This is a fixed-term, 12-month Occupational Therapist post in the Reconnect service, run by Sport for Confidence CIC, which supports people facing barriers to sport and physical activity. The role centres on assessing referrals, setting person-centred goals and delivering interventions that use physical activity as a therapeutic tool, within the Colchester Community Model. It is distinct for being embedded in leisure and community settings, working alongside sports coaches, GP practices and the Integrated Care Board, and for day-to-day supervision of coaches and volunteers. HCPC registration and at least one year as an Occupational Therapist are required.
What the job involves
- Manage referrals, complete initial Occupational Therapy assessments, and assess risk and priority
- Use standardised tools, activity analysis and observation to evaluate barriers to participation
- Co-produce person-centred goals and evidence-based plans using physical activity as a therapeutic medium
- Manage a varied caseload with 1:1 interventions such as anxiety management, activity adaptation, environmental modification and onward referrals
- Review progress regularly and complete pre and post outcome measures for each participant
- Work with multidisciplinary teams, GP practices, Primary Care Networks, Integrated Care Boards and community organisations to coordinate support
- Promote inclusive, co-produced practice for disabled people and those with long-term health conditions
- Build working relationships with Everyone Active, the leisure provider and the local authority
- Supervise and manage the day-to-day work of coaches and volunteers, and students when appropriate
- Support coaches to understand the therapeutic value of physical activity
- Keep clinical records, collect participation and audit data, and meet professional standards
- Contribute to service development, lead projects, promote the Occupational Therapy role and seek funding
What’s required
Qualifications
- Degree or diploma in Occupational Therapy
- Evidence of continuing professional and personal development, and taking responsibility for own development
Registration & licences
- Registered with the HCPC
Experience
- Minimum one year as an Occupational Therapist
- In-depth knowledge of working with physical disability, mental health, learning disability, autism and dementia
- Working with internal and external agencies, systemically and strategically
- Supervising coaches and volunteers
- Working autonomously and proactively, face to face or virtually, in a leisure centre with unpredictable schedules
Skills & knowledge
- Knowledge of safeguarding and disability legislation and policy
- Knowledge of health inequalities locally and nationally
- Assessing clinical situations and applying treatment independently, with creative problem-solving
- Prioritising a complex caseload
- Adapting communication to varied stakeholders, from participants and carers to statutory and voluntary services
- Negotiating reasonable adjustments with external staff
Other
- Managing conflict and complaints, including de-escalating aggression
- Coping with emergency, distressing and stressful situations
Nice to have
- Advocacy of the Occupational Therapist role
- Relevant experience working as an Occupational Therapist
- Experience of lone working
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Contact Details:
The Methodist Church in Britain Recruitment Team
