Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and motivated Integrated Therapy Assistant to support delivery of Occupational Therapy (OT) and Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) within the Expert at Hand (EaH) model, alongside contributing to community-based clinical caseloads within a highly regarded integrated children's community therapy service.
This post is funded through the 'Expert at Hand' SEND reform programme and offers a unique opportunity to support system-wide transformation. The role is likely to be extended, subject to ongoing funding and service development.
You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team, supporting early identification of need and delivery of targeted interventions, under the guidance of qualified therapists. The role will include supporting delivery of evidence-based interventions, modelling strategies in education settings, and contributing to training and workforce capacity building to embed inclusive practice and improve outcomes for children and young people.
You will support therapy delivery across a tiered model of provision, working with children and young people with a range of needs across health, education and social care contexts. This may include supporting group interventions, implementing therapy programmes, and contributing to the Expert at Hand offer within mainstream settings.
Main duties of the job
Job Summary: The post holder will support the efficient and effective delivery of integrated Occupational Therapy (OT) and Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) intervention to a caseload of children. This will include working under the direction and supervision of registered OTs and SaLTs to support community clinical caseloads and provision within settings, schools and specialist settings.
This role will include working as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), alongside professionals such as Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Educational Psychologists and Specialist Teachers, as part of the 'Expert at Hand' offer in line with recent SEND reforms. The post holder will support early identification of need and provide timely, evidence-based intervention within mainstream settings, contributing to a graduated response at a 'targeted plus' level.
About us
Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a high performing and flourishing organisation serving the population of Hackney, East London, The City and beyond.
We are extremely proud of the fact that Homerton Hospital has recently attained the highest possible rating of "Outstanding" from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Our integrated Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community health services for its local population and a range of specialist services for a wider group of patients. In addition, the Trust manages services out of St Leonard's Hospital and the Mary Seacole Nursing Home.
Homerton aims to ensure equality and value diversity, and we are committed to inclusion for all of our staff. This is reflected in our policies, procedures and People Plan. All of our staff are expected to embody our Trust values at all times.
We are also committed, through our Fair Recruitment Standards, to ensuring all applicants are treated fairly.
Homerton has a proud tradition of supporting and developing its staff, including its well-regarded and valued nursing community, and all staff are able to take advantage of a great range of benefits.
Homerton is proud to have been included on the HSJ & Nursing Times Best Places to Work list.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Detailed job description and person specification is attached the main duties are:
-
To support targeted and time-limited interventions within mainstream and community settings, model practical OT and SALT strategies under supervision, and assist with training and coaching activity for education staff to build capacity and support inclusive practice.
-
To work in partnership with education and health colleagues, under OT and SALT supervision, to support schools and other settings to meet the needs of children and young people within their everyday learning environments, reducing barriers to participation and supporting inclusive outcomes.
-
To support the efficient and effective day-to-day delivery of integrated OT and SALT input to children, including work within allocated mainstream and special schools, with input and supervision from highly specialist OTs and SALTs.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- o Relevant Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience in health, education, social care, child development, communication support or therapy assistance.
- Evidence of CPD or willingness to undertake training relevant to OT, SaLT, SEND and inclusive practice.
- Functional literacy, numeracy and IT skills to support clinical record keeping, resources and data collection.
Desirable
- Relevant Level 4 qualification or experience working as a therapy assistant
- o Training related to communication support, sensory needs, child development, SEND or education settings
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children and young people.
- Experience of working in health, education, community, early years or SEND settings
- Experience of supporting delivery of programmes, groups, interventions or learning activities.
- Experience of working collaboratively with families, carers or education staff
Desirable
- Experience of working alongside Occupational Therapy or Speech and Language Therapy services.
- Experience supporting children with communication, sensory, coordination, physical or learning needs.
- Experience contributing to training, modelling strategies or inclusive practice in education settings.
Knowledge / Understanding
Essential
- Understanding of child development and the impact of communication, sensory, physical, coordination and learning needs on participation.
- Understanding of confidentiality, safeguarding and professional boundaries.
- Understanding of the role of therapy assistants working under supervision.
- Awareness of SEND, graduated response and inclusive practice within education settings.
Desirable
- Knowledge of Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy approaches used with children and young people.
- Awareness of Expert at Hand or targeted intervention models within schools
- Knowledge of outcome measures, therapy programmes or communication support resources.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Able to work under the direction of registered Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists
- Able to implement delegated therapy programmes accurately and provide feedback to supervisors
- Able to communicate effectively with children, families, carers, education staff and MDT colleagues.
- Able to model agreed strategies in education and community settings.
- Able to maintain accurate records and support data collection
- Able to prioritise delegated work and seek support appropriately.
- Able to work flexibly across community, clinic and education settings.
Desirable
- Able to support groups, training sessions or coaching activity.
- Able to prepare visual, sensory, communication or functional resources
- Able to contribute to service evaluation or audit.
Other
Essential
- A commitment to equal opportunities and inclusive practice.
- Ability and willingness to travel around the Borough.
- Ability to respond to changing service priorities and work as part of an integrated OT/SLT team.
Desirable
- Experience working within a diverse community setting
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Community Sites
Homerton Healthcare
London
E9 6SR
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.homerton.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
This listing was aggregated from publicly-available sources. The employer holds an A-rated sponsor licence at the time of this listing, but sponsorship of this specific role is not guaranteed — the employer's offer and UK Visas and Immigration are the final authority. Details may have changed since our last update — verify with the employer via the Apply link.