Occupational Therapist - Physical Disability and Older Peoples Team

We are looking for a qualified Occupational Therapist to join the Physical Disability and Older People (PDOP) Social Care team at Reading Borough Council (RBC). Where you are in your career journey, we’re committed to offering the support and development you need. We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion are key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

As an Occupational Therapist you will be part of a friendly and supportive team. We are looking for individuals who can demonstrate great communication skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with colleagues, services users, and health care providers. We support hybrid working. We design arrangements to enable our employees to excel and allow this role to work in a way that suits your lifestyle.

About the Team: The PDOP Team works closely with other teams at RBC who are involved with the delivery of Adult Social Care. The PDOP team forms part of the Living Well Service of ASC where the Mental Health and Learning Disability and Autism (LDA) team are also members. A Head of Service oversees all work and responsibilities of the Living Well Service. PDOP is a multi‑disciplinary team comprised of Occupational Therapists, Social Workers and Social Care Coordinators. We provide the next step in assessment and support planning to people who are 18 years and over and have a long-term physical disability or are over 65 years old.

About the Role: The team is focused on supporting people who require unplanned reviews of their existing care and support, or who have been identified by the Advice and Well Being Hub in need of ongoing care and support. We operate and adhere to the legal framework for adults: Care Act 2014, MCA 2005, DoLS 2008 (and where appropriate Mental Health Act 1983), and work alongside Moving and Handling guidance and BAOT’s code of ethics. We pride ourselves on working with people in a strengths‑based way to promote wellbeing, rights and independence, prevent the need for care and bring about timely interventions with positive outcomes.

You will hold a varied caseload and contribute to the team performance and positive outcomes for our residents of Reading. Using a strengths‑based approach and your unique OT skill set you will support individuals with long‑term physical disabilities and the elderly population of Reading, to find solutions, promote wellbeing and healthy occupations through a variety of interventions including provision of equipment, adaptations, moving and handling, goal planning and risk assessments. You will work closely with care providers, Housing Services and Health colleagues.

You Will Need to:

• Have a degree in Occupational Therapy
• Be Registered with HCPC
• Community experience is helpful but not essential

We offer excellent support, supervision and induction. You will have access to our Learning and Development programme and be supported in your career and personal growth with opportunities to learn and develop new professional skills, helping you to build your Continuing Professional Development portfolio and grow as an Occupational Therapist. We work closely with our colleagues in Reading Borough Council, Health Professionals, Voluntary and Charity colleagues to facilitate the best possible outcomes for those people we support.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success.

Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

• Work Together as one team – work collaboratively with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do.
• Drive Efficiency – show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency.
• Take responsibility for your own learning and development and for reaching your potential.
• Be Ambitious – be demanding of your own performance, strive to be even better, and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
• Make a Difference to Reading – maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

Our Offer:

• Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years of service, with the option to buy additional leave.
• Maternity, adoption, parental and sick pay.
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities.
• Access to a range of training and learning opportunities to help you develop.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• On‑site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted.
• Season Ticket Loan – a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey to and from work.

Closing date: Applications reviewed upon submission. Interview date: To be confirmed. For more information you may contact Pip Durant (PDOP Team Manager) on 07815 701 876 or pippa.durant@reading.gov.uk. Visit www.moretoreading.co.uk to find out more about Reading’s Community & Adult Social Care Services.