Occupational Therapy Assistant - Req24634

Job title:Occupational Therapy Assistant
Salary: C1
Hours: 18.5 hours
Contract: Permanent
Location: Assisted Living Leeds – although move to another office is planned.

The Blue Badge Eligibility Assessment Team are looking for a part time Occupational Therapy Assistant to join their team.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As Occupational Therapy Assistant you will have good:

• Communication skills 
• Be able to undertake telephone assessments, using a matrix, to determine people’s eligibility for a Blue Badge
• Undertake face to face mobility assessments to determine eligibility
• Work on screening of new referrals and cross referring across a range of electronic systems to gather appropriate information.

About the role

The BBEAT is an Occupational Therapy lead team who carry out assessments for people who have applied for a Blue Badge due to visible and/or non-visible conditions. The assessment process aims to establish whether a person has very considerable difficulty walking due to conditions that are enduring and substantial.  

The team is comprised of one Senior Occupational Therapist, one graduate Occupational Therapist, two full time equivalent Occupational Therapy assistants, two admin support officers and an Occupational Therapy manager.

In order to determine eligibility the team initially electronically screen all applications for Blue badges for people who do not meet the automatic qualification for a Blue Badge. Information is cross referenced with information available to determine eligibility.

If further information is required a telephone or face to face assessment is conducted by the team. These assessments take place at Assisted Living Leeds in a designated assessment area outside the building.

The team also liaises with a range of professionals to requesting expert reports to determine eligibility.

The Occupational Therapy staff conduct robust assessment often leading to advice and signposting people to relevant services as part of their assessment.

What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Apply for this job online. Please complete the online application form

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please Katy Portlock, Disability Team Manager Tel: 0113 3784657, Mob: 07712217234, Katherine.portlock@leeds.gov.uk

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job purpose 

Under the direction of the Disability Team Manager, and regular supervision from a registered Occupational Therapist, to provide Occupational Therapy, including assessments and service provision, to disabled people, deemed appropriate for OTAs, during the duty screening process, in the community, residential and supported living and to support the work of registered Occupational Therapists. Flexible working arrangements, including evening and/or weekends, may be necessary on occasion to complete on-going casework, emergency situations, evening visits or meetings.

Responsibilities 

• Undertake assessments for with needs, deemed appropriate for OTAs, during the duty screening process, where the provision of equipment and adaptations would support independence.   
• With supervision, to carry a caseload of appropriately allocated cases and undertake assessments of service user needs with a strength based, occupational focus, and aim to reduce barriers to inclusion in day-to-day activities.
• Develop, implement and review outcome focussed intervention to meet assessed needs and promote independent wellbeing and inclusion.
• Work alongside Occupational Therapists and SkILs Reablement staff to deliver reablement/rehabilitation to improve service user confidence and independence.
• Responsible for analysing information to support the ongoing needs of service users, their families and carers.
• Provide written and verbal reports which are concise, informative and based on an analysis of information given from a range of sources.
• Maintain and update case notes and other records, write reports as required.
• Delivery, fitting and collection of equipment as appropriate, including necessary moving and handling of equipment.
• Contribute to the enhanced screening of new referrals and people already in receipt of services.
• Use management information systems, keeping them up to date and able to provide concise and accurate information about circumstances and plans within the limits of data protection.
• Be compliant with relevant governance, policy and procedures.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals within the directorate and partner agencies to ensure an integrated, holistic and multidisciplinary approach to the care management and safeguarding of service users.
• Work closely with other services in the council, including, but not exclusively, Social work services, Neighbourhood Teams and Housing to deliver effective and efficient solutions to barriers faced by disabled people.
• Make appropriate referrals to Housing to support service users who require rehousing.
• Contribute to the promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.
• Be responsible for understanding and applying all relevant policies and procedures.
• Assist with the practice education of undergraduate OT students.
• Work within the safeguarding framework to raise alerts and assist with the management of risks where individuals have experienced or likely to experience significant harm.
• Appropriately participate in meetings and relevant forums.
• Organise work activities taking account of the need to prioritise tasks and responsibilities ensuring statutory legislation and service priorities are met.
• Responsible for responding to equipment breakdowns
• Work to the prescribed standards for service provision and maintain performance and develop practice and experience in line with personal targets as agreed with line manager through supervision and appraisal.
• The role will be community based working within a social and /or health care setting but may be required to work in other locations throughout the city to effectively deliver their duties. 
• Work as part of a team within a health and social care setting, maintaining effective relationships with other colleagues, Elected Members, service users, families, carers and other agencies.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade  
• Participate in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills
• To improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
• To work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
• Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies, procedures and staff instructions e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
• Be aware of and actively support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the behaviours, values, standards and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council. 
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Specific Responsibilities for Early Intervention Team

• To provide enhanced screening to new contacts to the council, who meet the criteria for the Early Intervention Team
• To embed reablement principles within the Early Intervention Teams and establish a strengths-based approach, with a focus on promoting independence. 
• To provide performance information to evidence savings made.
• To work closely with the SW rapid response team to ensure the best pathways for customers

Specific Responsibilities for Enhanced Reviewing Team

• To be part of a citywide enhanced reviewing team and undertake reviews for customers who meet the agreed criteria and provide equipment and adaptations in order to reduce the reliance on formal care.
• The Occupational Therapist Assistants will work closely with social workers in the Enhanced Reviewing Team and the Adult Reviewing Team
• To work to agreed KPIs for numbers of assessments to be completed on a weekly basis 
• To provide performance information on a weekly basis to evidence savings made, and any expenditure spent on equipment.

Specific Responsibilities within the Independent Mobility Assessment Team

• To carry out standard in- clinic assessments for Blue Badges by using the Department for Transport Guidelines.
• To contribute to the telescreen assessments
• Undertake visits to establish eligibility for Organisational Badges

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Skills Required

• Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.  
• Able to effectively plan, manage, prioritise and evaluate work with service users   
• Able to plan, prioritise and time manage own workload.
• Able to communicate and pass information effectively, accurately and concisely with a range of partners and service users, carers and colleagues
  Able to engage individuals, families, carers and workers from other agencies  
  Able to carry out assessments of people with less-complex needs 
• Able to devise and implement appropriate recommendations for equipment and adaptations 
• Able to maintain accurate service user records, assessments and follow policy and procedure
• Able to record, evidence and communicate using technology
• Able to exercise individual judgement, assess risk and consult where and when appropriate.
• Able to make proactive use of Supervision to understand the boundaries of professional accountability.
• Able to carry equipment necessary for assessment and provision
• Ability to carry out safe functional assessments and give physical assistance to users where necessary
• Possession of a full current driving licence and access to a car (not for Blue Badge Assessment Team)

Knowledge Required

• Basic understanding of legislation and current issues of disabled adults from a wide range of backgrounds 
• Basic understanding of the roles and responsibilities of statutory and voluntary agencies.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of confidentiality and the needs and wishes of individuals, families and carers as appropriate.
• Demonstrate an understanding of diversity issues within local communities.
• Demonstrate a knowledge of barriers faced by Disabled People
• Basic awareness of IT systems including Microsoft Office, Internet and Email
• Of responsibilities in terms of Health and Safety, security, confidentiality and data protection

Experience Required

• Of working with disabled people in a paid or voluntary capacity

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics 

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities. 
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council. 
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post.  Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates. 

Skills Required

• N/A

Knowledge Required

• Demonstrate an awareness of needs and safeguarding issues associated with vulnerable people.
• Report writing and Communications Skills
• Of the scope of the Care Act relating to equipment and adaptations 

Experience Required

• Application of information gathering skills to make and contribute to assessments
• Of using supervision effectively