Due to additional investment into Hertfordshire's Children and Young People's Integrated Therapy Service (CYPT), we have an exciting new 3- tiered sensory service to support neurodivergent children and young people (CYP).

This is an exciting time for Hertfordshire as we grow our support offer to provide specialist services to meet the sensory needs of CYP. As a team we are aligned to the Children and Young People's Specialist Services Directorate and work closely with our CYPT service and system partners including voluntary sector organisations, mental health services, social care and education.

We are looking for experienced Occupational Therapists who have the relevant training in sensory integration and experience in supporting children and young people who have sensory processing difficulties which impact on their participation of activities of daily life. You will support the Clinical Quality Lead in developing clinical pathways, and work with system partners to co-design services.

The sensory model is designed with universal, targeted and specialist tiers to assist families and educational settings in implementing strategies to support participation in activities of daily life.

You will be part of a friendly and supportive integrated team delivering a locally driven, needs led service ensuring children and their families are at the heart of service delivery.

HCT provides both internal and external CPD to support staff in developing and maintaining competencies.

Main duties of the job

The post-holders will provide clinical support to a team of health professionals (Occupational Therapists, Therapy Assistants, Positive Behaviour Analysts). The service will sit within the CYPT service, and will have strong links to the Community Paediatricians, Public Health Nursing, Education and Voluntary Sector

The ideal candidate will:

• Have highly specialist knowledge and skills in working with sensory differences in neurodivergent children and young people and their families/carers
• Be a qualified Occupational Therapist
• Have postgraduate training in sensory integration or willingness to undertake training
• Maintain a high degree of professionalism when working in highly emotive atmospheres
• Demonstrate positive and effective communication with others
• Be flexible in their approach and have resilience under pressure

We can offer you

• A friendly team and a great place to work
• Regular line-management and professional supervision
• Personal development planning and opportunities for continuing professional development
• Access to training to further develop your leadership and management skills both internally within HCT and linking with universities for more formal qualifications
• Mentoring and coaching
• Regular peer support through Action Learning Sets
• Structured induction period

Applicants will require professional registration with a statutory body.

About us

• If you are looking for somewhere to make a real difference and are passionate about helping neurodivergent CYP access the right support at the right time to help them stay safe, and thrive in their development, a career with us may be just what you're looking for. At HCT we strive to make a difference to the health and wellbeing of our communities.
• We are proud to be an organisation which focuses on our people, and we welcome people who share our values to come and work with us.
• Our shared values support the development of a strong working culture, guiding and inspiring all of our actions and decisions. They enable us to be better at what we do ensuring we provide the highest quality of care to our patients.
• Our patients, their families and carers are at the centre of our vision - Outstanding Services and Healthier Communities
• Our staff are proud to be Innovative, Caring and Agile in their work to help achieve the Trust vision

We welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from all backgrounds and ages

You've made a great decision to apply to join to HCT - we're looking forward to taking the next steps of the journey with you

Job description

Job responsibilities

This permanent position is based in Hertfordshire, we have a number of bases including Watford, St Albans, Welwyn Garden City and Stevenage and can be flexible with your choice of base. The successful candidate is expected to work across locations in Hertfordshire to meet service needs and demands.

You will need a full valid driving licence and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010)

Please see attached job description and person specification for more information about this role.

Whilst it is not a legal requirement, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust encourages and supports all its staff to be vaccinated as this remains the best line of defence against COVID-19.

HCT has been voted one of the top 100 NHS trusts to work for in the country. We are an Armed Forces-friendly organisation and a menopause accredited employer.

We dont want you to miss out so be aware that if we have a high level of interest in this role, the vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date. Please make your application as soon as possible - Apply now

For an informal conversation please contact Liesl Salters Brown, Clinical Quality Lead for Childrens OT on 07825 929688

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• Highly specialist knowledge acquired through degree or equivalent qualifications, in sensory integration theory and assessment
• Continued Professional Development evidenced by attendance at specialist postgraduate courses to maintain and develop own specialist knowledge and expertise.
• Recognised OT Qualification leading to registration with HCPC
• HCPC Licence to Practice
• Registered member of British Association of OT
• Supervision/Clinical Educators Course attendance

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

• Working knowledge of electronic patient record system
• Knowledge of current safeguarding procedures
• Evidence of involvement in service policy development in area of specialism
• Experience of working with different professional disciplines and agencies
• Experience of clinical supervision to wide range of staff in area of specialism
• Knowledge of NHS, Education and social care policy and directives where these impact on area of specialism or service delivery
• Evidence of delivering training in area of specialism
• High level clinical skills including assessment and provision of equipment
• Experience of advising/providing second opinions

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Excellent communication skills both oral and written, including the ability to liaise and negotiate
• Ability to communicate and receive complex and sensitive information
• Knowledge of barriers to understanding & ability to explain complex issues simply.
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels across organisations and with a range of audiences
• Ability to establish positive relationships and mutual respect with people at all levels
• Able to analyse and interpret complex data
• Effective problem solving skills
• Computer literate including use of Excel spreadsheets, databases and PowerPoint
• Ability to work for long periods whilst maintaining concentration

Other requirements

Essential

• Eligible to live and work in the UK
• Hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010)
• Experience and evidence of engagement around equality, diversity and inclusion issues in relation to policy, service development and service delivery in respect of both services to users and the management of staff

Employer details

Employer name

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

Address

Howard Court

Welwyn Garden City

AL7 1BW



Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

812-23-KW-CYP-06-D