Occupational Therapist

JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Occupational Therapist Reporting to: Head of Learning Support and Assessment Location: Middletown Centre for Autism Job Purpose: As an integral member of the Transdisciplinary Learning Support and Assessment (LSA) team for autistic children and young people, the post holder will assist in organising, delivering and ensuring an equitable and competent service to children and young people referred to the service. The post holder will coordinate and deliver assessment and support to autistic children, implementing a Learning Support Plan at home and in school. A key role will be enabling parents and professionals to deliver recommendations for educational goals. The post holder will provide specialist Occupational Therapy assessment and make recommendations to be incorporated into Learning Support Plans within the transdisciplinary team. The post holder is responsible for assessment and recommendations in accordance with professional standards as well as maintaining a high level of knowledge of Occupational Therapy programmes and approaches for children with autism. The post holder will be expected to work with children and young people in Northern Ireland and occasionally in the Republic of Ireland to deliver services and training to parents and professionals in both jurisdictions. The Centre recognises and supports neurodiversity, and the post holder will be expected to support neurodivergent learners within the school, home and community setting. Key Areas of Responsibility Assessment and Specialist Support Provide specialist advice to assist the team in carrying out their assessments. To deliver specialist assessments to children and young people in consultation with the Head of Learning Support and Assessment, and the transdisciplinary team. To plan and make recommendations for individual Occupational Therapy goals to be incorporated into a child or young persons educational Learning Support Plan. Liaise and work co-operatively with a wide range of external agencies, families of children and young people and internal staff to assist and advise on therapy goals relating to children and young people referred to Learning Support and Assessment. Plan, in co-ordination with first level services, Learning Support Plan goals for individual children and young people in pre-school, nursery, primary, post primary, special schools and other settings as appropriate. Assist in developing an ongoing evaluation of all aspects of the educational input to the trans-disciplinary assessment in consultation with the Head of Learning Support and Assessment and the trans-disciplinary team. Advise on sensory processing differences which may impact on a child or young persons sensory and emotional regulation and their learning and interaction styles. To act in a consultative capacity for educational, health professionals and carers on matters relating to Occupational Therapy practice. To ensure recommendations are evaluated and reviewed. To provide training and support in autism specific topics and methodologies to parents, carers and professional staff on individual approaches for children and young people throughout the island of Ireland. Transdisciplinary Work Transdisciplinary working involves one team member delivering the entire learning support plan including the delivery of recommendations of other team members (with their support as required). To coordinate the assessment, and to integrate recommendations into a Learning Support Plan for children and young people referred to the Centre. To deliver the Learning Support Plan through direct support for children and young people in school and home settings, and to support parents and professionals in implementing recommendations. Support the work of colleagues in incorporating Occupational Therapy recommendations into the delivery of Learning Support Plans for children and young people who are referred to the Learning, Support and Assessment Service. Co-ordinate a team approach in relation to the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes for autistic children and young people in their school setting, at home and in the community. Assist in the training of staff in the integration of the recommendations based on the assessment outcomes and provide them with guidance in the execution of their duties. Professional and Organisational Skills Work co-jointly with staff from the Learning, Support and Assessment Service and the Research and Development Service to provide pertinent information relevant to ongoing research at the Centre. Work with team members from the Learning, Support and Assessment Service within a clear framework for the provision of Occupational Therapy advice and support to parents and professionals. Work with the Research and Development Division to develop content for training related to Occupational Therapy practice for children and young people referred to the Centre. Promote and participate in continuing professional development with members of the Learning, Support and Assessment Service and the Research and Development team. Enhance the teams specialist knowledge of Occupational Therapy support for autistic children and young people and promote an awareness of current best practice. To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of the service, actively influencing service improvement. To ensure that the service provided is in keeping with policies and strategies relating to childrens services also professional standards, procedures and objectives of quality assurance and remain consistent with best practice. To ensure compliance with the professional standards for Occupational Therapy practice, conduct and ethics as stipulated by the relevant registration bodies. To maintain accurate and up to date records consistent with organisational and professional requirements. To make available reports when required to all relevant agencies and professional colleagues. To assist in ensuring the highest possible standards of education for children and young people referred to the Learning, Support and Assessment Service. Communication Assist in the interpretation and delivery of the specialist assessment and resulting educational recommendations for parents and professionals. Work co-jointly with first level staff in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland supporting autistic children and young people, promoting coherence in the development and delivery of educational plans. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, tailoring content to the target audience. To participate in the provision of training to staff, students and other professionals as appropriate in relation to the children and young people referred to the Learning, Support and Assessment Service. General Principles The post holder shall at all times, uphold and comply with the Centres Equal Opportunities Policy. The post holder shall at all times, uphold and comply with the Centres policy on the Protection of Children and Young People in an Educational Setting. The Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (NI) Order 2003 (POCVA) The post for which you are applying is governed by The Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (Northern Ireland) Order 2003. Before appointing anyone to such a post, it is imperative for the relevant check to be carried out by Access NI or the Garda Vetting Office, as appropriate. This check is to make sure those individuals who might be a risk to children and/or vulnerable adults are not appointed. The check will indicate if you have a criminal record or if your name is included on the DHSSPS Disqualification from Working with Children List or included on the DE List and/or the DHSSPS Disqualified from Working with Vulnerable Adults List. Any information received will be treated confidentially and will be discussed with candidates before a final decision is reached. After the decision is made the information will be destroyed. N.B.The list of duties is not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive. The post holder may be required to undertake various other duties as deemed necessary and commensurate with the level of responsibility of the post. The Centre reserves the right to update the job description from time to time to reflect the changing needs of the Service in consultation with the post holder. This post will provide an opportunity for the successful candidate to develop a high level of expertise in the development of assessment and training methodologies both internal and external to the Centre and the successful candidate will also be expected to maintain and develop their knowledge, skills and expertise through engagement in a range of continuous professional development activities. PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION Job Title: Occupational Therapist Reporting to: Head of Learning Support and Assessment Essential Criteria: Applicants must be able to demonstrate on their application form how they meet each element of the following essential criteria by the closing date: Degree in Occupational Therapy as recognised by the College of Occupational Therapists or Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland.* Registration with, or eligibility to register, with the Health Professions Council (UK) and/or CORU (Ireland). Evidence of Continuing Professional Development in topics related to Sensory Processing. A proven track record in continuing your professional development (through appropriate courses of study) and attaining high level skills in relation to autistic children and young people. Demonstrate experience in supporting neurodivergent learners. Have a minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience in delivering Occupational Therapy assessments and implementation of Occupational Therapy programmes to autistic children and young people. A current full driving licence and access to a vehicle or access to a form of transport which will allow the post holder to fully satisfy the travel requirements of the post. *Overseas qualifications will be acceptable where there is clear evidence from UK ENIC that the qualification is an equivalent level and grade to the minimum requirements, and that you meet the specific criteria. Desirable Criteria: If a large number of applications are received, it may be necessary to carry out a further shortlisting exercise to reduce the number of candidates to be invited for interview. In such circumstances the following desirable criteria may be assessed: Holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Sensory Integration with Sensory Integration Education. Holds or working towards a post graduate qualification on an autism specific course of study. Applicants must be able to demonstrate their competence at interview in the areas outlined in the Job Description section. Travel requirements of the post. The work associated with this post will require travel throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as required. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT Salary: This post is being offered at points 36 39 of the NJC Salary Scale, currently £44,428 - £47,420 per annum, pro-rate for part-time staff. Contracted Hours: Preferably 5 days per week Would consider a part time arrangement for at least 3 days per week. Location: Middletown Centre for Autism, post holder will be required to travel throughout Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland as required. Post Status: Permanent. Continuous Service: The Centre will recognise anyprevious service in any of the organisations included in Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government, etc.) (Modification) Order (Northern Ireland) 1999. This includes any service within education. Annual Leave: 25 days per annum, rising to 31 days after 5 years continuous service, plus public and privilege holidays (previous continuous service within education will be recognised). Pension: Middletown Centre for Autism is a member of NILGOSC pension scheme. Successful applicants are eligible to contribute to this scheme. (Teachers wishing to continue contributions to the NI Teachers Superannuation Scheme may continue to do so while in employment at Middletown Centre for Autism). Probationary Period: The post holder will normally be required to serve a 6-month probationary period. Middletown Centre for Autism is an equal opportunities employer.

Location: Armagh, GB

Posted Date: 10/22/2024