
- Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance
Other
Essential
- Willingness to work flexibly
- Experience of supervising assistant and trainee psychologists having completed the relevant training
- Commitment to lifelong learning
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Address
The Michael Rutter Centre for Children and Young People
De Crespigny Park
London
SE5 8AZ
Employer's website
https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
