Occupational Therapist (Children with Disabilities) in Southampton

We have an exciting opportunity for a permanent part time (30hrs), paediatric social care Occupational Therapist to join Southampton City Council in the Jigsaw Service (Children with Disabilities).

About the role:

We are looking for an Occupational Therapist who is passionate about working with children with disabilities to join our genuinely supportive team. You would hold a varied, complex caseload building your skills in assessing for and recommending adaptations, equipment, moving & handling plans and re-housing for children with a disability in Southampton.

In June 2023, Children Services in Southampton were rated 'Good' with 'Outstanding' leadership by Ofsted. Never has there been a better time to join a Local Authority and Service that is good across all areas, with a clear focus on building trusting, transparent relationships from a strengths-based approach, which continues to improve.

About the team:

The Jigsaw team is a well-established service known for its high staff retention and supportive working environment. As part of the Safeguarding Service, we work closely within a multidisciplinary team to deliver coordinated assessments, care planning, and therapeutic interventions for children and young people with multiple and complex disabilities. Our aim is to help children live safely and comfortably within their family homes.

We want all children and young people in Southampton to have a good start in life, so that they can fulfil their potential and become successful adults engaged in their local communities. The council, Health services and other partners are committed to working jointly to ensure that children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), their families and carers receive the support they need, when they need it, so that they can achieve and inspire in all aspects of their lives.

The team consists of Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, and Family Practitioners, we work closely with NHS colleagues and other council teams.

Being part of the Southampton City Council team requires people who are willing to take personal responsibility for delivering excellence, to work with others to achieve the best possible outcomes, to embrace change and new opportunities, to make the most of the resources available to us and to think and act in the best interests of our children, young people and their families. This truly is an opportunity to bring your innovation, creativity and challenge to making positive changes that result in better quality of life for children and young people.

About you:

We are looking for a qualified skilled, experienced, knowledgeable and enthusiastic individual to undertake the role of an Occupational Therapist in our social care children with disabilities Occupational Therapy team. The role requires you to have strong assessment skills and a good understanding of both minor and major adaptations that can benefit children with complex disabilities. You will need the skills and ability to identify and solve environmental challenges creatively, using practical problem‐solving skills to enable children and families to live safely and independently.

Key Responsibilities:

• Committed to working with empathy, care and respect for children and their families.
• Undertaking assessments and developing plans for children within the remit of social care occupational therapy.
• Managing your own caseload effectively.
• Working as part of a wider multidisciplinary team with social workers, learning disability nurses and occupational therapists, education providers and health care practitioners.
• Liaising with the Home Adaptations team and Housing Allocations teams within SCC.
• Support where appropriate with applications for housing adaptations.
• Assess and support with paediatric equipment.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Engage with families to support and signpost to other services as appropriate.

Requirements:

• Qualified Occupational Therapist.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Experience working within local authority frameworks.
• Knowledge of paediatric equipment and housing adaptations.
• Valid driver's license and access to a car for work‐related travel.

What we can offer you:

Salary: The salary band for this role is £41,771 - £46,141 per annum (pro rata). The starting salary is £41,771 with annual progression through the salary bands.

Here at SCC we have a range of different benefits, a few examples can be found below:

• Excellent local government pension with 15.2% employer contribution.
• Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution).
• Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service.
• Flexible working options (role-dependent).
• Family‐friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents.
• Training and development, including coaching and mentoring.
• Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks.
• Veteran‐friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant.
• Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform.
• Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres.
• Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans.
• Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer.

For further information on our benefits package please visit Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk).