Occupational Therapy Assistant

HEATH FARM SCHOOL; Charing Heath; On-site; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A special needs education provider in Charing Heath seeks an Occupational Therapy Assistant to support children with special educational needs. The role involves collaborating with therapists, delivering assessments and interventions, and creating communication profiles. Candidates should have experience supporting young people, possess strong organizational skills, and hold relevant qualifications. This role offers the opportunity for professional development and contributes to improving young people's lives.

Benefits

Health and wellbeing package including Life Assurance

Flexible Benefits Platform

Cycle to Work Schemes

Qualifications

• Experience as a therapy assistant or in a similar role advantageous.
• Ability to conduct 1:1 and group sessions under supervision.
• Independently motivated while working under the supervision of a qualified clinician.

Responsibilities

• Provide evidence-based assessments and interventions under supervision.
• Support creation of communication and sensory profiles.
• Collaborate with education team and families to support pupils’ needs.

Skills

Experience with young people with special educational needs

Strong communication skills

Teamwork skills

Excellent organisational skills

Education

5 x GCSEs Grade C or above, including English

Undergraduate degree preferred

Job description

Overview

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four? Our colleagues' wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we're always looking for new ways to improve everyone's work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week (4DWW), meaning you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent). If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group.

Job Title: Occupational Therapy Assistant

Location: Heath Farm School - Kent TN27 0AX

Salary: £24,375 FTE, DOE

Hours: 22.5 hours per week, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday

Contract: Permanent, Term-Time only

Essential: Full valid UK driving licence and access to own vehicle

About The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join our developing, dedicated team of clinicians supporting our children and young people at Heath Farm School. This is a cross-disciplinary role, with a primary focus on supporting the work of our Occupational Therapists. The successful candidate will work closely with the therapy team to provide high-quality support tailored to our pupils' needs. You will be working closely with our education team who support our young people, as well as their families. You will be responsible for providing evidence-based assessments and interventions under the supervision of qualified clinicians and the leadership of the Lead Clinician to better understand and support our young people's needs and to support them to engage in meaningful activities and interactions. You will be instrumental supporting the creation of communication and sensory profiles, contributing to placement plans and delivering a range of interventions. This role also includes observations, co-facilitating staff training, attending multi-agency meetings and ongoing service development. There are also regular opportunities for continual professional development, through our internal specialist forums and funding for external training opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Provide evidence-based assessments and interventions under supervision and leadership of qualified clinicians.
• Support creation of communication and sensory profiles and contribute to placement plans.
• Deliver a range of interventions and support pupils to engage in meaningful activities and interactions.
• Conduct observations, co-facilitate staff training, attend multi-agency meetings and contribute to service development.
• Collaborate with the education team and families to support pupils’ needs.

Who We Are Looking For

• Experience of working with young people with special educational needs.
• Independently motivated while working under the supervision of a qualified clinician.
• Creative, with a dynamic approach to problem solving to develop bespoke interventions for complex pupils.
• Location: Heath Farm School - Kent TN27 0AX
• Full valid UK driving licence and access to own vehicle.

Essential Criteria

• 5 x GCSEs Grade C or above, including English
• Undergraduate degree preferred
• Experience as a therapy assistant or in a similar role advantageous
• Experience working within an educational setting advantageous
• Teamwork skills; ability to work with children and young people with SEN
• Ability to conduct 1:1 and group sessions under supervision
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal) with diverse stakeholders
• Excellent organisational skills; experience with administrative tasks for a team advantageous
• Full valid UK driving licence and access to own vehicle

About Outcomes First Group

Outcomes First Group is the largest independent provider of special needs education. We are a vital part of local communities in England, Scotland and Wales with a renowned reputation for quality and positive outcomes. In 2024, Outcomes First Group was certified as a “Great Place to Work” for the fifth year running. Our divisional brands include Acorn Education and Options Autism. For more information, visit: https://www.outcomesfirstgroup.co.uk/

Benefits

• Health and wellbeing package including Life Assurance and Pension with flexible contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” access to mental health and physical health support
• 80% of contractual hours for 100% of pay (4DWW subject to probation)
• Family Growth Support: enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista) with health, wellbeing, insurance benefits and discounts
• Cycle to Work Schemes and Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover

Further information: All successful applicants will be subject to safeguarding checks and DBS clearance. The group reserves the right to close the vacancy early if needed. This description is for guidance and may be updated in line with statutory requirements.