Discharge to Assess Occupational Therapist

NHS; Slough; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A public health service provider in Slough is seeking a Discharge to Assess Occupational Therapist to support timely hospital discharges and enable individuals to regain independence. The ideal candidate will collaborate with health professionals, conduct assessments, and supervise assistants. This permanent role offers a competitive salary of £41,873 to £47,238, flexible working, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Flexible and hybrid working options

26 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Wellbeing initiatives

Tax-free childcare services

Qualifications

• Recent experience in rehabilitation and long-term condition management.
• Experience of working with diverse communities.
• Proficiency in using ICT systems.

Responsibilities

• Deliver strength-based assessments for timely discharges.
• Develop and evaluate care plans focusing on independence.
• Collaborate with health and social care professionals.

Skills

Assessment and evaluation skills

Effective communication

Problem-solving skills

Time management

Teamwork

Education

Degree/Diploma/MSc in Occupational Therapy

HCPC Registration

Job description

Discharge to Assess Occupational Therapist

Join our Discharge to Assess D2A) team and make a real impact supporting people from hospital to home. As a D2A Occupational Therapist, you’ll work with health and social care professionals to deliver strength-based assessments, enabling safe, timely discharges and helping people stay independent for longer.

You’ll streamline discharge pathways, reduce delays, and provide in-reach support for residents in care placements all in a fast-paced, supportive environment that values your clinical expertise and fresh ideas.

We offer regular supervision, training, and CPD opportunities, plus the chance to lead and mentor OT Assistants. If you’re passionate about promoting independence, person-centred care, and innovation, we’d love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

The role of Discharge to Assess OT is pivotal in supporting safe and timely hospital discharges by enabling individuals to regain or maintain independence in their own homes.

You will work closely with the Hospital Social Work Team and the Reablement and Independence Service, delivering strength-based, person-centred interventions that promote recovery and reduce reliance on long-term care. The role involves assessing, implementing, evaluating, and reviewing care plans for service users and carers, with a focus on achieving the best possible outcomes.

Supporting individuals with a range of needs including physical and mental health conditions, learning difficulties, dependencies, and age-related challenges.

Promoting independence through tailored occupational therapy interventions.

Participating in in-reach work for residents in care placements to ensure continuity of care.

Recommending proportionate care where long-term needs are identified.

Working on a rota basis, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays as required.

About us

Our vision is to make a difference to our communities and our environment and we would love you to join us in our mission! All of our employees, whatever their job, contribute greatly to delivering services to local people - either directly, or by supporting colleagues. We celebrate diversity and are continuously striving for our residents to enjoy fulfilling prosperous and healthy lives.

Join Slough Borough Council to make a real difference! We offer career growth, flexible hybrid work, great benefits, and inclusive networks. Be part of a diverse, supportive team driving change.

Job responsibilities

• Pay Level: 7: £41,873 - £47,238 (fully inclusive of Local Weighting Allowance)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Working Hours: Rota working across 7 days a week, including weekends, bank holidays and out of hours as required. Rotas are subject to change based on the service's needs.
• Location: Observatory House, 25 Windsor Road. The role includes working from people’s homes in the community and, if required, visiting hospitals or care home settings as part of the Reablement interventions.
• DBS: Enhanced

The closing date for applications is midnight on 21st November 2025

Interviews will be held week commencing 1st December 2025

What you’ll be doing

Join our Discharge to Assess (D2A) team and make a real impact supporting people from hospital to home. As a D2A Occupational Therapist, you’ll work with health and social care professionals to deliver strength-based assessments, enabling safe, timely discharges and helping people stay independent for longer.

You’ll streamline discharge pathways, reduce delays, and provide in-reach support for residents in care placements all in a fast-paced, supportive environment that values your clinical expertise and fresh ideas.

We offer regular supervision, training, and CPD opportunities, plus the chance to lead and mentor OT Assistants. If you’re passionate about promoting independence, person-centred care, and innovation, we’d love to hear from you.

Our Council

Our vision is to make a difference to our communities and our environment and we would love you to join us in our mission! All of our employees, whatever their job, contribute greatly to delivering services to local people - either directly, or by supporting colleagues. We celebrate diversity and are continuously striving for our residents to enjoy fulfilling prosperous and healthy lives.

What we offer

We offer a supportive place to grow and develop your career with a real opportunity for your input to be valued and heard. Ambition and innovation will be required now more than ever and you will join a friendly and collaborative environment where you are encouraged to thrive.

At Slough Borough Council, we understand that everyone has different needs and circumstances. That's why we're committed to offering flexible and hybrid working arrangements that help you achieve the best work-life balance and accommodate different working patterns.

Annual increments, where applicable, are usually payable on 1st April each year, subject to six months service in the post, until the maximum spinal column point of the level has been reached. The payment of annual increments is not automatic and is subject to satisfactory performance as assessed by your Director.

Alongside a competitive salary, we provide:

26 days annual leave (not including Bank holidays), rising to 30 days between 2 - 5 years' service and 33 days after 5 years' service.

The Local Government Pension Scheme

We offer a wider range of great benefits, including:

• Flexible and hybrid working options to promote work-life balance
• Slough Borough Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. Our commitment to equality and diversity through our vibrant employee networks:
• R.E.A.C.H (Race Equality and Celebrating Heritage) Network - celebrating cultural diversity and promoting racial equality
• Women's Network - supporting career development and workplace equality for women
• Employees with Disabilities Forum - advocating for accessibility and inclusion
• LGBTQIA Network - fostering an inclusive environment for all colleagues
• Neurodivergent Staff Network - helping Slough become a place that truly reflects the needs of our ND staff.
• Wellbeing initiatives
• Tax-free childcare and childcare services
• Season loan ticket - to help with the cost of your rail / bus journey to and from work.

Accessibility and Support:

We want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. If you have a condition that may affect your application or interview experience, please provide the following information in your supporting statement when applying:

• Do you have a condition that we should be aware of?
• How does this condition affect you in your daily work or interview situations?
• What accommodations do you need for the interview process or, if successful, in the role?
• What’s the best time of day for an interview if you were shortlisted?

This information will be treated confidentially and used solely to ensure we provide appropriate support throughout the recruitment process and beyond.

Interested?

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If appointed, all posts will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks.

Slough Borough Council is an inclusive employer and we encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We select staff on merit and foster a workforce where people are valued and represent the local communities we serve.

We want our application process to be open and accessible. If you wish to make your application in an alternative format, please email [e-mail] quoting the job reference. Our Accessibility Statement has more information.

How to Apply:

Please click on the Apply button below to submit your application. We look forward to hearing from you!

Person Specification

Experience

• Recent experience demonstrating ability to assess and evaluate care in rehabilitation and long-term condition management.
• Experience of working with people of diverse cultural and religious communities
• Proven ability in implementing Clinical Governance.
• Experience in contributing to service/quality improvement.
• Experience of working within a community or acute therapy team.
• Moving and Handling case work experience.
• Experience in diffusing conflict and complaints.
• Problem-solving/decision‑making skills based on client needs and goals.
• Excellent assessment and recording skills.
• Demonstrates positive attitudes and behaviours, taking a strength‑based approach to assessments.
• Willingness to take responsibility and use initiative, according to level of experience and delegations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people with complex difficulties and in difficult situations.
• Proficiency in the use of ICT systems and packages.
• Self‑motivated with the ability to work independently and influence others.
• Excellent time‑management skills, including the ability to work to deadlines.
• Degree/Diploma/MSc in Occupational Therapy.
• HCPC Registered.
• This role will require you to use your car for work‑related business every day. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are insured to do this, in addition to having general business use insurance cover.
• On occasion, you may be required to transport equipment or other staff members in your car to carry out your duties. Prior to doing this, a full risk assessment should be carried out.
• Master’s level qualification in a specialist area.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly called CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£41,873 to £47,238 a year inclusive of £1,096 LWA + 14% Shift enhancement