Job summary
We are looking for an Occupational Therapist to join our Community team to be based in either our Horsham office base. You will manage a caseload collaborating with people and family or friend carers, undertake strengths-based assessments and reviews, identifying eligible needs and personalised outcomes.
The successful applicant will possess the ability to communicate effectively, have compassion and empathy to support people who access our services, and be able to manage their own health and well-being due to the emotional demands of the role. You will have a good theoretical, practical and procedural knowledge of occupational therapy, and a good understanding of the necessity of working with partnership agencies including health, housing, education and statutory, voluntary and independent agencies. There will also be a requirement for you to work flexibly using your own initiative where appropriate to support people, carers, and families.
This role requires travel throughout the County, including to locations that may not be easily accessible by public transport, council pool cars and pool bikes are available. Additionally, it involves complex physical interventions, such as transporting, demonstrating, and using community equipment.
Main duties of the job
In this role you will be required to undertake strengths-based assessments, applying relevant legislation and utilising Occupational Therapy skills and knowledge to develop and implement a plan of support, aimed at improving wellbeing and delivering outcomes for people. You will be working within a supportive environment to apply your occupational therapy skills to develop and implement support plans, aimed at improving wellbeing and delivering outcomes, including utilising community assets, and ensuring that eligible needs are met.
You will manage a caseload collaborating with people and family or friend carers, undertake strengths-based assessments and reviews, identifying eligible needs and personalised outcomes.
About us
Reablement is a key strategic priority for West Sussex in 2025, so now is a great time to join the service. The council is investing in growing the service, to reach more people and to support more residents to live as independently as possible for longer.
The Regaining Independence Service (RIS) is a therapy led service working with people to help them keep or re-learn skills to manage living independently at home or to get out and about in their local community. Using a strengths-based approach, RIS work over a short and focused period with people who may have had a period of ill health or difficulties caring for themselves to maintain or regain the skills needed to enjoy their every day life. RIS work in partnership with our reablement provider ECL to deliver the Community Reablement Service, and work closely with colleagues in the NHS and other parts of the council.
To help us create a reablement workforce that reflects the communities we serve, and to ensure we have diverse perspectives and insights, we would particularly welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds and those with a disability.
Take a look at our Regaining Independence Service campaign page for further information on the work of the reablement teams -https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/jobs/featured-jobs/careers-in-social-care-occupational-therapy/our-teams/careers-in-our-regaining-independence-service/
Job description
Job responsibilities
What youll need to succeed You will possess the ability to communicate effectively, have compassion and empathy to support people who access our services, and be able to manage your own health and well-being due to the emotional demands of the role. You will have a good theoretical, practical, and procedural knowledge of occupational therapy, and a good understanding of the necessity of working with partnership agencies including health, housing, education and statutory, voluntary and independent agencies. There will also be a requirement for you to work flexibly to support people, carers, and families. You will be required to travel throughout the County including to locations that are not always easily accessible by public transport. The role will also involve complex physical interventions, including transporting, demonstrating, and using community equipment.
You will work as part of a strong and dynamic Occupational Therapy service. In this role you will be required to undertake strengths-based assessments, applying relevant legislation and utilising Occupational Therapy skills and knowledge to develop and implement a plan of support, aimed at improving wellbeing and delivering outcomes for people. You will be undertaking your assessed post-qualifying period of employment and will therefore be supported to manage a caseload collaborating with people and family or friend carers, undertake strengths-based assessments and reviews, identifying eligible needs and personalised outcomes. You will be working within a supportive environment to apply your occupational therapy skills to develop and implement support plans, aimed at improving wellbeing and delivering outcomes, including utilising community assets, and ensuring that eligible needs are met. You will be working within a managed and supportive context to consolidate degree learning, develop capability, and strengthen professional confidence in an employment environment. You will be supported with professional supervision and assessment and a workload that is appropriate to your level of professional development, including protected professionaldevelopment time.
You will work effectively in partnership with other staff and voluntary agenciesand gain a good understanding of all the relevant health, voluntary and privateservices in the area. You will strive to remain up-to-date and compliant with allrelevant legislation and adhere to organisational procedures, policies, and codesof conduct as well as Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) professionalstandards, to uphold a high-quality, seamless service.
Job description
Job responsibilities
What youll need to succeed You will possess the ability to communicate effectively, have compassion and empathy to support people who access our services, and be able to manage your own health and well-being due to the emotional demands of the role. You will have a good theoretical, practical, and procedural knowledge of occupational therapy, and a good understanding of the necessity of working with partnership agencies including health, housing, education and statutory, voluntary and independent agencies. There will also be a requirement for you to work flexibly to support people, carers, and families. You will be required to travel throughout the County including to locations that are not always easily accessible by public transport. The role will also involve complex physical interventions, including transporting, demonstrating, and using community equipment.
You will work as part of a strong and dynamic Occupational Therapy service. In this role you will be required to undertake strengths-based assessments, applying relevant legislation and utilising Occupational Therapy skills and knowledge to develop and implement a plan of support, aimed at improving wellbeing and delivering outcomes for people. You will be undertaking your assessed post-qualifying period of employment and will therefore be supported to manage a caseload collaborating with people and family or friend carers, undertake strengths-based assessments and reviews, identifying eligible needs and personalised outcomes. You will be working within a supportive environment to apply your occupational therapy skills to develop and implement support plans, aimed at improving wellbeing and delivering outcomes, including utilising community assets, and ensuring that eligible needs are met. You will be working within a managed and supportive context to consolidate degree learning, develop capability, and strengthen professional confidence in an employment environment. You will be supported with professional supervision and assessment and a workload that is appropriate to your level of professional development, including protected professionaldevelopment time.
You will work effectively in partnership with other staff and voluntary agenciesand gain a good understanding of all the relevant health, voluntary and privateservices in the area. You will strive to remain up-to-date and compliant with allrelevant legislation and adhere to organisational procedures, policies, and codesof conduct as well as Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) professionalstandards, to uphold a high-quality, seamless service.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma/BSc Occupational Therapy or recognised equivalent Occupational
- Therapy qualification.
- Registration with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Desirable
- Valid, full driving licence.
Key skills (shortlisting criteria)
Essential
- 1. Ability to work proactively as a member of the team to make an accurate strengths-based assessment of needs and negotiate and implement effective plans and outcomes (in line with relevant legislation), working in partnership with people, carers, colleagues, and a variety of external agencies to meet peoples outcomes.
- 2. Ability to apply a risk enablement approach and use evidence-based practice.
- 3. Ability to analyse and interpret people related information and data to prioritise needs and formulate plans for intervention and service provision.
- 4. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with a range of stakeholders to provide clear advice, guidance, and interventions.
- 5. Ability to recognise the limits of own accountability and responsibility, know when to seek appropriate support, advice, and supervision, and to prioritise and organise work to meet agreed performance expectations.
- 6. Sound and accurate IT skills to ensure effective record keeping, compliant with data protection and respecting confidentiality
Experience
Essential
- Experience of undertaking assessments and occupational therapy.
- intervention planning, implementation, and review by means of creative and pragmatic solutions.
- Experience of working in partnership with those who access the service and maintaining a focus on the needs and strengths of the people, and the outcomes they want to achieve, whilst handling conflict and disagreement.
- Experience of managing risk within a risk enablement approach.
- Requirement to undertake and complete Early Practice Framework.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma/BSc Occupational Therapy or recognised equivalent Occupational
- Therapy qualification.
- Registration with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Desirable
- Valid, full driving licence.
Key skills (shortlisting criteria)
Essential
- 1. Ability to work proactively as a member of the team to make an accurate strengths-based assessment of needs and negotiate and implement effective plans and outcomes (in line with relevant legislation), working in partnership with people, carers, colleagues, and a variety of external agencies to meet peoples outcomes.
- 2. Ability to apply a risk enablement approach and use evidence-based practice.
- 3. Ability to analyse and interpret people related information and data to prioritise needs and formulate plans for intervention and service provision.
- 4. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with a range of stakeholders to provide clear advice, guidance, and interventions.
- 5. Ability to recognise the limits of own accountability and responsibility, know when to seek appropriate support, advice, and supervision, and to prioritise and organise work to meet agreed performance expectations.
- 6. Sound and accurate IT skills to ensure effective record keeping, compliant with data protection and respecting confidentiality
Experience
Essential
- Experience of undertaking assessments and occupational therapy.
- intervention planning, implementation, and review by means of creative and pragmatic solutions.
- Experience of working in partnership with those who access the service and maintaining a focus on the needs and strengths of the people, and the outcomes they want to achieve, whilst handling conflict and disagreement.
- Experience of managing risk within a risk enablement approach.
- Requirement to undertake and complete Early Practice Framework.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
