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- Tasks: Help children and families by assessing housing needs and providing tailored solutions.
- Company: Join a passionate team at Oxfordshire County Council dedicated to improving lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, 30 days annual leave, and relocation allowance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working collaboratively with diverse professionals.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified Occupational Therapist with experience in housing adaptations.
- Other info: We value diversity and offer guaranteed interviews for disabled applicants and care leavers.
The predicted salary is between 31000 - 37000 £ per year.
About Us
Would you like a job that makes a real difference to people's lives? Are you motivated to work in creative ways to improve the quality of life for children and young people and their families? We are a small team of Occupational Therapists and Support Officers who are determined to make a big difference in the lives of the children, young people and families that we work with. We are looking for qualified Occupational Therapists (OTs) with some experience in housing adaptations and equipment to use their skills and knowledge to provide high quality housing OT solutions. This experience may have been gained in a professional capacity, as a Student or as a Qualified OT or outside of practice. Although desirable, experience of working in Children's Services is not essential.
The Children’s Housing OT service works in partnership with young people and parents, Health, Education and Social Service professionals to provide a holistic service across the whole of Oxfordshire. Our service is built on partnership working, ensuring that local councils and Housing Associations are included in solution planning and we have evolved close working relationships to enable this. We constantly face new challenges and, working with external agencies, we aim to continue to develop innovative solutions to help meet families’ evolving needs.
As a service we have:
- Worked with councils to purchase properties to help meet families’ specific needs and designed bespoke adaptations as part of this provision
- Established additional funding methods to enable higher value project completions
- Encouraged and enabled families to manage their own Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) projects to promote more timely interventions
- Contributed to local initiatives reviewing the delivery of and the value offered by DFG’s.
About the Role
This post involves working with children and their families at home and assessing for appropriate housing adaptations and equipment. Training and skill development opportunities will be provided on an ongoing basis and the post holder will be supported by the wider team as well as the Manager of the Children’s Housing OT Service. You will have the opportunity to work with children and young people who have a wide range of complex developmental and physical needs including conditions such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy and Muscular Dystrophy. You will drive to see the children at home and you will work with partners in Health, Social Services and the District/City Councils in providing solutions to help meet assessed needs. This post sits within the wider Children’s Social Care team and will be involved in contributing to service development and implementing evidence-based practice.
Key responsibilities include:
- Assessing children’s needs in their home environments and developing solutions, in partnership with them and their families
- Writing up formal assessments, re-housing reports and specifications following assessments
- Designing adaptations that meet identified needs and working with local partner agencies to enable successful outcomes
- Managing a busy caseload, ensuring that recommendations and referrals are followed up in a timely manner
- Being an advocate for the children and families that we work with and ensuring that their voice remains central to the work that we do
About you
This job is for an OT who is enthusiastic, motivated and determined that their role will make a difference for the children and families that we work with. Together, we’re shaping children’s social care for the future. Every day, our colleagues are helping to transform the lives of the residents of Oxfordshire. We want you to be passionate about being a part of this. We would like to hear from you if you are:
- A qualified Occupational Therapist with housing adaptations experience (either as a Student, OT or in a personal capacity) and are registered with HCPC
- Kind and caring, with an empathy for the people that we work with and a respect for individuals’ diversities, qualities and abilities
- Able to demonstrate professional and personal integrity through everyday interactions
- Willing to embrace learning and development opportunities in all that you do
- Driven to think differently and innovate to ensure successful service, professional and personal outcomes
Rewards and Benefits
Competitive salary from £37,035 - £43,693. Relocation allowance of up to £8,000. Annual leave starting at 30 days per year (plus bank holidays). A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Flexible working. Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24x7. Range of family-friendly policies. Childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, electric car scheme, range of staff discounts including travel, holidays, insurance, food, health & leisure activities. Excellent learning and development opportunities.
Curious to learn more? Contact our friendly team for a confidential and informative chat! Team Manager Michael Roche (michael.roche@oxfordshire.gov.uk)
Our commitment to: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
Our commitment to: Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Our commitment to: Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Our commitment to: Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
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If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Children\'s Housing Occupational Therapist employer: Oxfordshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Oxfordshire County Council Recruiting Team
michael.roche@oxfordshire.gov.uk
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Children\'s Housing Occupational Therapist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children and young people who require housing adaptations. Understanding conditions like Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and Muscular Dystrophy will help you demonstrate your commitment and knowledge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of children's services and housing adaptations. Engaging with local councils, health professionals, and social services can provide valuable insights and connections that may benefit your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your innovative thinking by preparing examples of how you've approached problem-solving in previous roles. Highlighting your ability to think creatively about housing solutions will resonate well with our team.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss your approach to partnership working. Since collaboration is key in this role, demonstrating your experience in working with families and other agencies will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Children\'s Housing Occupational Therapist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the key responsibilities and requirements. Highlight your relevant experience in housing adaptations and working with children, even if it was in a personal capacity.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect the skills and experiences that align with the role of a Children's Housing Occupational Therapist. Emphasise your qualifications, any relevant training, and your ability to work collaboratively with families and other professionals.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for making a difference in children's lives. Use specific examples from your experience to demonstrate your empathy, integrity, and innovative thinking in providing solutions.
Highlight Your Commitment to Learning: Mention your willingness to embrace ongoing training and development opportunities. This shows that you are proactive about improving your skills and staying updated on best practices in occupational therapy.
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxfordshire County Council
✨Show Your Passion for Helping Children
Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for working with children and families. Share any personal experiences or motivations that drive you to make a difference in their lives, as this role is all about empathy and support.
✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge of Housing Adaptations
Be prepared to discuss your experience with housing adaptations and equipment. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully assessed needs and implemented solutions, showcasing your problem-solving skills and creativity.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with various professionals, be ready to talk about your experience in collaborative settings. Discuss how you’ve effectively partnered with others in health, education, or social services to achieve positive outcomes.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle real-life situations. Think of scenarios where you had to advocate for a child or family, manage a busy caseload, or innovate solutions under pressure, and be ready to share your thought process.
