Occupational Therapist

Job Description

Purpose: To provide therapy provision within DCIS.

In fulfilling the requirements of the post, the therapist will aspire to the highest standards of professionalism and will, in particular:

▪ Inspire trust and confidence in students, colleagues and parents;

▪ Be committed to helping students progress;

▪ Be committed to high achievement for students of a wide range of learning dispositions and complex educational needs;

▪ Be committed to the quest for supporting students

▪ Contribute to school improvement in line with the school’s strategic plan;

▪ Develop and deploy resources efficiently and effectively;

Area of Responsibilities

Observations and Assessments

• Able to design and carry out clinical observations in relation to classroom performance and offer recommendations for occupational therapy support/full assessments/intervention.
• Have the ability to interpret reports from the professionals in the same discipline as well as across other disciplines.
• Understand the children’s individual’s needs in line with expert clinical knowledge and experience to support the students in the school.
• Ability to perform comprehensive clinical assessments including a range of standardised/non standardised assessments and clinical observations.
• Able to collate all the clinical information and write detailed reports of the student
• Able to identify the needs and suggest appropriate interventions
• Able to communicate assessment findings to staff and parents

Tracking, Assessment, Recording, Reporting

• Managing appointment schedule/caseload effectively and efficiently to maximise use of time.
• Detailed report writing; presenting clinical findings and setting out recommendations to address areas of identified need. This may include therapy sessions, provision of training, monitoring and reviews, referrals to other professionals, etc
• Carrying out regular intervention sessions in accordance with recommendations and tracking progress against goals
• Devising programmes and resources to guide families/school in adopting strategies and intervention approaches

Whole Class Therapy

• Establish a safe, purposeful learning environment for all students;
• Promote the progress and well-being of all students;
• Contribute to the preparation of action plans and other support mechanisms;
• Alert appropriate staff to barriers experienced by students and make recommendations as to how these may be addressed;

Individual Learning Plans

• Develop individual ILP goals through assessment findings and collaborative investigations.
• Develop individualised learning plans based on the evaluation results and requirements in a multidisciplinary environment
• Communicate ILP goals clearly to key stakeholders

Co-Curricular Activities

• Support the life of the school beyond the classroom;
• Lead one or more after co-curricular activities;
• Participate in residential weeks and other trips;
• Contribute to whole school learning initiatives during term.

Other Requirements

• Contribute positively to the morale and community spirit in the school;
• Assist in whole school marketing initiatives and contribute to the growth of the school;
• Operate at all times within the stated policies and practices of the school;
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of therapy provision;
• Undertake and contribute to professional development;
• Meet responsibilities with regard to health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant legislation and conform to professional and ethical requirements;
• Any other appropriate duties as allocated by members of the Principal.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Training

• Degree or Diploma in recognised institutions with WFOT
• Experience in paediatrics/working in schools
• Masters in paediatric occupational therapy
• Understanding, evaluation and application of sensory processing disorders in relation to the functional capacities of the child.

Regulatory Body

• Full registration with AHPC

Experience

• Proven track record of supporting children
• Experience of being part of a highly successful department and school.
• Experience of supporting students with complex additional needs.
• Experience in working with multidisciplinary team
• Working in partnership with parents.

Skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to engage children and enable them to make significant progress.
• Strong organisational and leadership skills.

Personal Attributes

• Passionate about education and young people.
• Evidence of commitment to continuous professional development.
• Advocate for neurodiversity
• Culturally agile and adaptable.
• An understanding of the complex and demanding environment of an international school community.

Other

• Hold a current Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure or equivalent for countries lived in outside of the UK.
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all pupils and the willingness to undertake appropriate child protection training when required.