Occupational Therapist

Here at Bracknell Forest Council we have recently reviewed and introduced a new remuneration and retention package. We value our staff and will invest in your personal development to enable you to provide a service you can be proud of.

We have exciting opportunities within our Adult Community Team, Enhanced Intermediate Care Service (EICS) and our Gateway Teams. We are looking for enthusiastic, hardworking and compassionate Occupational Therapists to join our supportive, dynamic team.

If you are an outstanding Occupational Therapist looking to make a difference in an outstanding Authority, come and join us.

We have the autonomy to do the right thing.

We work with the residents of Bracknell Forest to improve their health and wellbeing and maximise their independence. We are a friendly and supportive close-knit team.

We're proud of our community; the care we give and the services we provide. This is why we give our team members the time, support and resources they need to do their job well. You'll have a manageable caseload, and we will listen to your ideas - if you think something needs to change, we want to know about it. This is your opportunity to take ownership and to change lives for the better.

Because we’re Bracknell Forest.

What it’s like working in our team…

Together, we make big things happen. But we're also focused on the smaller things that make all the difference. And that's as true for our employees as it is for our residents. We have strong teams and excellent manager relationships. Expert advice is there whenever you need it. Put simply, a career with us means having everything you need to build on your skills. To build better relationships. To build even better communities. This is your chance to make a lasting impact.

As an Occupational Therapist in the Adult Community Team, your main focus will be assessing people with long term conditions in the community and providing advice, aids, minor and major adaptations, manual handling risk assessments and therapy interventions to meet the identified needs. You will work closely with Social Workers, Support Coordinators, carers, care agencies, care homes, the Disabled Facilities Grant team and Housing Associations to provide Therapy for adults with care and support needs in the Bracknell Forest area.

Our Enhanced Intermediate Care Service (EICS) is a highly regarded, multi-disciplinary team of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Nurses and Support Coordinators, working together to prevent unnecessary hospital admission, facilitate discharge from hospital, and maximise independence at home. We work alongside the large in-house team of Support Workers providing this short term reablement service. We are a friendly and supportive team, putting the people we support at the centre of all we do.

As an Occupational Therapist in the Gateway Team, you will be working at a fast pace with a high turnover of cases. The main focus is on Urgent Manual Handling Risk Assessments; so you will need experience in this area, assessing transfers and providing advice, equipment and therapy interventions to meet those identified needs. At times, people will be transferred from the acute setting to an interim placement. You will be assessing these people and enabling them to return home with appropriate equipment and support. You will be an autonomous practitioner and manage your own diary but be supported by the Senior OT in Gateway.

You will be supported to carry out the following duties, responsibilities and training…

• Work with people to identify their needs and undertake comprehensive assessments of adults. Work with those with diverse or complex presentations in a way that maximises independence, choice and control that are Care Act compliant and cost effective. 
• Manual Handling assessments
• Document all work abiding by local policies & procedures
• To take responsibility for own learning, including mandatory and suggested training, and the training of OT students
• You will be supported in your career and personal growth and continue your professional development portfolio

The benefits you will experience are…

• On-site free car park with plenty of spaces
• Regular opportunities for continuous professional development through internal and external training courses
• Able to contribute to service improvement and implement new ideas
• Essential Car User allowance and London Weighting
• Flexible working opportunities including a flexi-time scheme and the promotion of homeworking
• Agile working - from home and in the Community - supported by up-to-date IT equipment
• An inclusive and friendly working environment
• A great office location next to travel links and the regenerated town centre
• Generous annual leave entitlement (increases after 3 years)
• Internal sports and social club opportunities, discounted leisure centre and gym membership
• Supermarket discount

What we’re looking for…

We're seeking qualified and HCPC registered Occupational Therapists with a passion for providing exceptional care and support. You'll need to show excellent knowledge of OT best practices and provide expert advice to both colleagues and partner agencies, as well as to residents. We are looking for Occupational Therapists who want to work in a dynamic and team orientated environment. Above all, you'll empower service users; facilitating their independence and helping them overcome the barriers that prevent them from doing the activities that matter to them.

Interview date

Upon application receipt, suitable candidates will be contacted to arrange a mutually convenient time.

Want to ask us a question?

For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role, please contact:

Gavin Austin on Gavin.Austin@bracknell-forest.gov.uk or 01344 351481 for the Adult Community Team

Emma Shaw on Emma.Shaw@bracknell-forest.gov.uk or 01344 351439 for the Gateway Team

Eleanor Mulhern on Eleanor.Mulhern@bracknell-forest.gov.uk or 01344 351410 for the Enhanced Intermediate Care Service (EICS).

As part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to redeployment, please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any stage of the recruitment process if a suitable redeployee is identified.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate experience of working within the current Social Care System and Framework.

HCPC registration fees can be claimed back from the Council.

Any candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the role by assessing their circumstances against the relevant criteria.

No agencies please.