Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our CarePoint Team as a Senior Practitioner Occupational Therapist, supporting complex cases and team development.
- Company: West Sussex County Council serves over 850,000 residents, fostering a diverse and supportive work culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a flexible part-time schedule.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in people's lives while working in a collaborative and innovative environment.
- Qualifications: You need a recognised Occupational Therapy qualification, HCPC registration, and experience in complex assessments.
- Other info: This role requires a valid driving licence and offers a chance to grow your career in occupational therapy.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About Us
West Sussex County Council is a diverse organisation that provides services to more than 850,000 residents every day. This is a great opportunity to join us as a Senior Practitioner Occupational Therapist in our friendly CarePoint Team that prides itself on their supportive culture. CarePoint provides a first point of contact for customers requiring a needs assessment under the Care Act 2014. It also provides an access and triage point for referrals from the police. The aim of Adult Care Point 2 - Initial Contact (ACP2) is to meet need at the earliest opportunity in a person's journey.
As part of a multi-disciplinary team that supports, prevents, reduces and delays the need for long term services, you will provide specialist advice to social care professionals and social workers within the ACP2 team. We provide a working environment that values professional supervision and support. This provides our workforce with what they need to deliver the best possible outcomes for our residents. We work to ensure that innovation and evidence-based practice underpins what we do and that we maintain an environment within which our occupational therapists can develop and progress in their careers. If you have the talent and ambition to achieve the best for the people we serve, then we will support you to progress and develop throughout your occupational therapy career.
About The Job
- Salary: £46,731 to £49,764 pro rata (£30,312 to £32,279 per annum for 24 hours per week)
- Working Pattern: Part time, 24 hours per week
- Contract Type: Permanent
- Location: Horsham office base
We are seeking a Senior Practitioner Occupational Therapist to join our dynamic Care Point 2 team, supporting and deputising for the Team Manager in day-to-day operations, team development, and performance management. You need a strong understanding of advanced occupational therapy theories, methods, and concepts. You will need detailed organisational knowledge relating to the delivery of professional Occupational Therapy services, particularly in managing complex cases.
You should have an advanced understanding of key interventions, including:
- Strengths-based and solution-focused practice
- Systemic and evidence-based decision-making
- A strong grasp of the wider organisational landscape - including health, housing, education, and statutory, voluntary, and independent sectors
Additionally, you will need knowledge of management strategies to confidently handle internal and external challenges. You will model, coach, and develop others, using your supervisory and leadership skills to enhance best practice, professional standards, and service outcomes.
What We're Looking For
- A confident communicator who can handle complex situations with compassion and empathy
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to work autonomously and flexibly
- Sound IT and keyboard skills
- A qualified Occupational Therapist with Fieldwork Educators accreditation and experience in clinical/fieldwork education
- The ability to lead, coach, and influence best practices within the team
- Willingness to travel across the county - some locations may not be easily accessible by public transport
Experience and Skills
Please review the role profile for the full list of key skills, qualifications and key skills required to be considered for this role, ensuring you cover each point, with examples as appropriate, within your application. To be considered for this role you are required to have the following:
- Diploma/BSc Occupational Therapy or recognised equivalent Occupational Therapy qualification.
- Registration with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- Experience of undertaking assessments in complex situations and occupational therapy intervention planning, implementation, and review by means of creative and pragmatic solutions.
- Extensive experience of working in partnership with those who access the service and maintaining a focus on the needs and strengths of the people, and the outcomes they want to achieve, whilst handling conflict and disagreement.
- Experience of managing risk within a risk enablement approach.
- Excellent, up-to-date working knowledge of relevant legislation e.g., Care Act (2014), Mental Capacity Act (2005) etc.
- Valid, full driving licence.
Further Information
For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our Rewards and Benefits page. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to HCPC registration, an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check. West Sussex County Council is an equal opportunities employer committed to promoting an environment that is inclusive and free from all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination and values the diversity of its people. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and take every possible step to ensure that no individual will be disadvantaged.
Senior Practitioner Occupational Therapist employer: West Sussex County Council
Contact Detail:
West Sussex County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner Occupational Therapist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Care Act 2014 and other relevant legislation. Understanding these laws will not only help you in your role but also demonstrate your commitment to the principles that guide the work at West Sussex County Council.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your experience in managing complex cases during any informal discussions or networking opportunities. This will highlight your capability to handle the challenges that come with the Senior Practitioner role.
✨Tip Number 3
Connect with current or former employees of the CarePoint Team on platforms like LinkedIn. They can provide insights into the team culture and expectations, which can be invaluable for tailoring your approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your leadership and coaching experiences in detail. The role requires you to model best practices, so being ready to share specific examples will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Practitioner Occupational Therapist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before you start writing, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Senior Practitioner Occupational Therapist position. Highlight your relevant experience and how it aligns with the job description.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the role. Emphasise your qualifications, such as your Diploma/BSc in Occupational Therapy, HCPC registration, and any specific experience in managing complex cases.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for occupational therapy and your understanding of the Care Act 2014. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your ability to handle complex situations with compassion and empathy.
Highlight Key Skills: In your application, ensure you address the key skills mentioned in the job description. Provide concrete examples of your experience in risk management, working with diverse populations, and your knowledge of relevant legislation like the Mental Capacity Act.
How to prepare for a job interview at West Sussex County Council
✨Showcase Your Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your advanced understanding of occupational therapy theories and methods. Highlight specific examples from your experience where you've successfully managed complex cases, demonstrating your ability to apply these theories in practice.
✨Communicate with Compassion
As a Senior Practitioner, you'll need to handle complex situations with empathy. During the interview, share instances where you've effectively communicated with clients or colleagues in challenging circumstances, showcasing your compassionate approach.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since the role involves coaching and developing others, be ready to discuss your leadership experiences. Provide examples of how you've influenced best practices within a team and supported colleagues in their professional development.
✨Know the Legislation
Familiarise yourself with relevant legislation such as the Care Act 2014 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Be prepared to discuss how this knowledge has informed your practice and decision-making in previous roles.
