Occupational Therapy Assistant - Regaining Independence Service
About Us
Reablement is a key strategic priority for West Sussex in 2025, so now is a great time to join the service. The council is investing in growing the service, to reach more people and to support more residents to live as independently as possible for longer.
The Regaining Independence Service (RIS) is a therapy led service working with people to help them keep or re-learn skills to manage living independently at home or to get out and about in their local community. Using a strengths-based approach, RIS work over a short and focused period with people who may have had a period of ill health or difficulties caring for themselves to maintain or regain the skills needed to enjoy their every day life.RIS work in partnership with our reablement provider ECL to deliver the Community Reablement Service, and work closely with colleagues in the NHS and other parts of the council.
To help us create a reablement workforce that reflects the communities we serve, and to ensure we have diverse perspectives and insights, we would particularly welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds and those with a disability.
This is what our team members say about working in RIS:
"I think we work well as a team. I feel well supported by the manager and the senior practitioner, who listen to the teams needs and react. I like the fact that as a service WSCC and RIS are extremely flexible and adjust my working to help my work life balance"
"The team are very supportive with everyone being very generous in terms of sharing knowledge, experience and availability for joint visits. I feel as though the team is passionate about delivering person centred therapy and believe in the core principles of reablement"
RIS is a thriving service: hard working and committed, passionate about achieving excellent outcomes for people, and excited about becoming bigger and better. Come and be part of the future!
Take a look at our Regaining Independence Service campaign page for further information on the work of the reablement teams - [...]/
About The Job
Salary: £26,409 to £31,067 per annum (grades 6 to 7)Working Pattern: Full time, 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: Horsham
Do you enjoy working with people and optimising their wellbeing? We are recruiting for an Occupational Therapy Assistant to work as a part of our strong and dynamic RIS service. You will receive a thorough induction, training and support to enable you to undertake your role.
Our Occupational Therapy Assistants need to be resilient, adaptable, organised and able to work in a fast-paced environment. You'll need to work efficiently and accurately record your work using electronic systems. You'll need to be committed to learning about Occupational Therapy and how to implement it in practice.
This role will involve undertaking strengths-based assessments with the guidance of an HCPC registered occupational therapist & then developing and implementing a plan of support aimed at improving wellbeing and delivering outcomes for people.The plans include advice, information, the provision of assistive equipment and recommendations for home adaptation supporting people's wellbeing and independence. Additionally you will carry out risk assessments and undertake assessments under the Mental capacity Act 2007.
As it is a community based and fast paced role, you need to be able to travel across the county completing strengths based therapeutic assessments, and prescribe equipment, which may include mobility aids and other equipment for independent living.This may include areas that are not easily accessed by public transport, council pool cars and pool bikes are available.
Experience and Skills
Key Skills (please cover with examples within your application as these are the short-listing criteria):
- Ability to undertake a strengths-based assessment with necessary guidance (as directed by the Care Act 2014) to ascertain required information.
- Ability to develop a person-centred care and support plan with clearly defined outcomes.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills to provide clear and concise guidance and to demonstrate and explain practical activities.
- Ability to prioritise and organise work and meet agreed performance expectations and deadlines.
- Sound and accurate IT skills (Microsoft Office) in order to carry out research, analyse documents, present data and undertake general administrative processes.
Qualifications:
- A minimum of 3 GCSEs including Maths and English or equivalent qualification e.g. NVQ.
- Experience of working with people with disabilities or with elderly people, and an understanding of the effects of a disabling condition on a person.
- Some experience of working in a hospital, social care or similar formal care environment.
Knowledge of the use of and the risk and safety factors associated with disability and equipment / adaptation provision.
Rewards and Benefits
For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our Rewards and Benefits page.
Further Information
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check.
West Sussex County Council is an equal opportunities employer committed to promoting an environment that is inclusive and free from all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination and values the diversity of its people. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and take every possible step to ensure that no individual will be disadvantaged.
For information regarding your eligibility to apply for this role under our Disability or Veteran's Guaranteed Interview Scheme*, this can be found on our application help page. *you must meet the essential criteria of the role.
Note for Recruitment Agencies: We prefer to hire people directly, but we do have a supplier list for when we need a helping hand. We'll be in touch directly if we need you!