About the job

Key information

• We encourage a good work/life balance and will consider flexible working and part time hours.
• 30 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Permanent, 37 hours
• Regular line management and professional supervision will be offered, and you will be expected to take part in peer support and supervision of Senior Occupational Therapy Assistants.
• We offer career development within our teams and service, including internal and external training, plus attending national and regional events.

What will I be doing?

The Children’s Occupational Therapy team is a small and supportive team working across Somerset with a hybrid working approach. We recognise the importance of professional development and training opportunities.

Our team consists of an Advanced Practitioner, Occupational Therapists, Senior Occupational Therapy Assistants and Occupational Therapy Assistant. The Occupational Therapy service is part of the Children and Young People’s Specialist Service.

We’re working to improve the lives of children in Somerset – and you’ll be a key part of that. Your day-to-day work will involve:

• Working with children and young people who have a range of severe and complex disabilities. This can include environments such as the child’s home, educational and respite settings.
• Completing full functional assessments, offer advice and information as well as making recommendations for specialist equipment, minor and major adaptations, postural management. Moving and handling planning and other services.
• Working in partnership with professionals across Education, Health and Social Care to provide a holistic approach to meeting children and young people’s needs.

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be. But it will really help if you:

• Are a HCPC registered and qualified Occupational Therapist.
• Can demonstrate your professional skills in assessing, evaluating and supporting the needs of children and young people, their families and/or carers to live as independently and as safely as possible.
• Hold a full UK driving license and access to a vehicle.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.

What is in it for me?

We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

• We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
• Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Staff discounts in gyms.
• Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
• Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
• A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
• My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more

DBS check

In this role you will require a criminal background check via Disclosure and Barring Service.

Supporting documents and information

The Salary for the role is Grade 10, ranging from £36,124 to £40,476 per annum.

You are welcome to contact us to have an informal discussion prior to making an application by contacting Jessica Fox via email Jessica.fox@somerset.gov.uk

Interviews will take place on 13 February 2025 at County Hall, Taunton, TA1 4DY.

When completing your application/CV please provide your full employment history and ensure that any gaps in employment are explained. Please start with your current or most recent employment.

If you have all the information you need, just hit the apply button – we can’t wait to hear from you.

Apply on the Somerset Council website

Apply now