This is an exciting time to join our recently established Birth to Settled Adulthood Service, working with young people and their families with disabilities from birth to adulthood. The service is made up of several teams including social care, early help, short breaks, young carers and paediatric occupational therapy.
This is a unique opportunity to be part of a service in development to better support our disabled young people prepare for adulthood and have successful outcomes.
You will be part of a service who are committed and passionate about ensuring the disabled children and young people of Dorset access support at the right time by the right service.
You will be working in a friendly and collaborative team with a range of expertise and skill where you can expect a high level of support and access to a wide range of career development opportunities. You will have regular supervision and attend team meetings as well as wider service meetings to support your continued professional development.
What you can expect to be doing:
In this role, you'll manage a varied caseload including assessments, equipment provision, and adaptations (both minor and major) tailored to each child's unique needs. Working closely with social care colleagues and adult services, you'll help ensure a seamless transition for young people moving into adulthood. Your collaborative partnerships will extend to health professionals, education teams, housing services, the Dorset Accessible Homes Service, Integrated Equipment Service, and external specialists including builders and architects.
The successful applicant will be expected to work in close liaison with our colleagues from the social care teams and form links with adult services to promote seamless transition from Children to Adult Services. Therapists work in close liaison with a wide range of partners including Health, Education, Housing, Dorset Accessible Homes Service, the Integrated Equipment Service, builders, architects, surveyors and equipment providers.
The Occupational Therapy team operate from two local offices:
Dorchester Local Office in Dorchester that covers the West and North Dorset areas
Westport House, Wareham covering the East of the county
About you:
You will be a highly experienced, qualified, Paediatric Occupational Therapist with significant experience in moving and handling as well as adaptation work and knowledge of specialist paediatric equipment.
You must hold an appropriate qualification (BSc or equivalent) in Occupational Therapy and hold a current registration certificate with the HCPC and understand the disability issues and the impacts on children, parents and families, child development and family dynamics.
You will have demonstrable understanding of children’s statutory safeguarding procedures and a fundamental understanding of childcare legislation and current working practices.
You will have experience of working with children and/or adults who are disabled, experience of working with children and families. The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential.
You will receive regular and effective supervision and appropriate training will be provided for you to undertake the role and to meet professional development requirements.