37.5 hours per week

We are inviting applications for the post of Specialist Occupational Therapist in the Forensic Outreach Liaison Service (FOLS). This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a developing community outreach service for people with a diagnosis of learning disability and/or autism.

The post holder is expected to work within an agreed level of autonomy to deliver high quality occupational therapy assessment and intervention to a caseload of people with complex needs. You will be a highly enthusiastic and motivated individual who will be able to use initiative and apply judgement to all aspects of the occupational therapy process, and risk management whilst keeping the service user in the centre of your practice.

You will be working with the Advanced Occupational Therapist and therapy assistants, part of a wider multi-disciplinary team that provides specialist support, assessment and treatment to people who have come into contact or are at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system, and/or have been admitted to a secure hospital setting.

For full job description, please see attached supporting documents

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients

Main duties of the job

The team aims to reduce hospital admissions and length of stay by supporting individuals and their wider support networks with understanding and safely managing risk within the community. The team uses a strengths focused, formulation based approach to care and treatment.

FOLS offer frequent supervision and reflective practice. You will have the opportunity to introduce new ideas to the service and develop your clinical skills alongside experienced staff. Continuing Professional Development is actively supported through in-service training and external training. The role allows you to develop skills in specialist risk assessments and there is an expectation to carryout this role, as well as duty and triage of new referrals.

Experience with working with LD and/or autism and of working within an Occupational Therapy team in a forensic setting is desirable but enthusiasm and the ability to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of working with this client group and being part of a developing service is essential.

The service covers West Yorkshire and Barnsley, travelling is expected. The service currently has a working pattern of 9am to 5pm Monday Friday but as the service develops the role could adapt to work 8am to 8pm across 7 days a week.

If you would like to discuss these posts or organise an informal visit, please contact: Kelly Maud (Advanced Occupational Therapist) on 01924 316112

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will be required to work as an integral member of the multi-disciplinary team, providing specialist occupational therapy assessment and treatment for service users in receipt of care from community services. Enabling service users to engage in a range of individual and group community based treatment activities. You will be actively involved in the promotion of occupational therapy within the service area. The post holder will be required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and the client group.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

1. Clinical

1.1. To undertake specific standardised and non-standardised assessments to formulate effective treatment plans in conjunction with the service user, family and carer.

1.2. To interpret the assessment results in order to plan and implement a client centred occupational therapy treatment programme on an individual and/or group basis using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals.

1.3. To ensure therapeutic interventions are of a high professional standard, informed by evidence based practice and involves the service user and carer in all aspects of the care programme.

1.4. To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the effect of disability providing training and advice on lifestyle changes/adaptations to the clients social and physical environments.

1.5. To act as the care programme co-ordinator as required and to offer carers an assessment and care plan where appropriate.

1.6. To contribute to a co-ordinated team approach throughout the assessment and in meeting the service users needs including developing and maintaining close working relationships with all relevant services, and agencies within the voluntary sector.

1.7. To regularly evaluate the effectiveness of group and individual occupational therapy interventions by undertaking specific audits and using outcome measures such as standardised / other relevant assessments and service user satisfaction questionnaires.

1.8. To continue treatment interventions where necessary to assist in the transition of skills from an inpatient setting to living independently within the community.

1.9. To work effectively within the multi-agency team ensuring that both written and verbal communication is clearly maintained to ensure a seamless service.

1.10. To be responsible for the maintenance of appropriate clinical records concerned with service user treatment, in accordance with risk management documentation guidelines.

1.11. To arrange/attend appropriate clinical team meetings, referral meetings, case conferences, care programme approach meetings and any other as required by clinical need and as direct by the Line/Service Manager.

1.12. To provide accurate and timely reports, statistical data through the electronic recording system and other information as required.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy
• Health Care Professions Council registration

Desirable

• Leadership / first line management certificate

Experience

Essential

• Post registration experience in mental health/learning disabilities setting.
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development
• Supervision of staff and / or students

Desirable

• Leadership / first line management experience
• Experience of a range of mental health/learning disabilities settings

Training

Essential

• Practice placement educators certificate (or to achieve within 12 months)
• To be willing to undertake post graduate training to further skills, knowledge and expertise

Desirable

• Post graduate training relevant to mental health such as, psychosocial interventions, cognitive behavioural / counselling skills / standardised assessment

Experience

Essential

• Post registration experience in mental health/learning disabilities setting.
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development
• Supervision of staff and / or students

Desirable

• Leadership / first line management experience
• Experience of a range of mental health/learning disabilities settings

Special Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Specialist knowledge and application of Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions relevant to mental health
• Extensive clinical practice skills including individual and group work
• Understanding of occupational therapy outcome measures
• Ability to work autonomously and set own priorities
• Ability to analyse professional and
• ethical issues
• Supervisory / appraisal skills
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance
• Ability to organise and respond efficiently to complex information
• Computer literacy
• Ability to build effective working
• relationships
• Detailed knowledge of mental health/learning disabilities legislation and current practice including policy drivers
• Detailed knowledge of clinical governance and its application

Personal attributes

Essential

• Values contribution of others
• Ability to motivate self and others
• Organisational skills
• Effective communication skills, verbal and written
• Willingness to work flexibly
• Ability to travel around the Trust as appropriate to the role

physical attributes

Essential

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

Employer details

Employer name

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Newton Lodge Hospital

Ouchthorpe lane

Wakefield

west yorkshire

wf1 3sp

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

C9378-F0592