We have an exciting opportunity for an Occupational Therapist to join Surrey & Borders NHS Foundation Trust (SABP) in the newly transformed Reaching Out service as part of the Education pathway. The Reaching Out service focuses on engaging and supporting the most isolated and vulnerable children and young people through a multi-agency network.

The Education pathway works with young people in the Surrey short stay schools, who support students aged 5-16 who are not able to manage mainstream school with the goal of providing support for them to either return to their mainstream school or to move onto a specialist school.

Reaching Out have delivered a successful pilot of occupationally focused group interventions in Surrey short stay schools which is now embedded in the school timetables. You would be part of this newly developed innovative programme which has been well received by students and schools.

You would be part of our dynamic Occupational Therapy service which has developed innovative ways of delivering occupational therapy. We use Model of Human Occupation to guide all our occupational therapy assessments and interventions. The occupational therapy leadership team is committed to an extensive, coordinated CPD programme including a robust supervision structure, care group meetings, monthly forums and an annual conference. You have regular supervision from the professional lead and support from the service manager.

1 x Full-time position, working across schools in Surrey.

Main duties of the job

Under the supervision and guidance of the Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist, to deliver occupationally focused group programmes and providing individual interventions that meet the unique needs of children and young people.

To deliver a group programme in primary short stay schools to support young people with interoception and self-regulation, assisting students to identify their key their body signals, understand them and react to them appropriately to develop good body awareness and strategies to manage their emotions before they become whelming responses.

To deliver a group programme in secondary short stay schools to help young people think about how their everyday activities influence their physical, mental and emotional well-being. Increasing the students awareness of their routines and habits and provide opportunities to improve their resilience and confidence in social situations by engaging in a variety of activities.

To use outcome measures to evidence good practice and effectiveness of interventions.

About us

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of health and social care services for people of all ages with mental ill-health and learning disabilities in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We also provide social care services for people with a learning disability in Croydon and ASD and ADHD assessment services in Hampshire.

We actively seek to engage people who use our services and our communities in improving the mental wellbeing of the local population. We work closely with other NHS and voluntary sector organisations who provide services and support people who use services and carers.

Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast.

Our historic market towns and bustling districts are enveloped in wonderful countryside, and our excellent road and rail networks bring the rest of the country within easy reach. For international travel, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are nearby.

Job description Job responsibilities

My job makes better lives by supporting vulnerable children and young people who are struggling to participate in mainstream education to engage in an activity that is meaningful to them through the delivery of high quality, evidence based occupational therapy interventions.

Job Overview

This role will be part of the Education Pathway within the Reaching Out Service. The Reaching Out service focuses on engaging and supporting the most isolated and vulnerable children and young people through a multi-agency network. The Education Pathway focuses on supporting children and young people who are struggling to engage in mainstream school. Our expected outcomes would be that CYP develop the skills which would enable them to re-engage with education allowing them to reach their full potential. The pathway will provide occupational therapy interventions to Pupil Referral Units and selected mainstream schools.

Under the supervision and guidance of the Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist , the post holder will be responsible for delivering group programmes and providing individual interventions that meet the unique needs of children and young people with the goal of engaging children and young people in an occupation that is meaningful to them. A successful candidate must have excellent communication skills and an adaptable, non-judgmental approach enabling them to establish rapport and trust with vulnerable young people from a wide range of ages and backgrounds. This is a new pathway and therefore there will be opportunity for the post holder to support in the development of the pathway and programmes to best meet the needs of these young people.

Job Purpose

Key Responsibilities

Leadership

To contribute to the development of the education pathway and occupational programmes within it.

To participate in audits.

To represent occupational therapy within the multi-disciplinary team

To advocate and promote occupational therapy within the Trust

To support the delivery of continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities within services and divisions

To support clinical placements for occupational therapy students

To contribute to the development and implementation of appropriate policies, protocols and care pathways

To assist in induction of new staff and contribute to the wider strategic plans regarding occupational therapy recruitment

Clinical

To demonstrate occupational therapy skills in areas such as occupational identity and competency, occupational engagement, environmental adaptation, volition, development and maintenance of occupational skills.

To deliver group Occupational Therapy programmes, including Occupation Matters and Recovery Through Occupation, under the supervision of the Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist.

To deliver 1:1 occupational therapy interventions under the supervision of the Highly Occupational Therapist.

To use effective clinical reasoning and formulation skills to devise person-centred occupational therapy care plans, alongside people who access services and their carers/supporters/family members (where appropriate), with support/supervision from a Specialist Occupational Therapist.

To contribute to the evaluation the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions.

Be flexible in ways of working so the needs of vulnerable children and their voices are at the heart of how we work

Persistence and tenacity in building rapport and relationships with children and young people, who will often have complex backgrounds.

Being able to think creatively about how to engage with vulnerable children and young people and ability to adapt approach to suit needs.

Understanding a young persons needs/challenges and signposting to appropriate services to support that young person.

Being comfortable lone working with children and young people.

Being willing to do some outreach work to see young people within their environments such as home, park, cafes.

Ability to accurately and concisely document notes and risks onto system after sessions.

To complete comprehensive risk assessment and management plans, raising safeguarding concerns in line with Trust policy, with support/supervision from a specialist occupational therapist.

To keep up to date with current evidence-based practice, research and National guidelines within your clinical area.

To utilise therapeutic use of self skills when providing occupational therapy interventions.

To understand group theory and dynamics and how these impact on delivering group interventions.

To communicate complex and challenging issues in an effective and compassionate way with people who access services, carers/family members/supporters, other clinicians and agencies/services.

To effectively manage a caseload with people who have complex needs, with support/supervision from a Specialist Occupational Therapist.

To be compassionate, inclusive and understanding of the needs of people who access services, carers/supporter/family members.

To work in partnership with other community services and providers.

To demonstrate effective time management skills and manage caseload with support.

Professional

To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of clinical work and care.

To maintain high standards of care in all areas of practice in accordance with the HCPC Code of Conduct, Professional Guidelines and Trust Policies and Procedures.

To act within the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act (2005).

To be aware of and implement Safeguarding Adult and Child Protection Policies, Procedures and legislation.

To engage in your own CPD and the MDT preceptorship to ensure that you have the knowledge and skills to deliver high quality occupational therapy assessments and interventions.

To document assessments, interventions, evaluations and progress notes in a clear, timely and professional manner, in line with Trust policy.

To actively engage in your own supervision and appraisal.

To ensure confidentially in line with the Trusts policies and procedures.

To be an active member of the EWMH Alliance OT Professional Group and have a focus on peer support and new innovations to improve quality and outcomes across the Alliance

To contribute to a healthy and safe working environment by adhering to health and safety regulations and Trust policies.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Occupational Therapy professional qualification

Experience Essential

• Experience working within mental health (can be pre-qualified)
• Knowledge of occupational frames of reference and approaches
• Knowledge of relevant assessment and treatment models
• Knowledge of the impact of health and disability on occupational performance, participation and identity
• Interest and skills in specialist area
• UK driving license and access to a car for work purposes
• IT skills including ability to use a computer

Desirable

• Experience working with children and/or young adults (can be pre-qualification).
• Experience in delivering group work (can be pre-qualified).
• Suitable for someone who is passionate about engaging with vulnerable children and young people in a person centered, compassionate and inclusive way to enable individuals to engage in activities that are meaningful to them.

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
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Gatton Place

St. Matthews Road

Redhill

RH1 1TA

Employer's website
https://www.sabp.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

325-C9325-23-8016