We are Looking for an Occupational Therapist to join our  Adult First Contact Service , the Occupational Therapist (OT) acts as a professional lead at the 'front door' of Adult Social Care.

The role focuses on screening, triaging, and prioritising incoming referrals to provide a person-centred, preventative, and strength-based response. The OT works proactively to identify individuals at risk of developing social care needs, providing professional guidance to Enabling Independence Officers and Trusted Assessors to promote independence and prevent, reduce, or delay the need for long-term support. Based within the Adult First Contact Service (AFCS), the Occupational Therapist (OT) acts as a professional lead at the 'front door' of Adult Social Care. The role focuses on screening, triaging, and prioritising incoming referrals to provide a person-centred, preventative, and strength-based response. The OT works proactively to identify individuals at risk of developing social care needs, providing professional guidance to Enabling Independence Officers and Trusted Assessors to promote independence and prevent, reduce, or delay the need for long-term support.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

OT/Senior OT:

1. Screen and prioritise complex referrals received through the Contact Centre, applying professional judgement to determine the most appropriate pathway for the individual.

2. Deliver person-centred, strength-based assessments at the first point of contact, focusing on enhancing independence and well-being through preventative measures.

3. Provide professional guidance and quality assurance to Enabling Independence Officers and Trusted Assessors regarding OT screening and straightforward equipment/adaptation recommendations.

4. Collaborate within a multidisciplinary duty team (including Social Workers and health partners) to facilitate positive outcomes and coordinated support plans.

5. Recommend equipment and both minor and major adaptations to mitigate risk and maintain residents safely in the community, escalating complex cases as required.

6. Undertake proportionate assessments and screening to ensure residents are directed to appropriate community support, advice, and information.

7. Following assessment, demonstrate equipment, ensure suitability and teach correct use by people with disabilities, their families and carers of the equipment and the adaptations.

8. Assess people with disabilities who meet the criteria for being registered permanently and substantially disabled (as currently under the Care Act 2014), as legislated in the Housing Grant Regeneration and Construction Act (arrangements under debate Sept 2014) in support of the applications for register ability and major adaptations.

9. Assess, make recommendations and process complex major adaptations, e.g. structural alterations, extensions, through floor lifts and specialist bespoke equipment.

10. Where rehousing is the only option to maintain independence, assist the Housing Service or in the appropriate design and allocation of properties, recommend and process appropriate major equipment and adaptations aiming to meet independent living and life long housing standards.

11. Implement minor and major adaptations procedures according to the individual client circumstances. Discuss with Occupational Therapy Manager the eligibility and financing of major adaptations, present cases to OT Quality Assurance Panel and advise the clients accordingly.

12. Facilitate an accurate brief and sketch diagrams for building surveyors, including layout of proposed adaptations and design specific equipment

13. Provide professional consultation and recommendations, through advice

including specialist joint visits with other Council Departments/ Agencies e.g. Housing, Environmental Health, Stain Put, Social Workers / Care.

Be required to work flexibly across service areas and be willing to be deployed to other locality teams as the service requires in line with the council’s policies and procedures.