September 2011
Dear Candidate
Paediatric Occupational Therapist. /Job ref: 11/21
Salary £35,184-£40,157
Meath School & Specialist Centre, Brox Road, Ottershaw, Surrey, KT16 0LF
Thank you for your interest in the above post, please find attached:
· Job Description and person specification
· Job Terms & Conditions
· Information about Meath School
· Application form
To apply please send the completed application form back to us by email, post or fax by 10am on 23rd September 2011.
Interviews will be held in school at the above address on 3rd October.
In the interests of economy we will only notify those candidates who are short-listed.
Informal enquiries about this post can be made to Jean Wilson on 01932 872 302.
Thank you for your interest and we look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully
Richard Thayre
HR Advisor
Meath School & Specialist Centre
Meath School is a non-maintained day and residential school for pupils aged between 5 – 11 years, who have severe and complex speech, language and communication difficulties together with other learning and/or behavioural difficulties.
Our most recent Ofsted report (2010/2011) is highly positive about the work of the school and the progress which our children make. The report makes it clear that at I CAN’s Meath School, “Achievement is outstanding across the school because of the total care and education package it offers. The highly collaborative approach of the multi-disciplinary specialist staff is a significant strength. This ensures that every learner makes excellent progress, and especially fast progress is made in developing communication skills. The curriculum is excellent and provides a language focused learning environment throughout the day. Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is excellent. Resources are managed particularly well thus achieving excellent value for money.”
I CAN is the Charity that Helps Children Communicate.
I CAN is the children’s communication charity. It works to develop speech, language and communication skills for all children, with a particular focus on children who find communication hard.
Communication is the essential 21st century life skill – the foundation on which children learn, achieve and make friends.
In some areas in the UK, as many as half of all children are arriving at primary school without the speech, language and communication skills they need. In disadvantaged areas, it can be as high as 80%. In addition, one in ten (around 1.2 million) children in the UK has a communication disability.
I CAN works to ensure all people who have a responsibility to children, either directly or indirectly, from parent and teachers to policy makers, understand the importance of good communication skills. It does this through:
· information, training, support and online resources for children, families and
professionals
· direct service provision through two schools for children with severe and complex
disabilities, and a network of early years provisions
· consultancy and outreach services through I CAN’s Early Talk and Primary Talk
programmes and Communication Skills Centres
· raising awareness through campaigns such as Make Chatter Matter and through
initiatives such as the Chatterbox Challenge
· campaigning to place communication skills at the heart of children’s policy.
I CAN Job Description
JOB TITLE: Senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist
RESPONSIBLE TO: Head of Therapy
ACCOUNTABLE TO: Headteacher
BASE: Meath School, Surrey
JOB SUMMARY
To be responsible for providing occupational therapy assessment, treatment, management and advice using specialist clinical skills and knowledge for pupils as a member of a multi-disciplinary team to the pupils of the school in line with the aims, objectives and development plan of the school and I CAN. To participate in the development of service to and for the pupils of the school and their carers.
Specific Responsibilities - CASELOAD MANAGEMENT
1. To carry out comprehensive and specialist Occupational Therapy assessments to determine pupils’ individual occupational therapy needs.
2. Plan, deliver and evaluate therapy treatment programmes as identified in the child’s statement, including sensory integration therapy, gross motor input and other specialist areas as agreed.
3. Liaise with school staff regarding the implementation of programmes and develop effective working relationships.
4. To attend annual review meetings when appropriate or requested.
5. To contribute to in-service training formally and informally with staff and parents.
6. To work collaboratively in the development and maintenance of effective working practices in the Occupational Therapy service and between various staff groups.
7. To maintain and monitor accurate records of contact and progress in line with national, departmental and school policies.
8. To provide written reports on children’s progress for annual review and at other times when this is required and summary reports after a period of specialist input.
9. To liaise with parents/carers where appropriate to facilitate Occupational Therapy intervention.
10. To work with the Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapy Assistant, allocating workload, supervising practice and appraising performance.
11. Maintain a high quality of Occupational Therapy service, according to the College of Occupational Therapists Code of Professional Ethics, NAPOT guidelines and school policies and code of conduct.
THERAPY DEPARTMENT
12. Participate in the development of the role of the occupational therapy service within the school.
13. Keep up to date with developments in the field of occupational therapy and special education by reading, discussion and attendance at courses and maintaining a personal training log.
14. Participate in the development of multi-disciplinary team work.
15. Participate in the delivery of professional development training offered at Meath School.
16. Develop or maintain a special interest in a relevant area agreed with the line manager, and to collate and disseminate relevant information.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
17. Participate and contribute to one’s own performance appraisal and supervision sessions.
18. Keep abreast of relevant initiatives and developments within I CAN and the field of occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and education.
19. Undertake relevant training and development, as required.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
20. Provide cover for colleagues as directed by your manager.
21. Refrain from acting in a manner which in any way endangers yourself, fellow employees, or the public.
22. Avoid any behaviour which discriminates against your fellow employees on the grounds of their age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion, creed, colour, nationality, ethnic origin or disability.
23. Safeguard at all times confidentiality of information relating to children, staff and I CAN’s work.
24. Behave in a manner which ensures the security of I CAN property and resources.
25. Abide by all relevant I CAN Policies and Procedures.
26. Support the ethos and practices of the school and contribute to school development.
27. Be responsible for the efficient use of resources within the department.
This list of duties and responsibilities is by no means exhaustive and the postholder may be required to undertake other relevant and appropriate duties as required.
This job description is subject to regular review and appropriate modification.
I CAN PERSON SPECIFICATION
CRITERIA / ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLEQualifications / · Diploma/Degree (BSc OT, DIP COT or equivalent) of College of Occupational Therapists. Registered as practising member of HPC.
· Evidence of recent and relevant personal/professional development
· Sensory Integration qualification / Advanced professional qualification
Experience / 1. Minimum of 5 years post qualification
experience working with children
2. Experience of working in an educational
setting
3. Experience of working with primary
aged pupils
4. Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
5. Experience of providing supervision and guidance to other staff
6. Experience of providing training
7. Experience of applying principles of Sensory Integration and implementing programmes / Experience of working with children with speech, language and communication difficulties
Skills and Knowledge / · Knowledge of specialist equipment and seating of pupils
· Good presentation skills
· Good written presentation
· Skills in implementing policy and procedure
· Good organisational skills
· The ability to prioritise, make sound clinical judgements and organise own workload
· The ability to independently manage a caseload
· Knowledge of standardised assessment procedures
· Knowledge of motor difficulties in children
· Knowledge of visual perceptual difficulties and approaches to therapy
· Specialist knowledge of principles of sensory integration
§ Knowledge of OT approaches and
models / Knowledge of speech, language and communication difficulties in children
Knowledge of current developments in education
Knowledge of the National Curriculum
Knowledge of Paget Gorman Signed Speech
Knowledge of behaviour management strategies
Other Factors / · The ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to a variety of audiences
· The ability to communicate and maintain good relationships with colleagues, parents and carers
· Flexibility and a positive attitude to change
· Willingness to learn
· The ability to think and work flexibly to deliver OT in an educational setting and to develop innovative ways of working
· The ability to offer positive contributions to the development of the school
· A commitment to the ethos and practices of the school and I CAN
I CAN
Summary of Terms and Conditions of Employment
Job Title: / Paediatric Occupational TherapistStart Date: / TBC
Location: / Meath School, Brox Road, Ottershaw, Surrey, KT16 0LF
Salary: / £35,184 - £40,157
Hours: / 35 per week
Leave / 10 weeks paid holiday per year
Probation / There is a 6 month probationary period for this post
Pension: / After 3 months, staff employed on a continuing contract, or temporary contract of minimum 6 months, are entitled to join the
I CAN group pension scheme with Norwich Union. Employer contribution 4.5%, minimum employee contribution 3%.
Childcare Voucher Scheme: / I CAN operates a childcare voucher scheme for staff which allows them to save on childcare costs.
Employee Assistance Scheme / I CAN operates an EAP which enables staff and their immediate families to access free, confidential independent support, 24 hrs/365 days a year on a wide range of work/personal issues e.g. stress, bereavement, financial issues etc.
Application for Employment Form
Please return to:
I CAN Human Resources Team, 8 Wakley Street, London, EC1V 7EQ
Email: : ,uk Fax: 0845 225 4072
Please complete this form in full and use additional sheets if necessary. CV’s WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
All personal data supplied to us on this form, which is subsequently processed on computer or by other means, is subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998.
Position applied for: / Closing Date: / Vacancy Ref No.:Where did you see this job advertised?
Personal details
Last Name: / Title: (Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Dr/Prof) / First names: (for official purposes)Address: / Preferred name: (name you wish to be known as)
National Insurance number:
Post code: / Home telephone number:
E-mail address: / Confidential fax number:
Mobile telephone number: / Work telephone number:
If you are a teacher, please provide: / DfES number
GTC registration number
Employment (if applicable)
Name of current/last employer:Title/description of your current job and key responsibilities: / Start date: End date:
Current /Final Salary:
What period of notice are you required to give to your present employer?
Reason for leaving:
Previous Employment
Start Date
/End Date
/Job Title
/Employer
/Reason for Leaving
Education and Qualifications
Date Gained
/Name of School /College/University
/Subjects
/Qualification and Grade
Training
Date
/Topic Covered
/Training Provider
Professional Membership/Registration
Issuing Body
/Registration Number
/Expiry Date
Suitability
Please assess yourself against the requirement of the Person Specification, giving examples of how you meet the defined criteria. Ensure you are concise and to the point. You may continue on additional sheets if necessary.
Qualifications – essential and desirable
Experience – essential and desirable
Skills and Knowledge – essential and desirable
Other FactorsReferees
Please give the names and addresses of two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer. Students should give the names of a lecturer/tutor/supervisor as appropriate. If you are applying for a post involving direct contact with children, at least one referee must be able to comment on your child contact experience. We will normally request references before interview; if you do not wish us to contact them without your consent, please put a cross (X) next to their name.
1. / Name: / Telephone number:Capacity known to you:
Address: / Confidential fax number:
E-mail address:
2. / Name: / Telephone number:
Capacity known to you:
Address: / Confidential fax number:
E-mail address:
Additional Information
Please give below any further information that is relevant to your application, eg: your application is for a job share; periods of time when you would be unavailable for interview; any special requirements should you be invited for interview – for instance, you require overnight accommodation.Relationships
Are you related to or acquainted with any of the Trustees, staff or pupils of I CAN? If so, please give details:
Asylum and Immigration Act 1966
Do you require permission to work in the UK? / Yes / NoRehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence? / Yes / NoIf yes please give details in a separate envelope. You are required to give details of a 'spent conviction' as provided by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 as the post is one that involves direct contact with children where we need to know about all convictions.
List 99/ Protection of Children Act List
Are you included on List 99 or the Protection of Children Act List? / Yes / NoI confirm that the information given on this form is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true and complete. I also give my consent to the processing of my personal data by computer or other means in relation to my job application and possible future employment.
Signed……………………………………………………….. Date ……….
I CAN - Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form - Recruitment
Please do not write your name on this form.
Thank you for taking the time out to fill in this form. We are asking these questions to understand better the composition of our workforce by gender, ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation and faith. This information will help us guide our recruitment strategies.
We can assure you that the information provided will be kept completely confidential.