Senior Occupational Therapist in Housing x 2 in Essex

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and experienced housing Occupational Therapist with experience in major adaptations to develop and support local district and borough councils. You’ll be working alongside Environmental Health and Housing Officers across West Essex to facilitate the safe and early discharge of people from hospital, residential/nursing placements and hospices. The post will involve working with adults and children with life‑limiting conditions and life‑altering injuries to prevent formal care placements. You will support early discharges and ensure adaptations are completed efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Completing holistic assessments that include all housing factors impacting on the individual and their household.
• Working alongside Health colleagues to assist with processing referrals to achieve safe, early discharge and prevent delays.
• Referring to universal services where appropriate and liaising with other colleagues, including Family Operations, to meet the needs of the individual.
• Seeking to resolve needs associated with specific impairments by the provision of equipment, support and sign‑posting to alternative services where appropriate.
• Making recommendations based on assessed need for the provision of certain property types, adaptations and equipment, taking account of both Health and Housing policy and legislation.
• Progressing and supporting recommendations where specialist input is required.
• Monitoring progress of the referral pathway and providing data to support the project and predicted cost savings.
• Working alongside Housing Officers to support Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) funded recommendations.
• Ensuring referrals are reviewed and progressed effectively so that adaptations are completed efficiently.
• Supporting Case Options Panels (COP) when solutions to meet assessed needs are not easily identifiable and options need to be explored through a multi‑disciplinary approach including adults, children and families.
• Mentoring Health and Community OTs involved with complex adaptations to ensure the best possible solutions are achieved for the adult or child.
• Providing training where required to ensure Health colleagues understand the DFG process and adaptations that would enable effective and efficient discharge home for adults and children.
• Being creative in developing the services provided by Housing by working with local and district councils to provide the best possible solutions for those adults and children who have the greatest need, thereby reducing the length of time spent in hospital, hospice or residential/nursing care.
• Managing a small number of allocated cases and cases that have been assessed by a Health or Social Care OT to support the Housing Officers.

This role involves travelling around Essex and beyond. A driving licence and car, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means, is essential.

About You

• Qualified Occupational Therapist or equivalent qualification, with current Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration.
• Significant experience in a social care setting, demonstrating a comprehensive and up to date understanding of all relevant legislation, regulation and guidance including the Care Act, Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty and Court of Protection procedures, Housing and Regeneration Act.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering major adaptations.
• Experience of mentoring both newly qualified and experienced staff and being a subject matter expert in professional practice.
• Experience of chairing meetings involving clients, family members and/or carers and other multi‑agency professionals.
• Ability to develop strong relationships with partners, other agencies and the local community.
• Understanding of the financial implications of care packages commissioned.
• Proven track record of clear decision making in order to highlight and limit the potential risks associated with intervention.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

What We Offer

• Ongoing opportunities for continuing professional development.
• Flexible working options.
• Employee wellbeing and counselling.
• Lease Car scheme.
• Life assurance of three times annual salary.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Volunteering leave.
• 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising with service.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – access to free and confidential information, support and guidance from a team of highly qualified professionals.
• Employee Networks – communities to support you, connect you and help influence change at ECC.
• Payment of HCPC registration fees.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we value diversity and inclusion.