Occupational Therapist Job Description Job title Responsible to Key relationship with Job Purpose Occupational Therapist Occupational Therapist SENCo, Assistant Head Teacher SENCo Headteacher Assistant Head Teacher Speech and Language Therapist Class teachers TAs Residential Childcare Practitioners Family Support and Child Protection Officer Other Professionals and Clinicians Parents/Carers Wider school staff The primary role of the Occupational Therapist will be to provide clinically effective, person-centred, and evidence-based occupational therapy assessment and intervention to pupils with SEMH and co-current conditions. As we expand our integrative therapy services, this role will take a holistic approach, working directly with pupils within classrooms and throughout the 24-hour curriculum, rather than solely in traditional therapy settings. The Occupational Therapist will provide expertise both 'on the ground' – embedding therapeutic strategies into everyday activities and routines – and through formal assessments and report writing. The Occupational Therapist will be an excellent communicator, who can maintain very effective communication systems with teaching, residential childcare practitioners and support staff, and work together to raise the standards of attainment and achievement and to monitor and support pupil progress. This will include close collaboration with class teams to ensure that occupational therapy principles are woven into daily learning and living activities. The Occupational Therapist will provide training and support to all education and support staff to ensure occupational therapy interventions are delivered effectively across all settings, including classrooms, residential areas, and throughout the school day. General responsibilities • To be familiar with the school curriculum, the age- related expectations of pupils, the main teaching and learning methods and the assessment frameworks. • To be aware of and support difference and ensure all pupils have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop. • To actively commit to Marchant-Holliday School’s vision, values and ethos. Specific Responsibilities • To follow and promote the school's policies. • To use a range of behaviour management strategies, in line with school’s policy and procedures, to contribute to a purposeful learning environment and to encourage pupils to interact and work cooperatively with others. • To demonstrate and promote the positive values, attitudes and behaviour you expect from the pupils you work with. • To use IT systems and technology to support intervention and learning and as required to carry out the duties of the post in the most efficient and effective manner. • To support in the management of all aspects of inclusion and intervention for pupils with additional educational needs in school. • To liaise with relevant outside agencies (SALT, EP, Clinical Psychiatrists) to ensure that individual pupil SEN are met effectively and that the requirements of EHCPs are met fully. • To use clinical reasoning skills, to analyse and interpret assessment results in order to set appropriate therapy goals and outcome measures. • To monitor, evaluate and modify intervention in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention. • To provide individual or small group therapy, as required through EHCP allocation and Teaching and Learning plans. • To provide and maintain comprehensive OT provision using a Sensory Integration approach for pupils with SEMH within our Special School environment. • To support and train class-based staff in order for them to have an understanding of pupils’ sensory needs and additional OT needs and to provide appropriate support. • To support and train class-based staff in order for them to have an understanding of pupils’ social communication needs. • To support and train class-based staff in order for them to have an understanding of pupils’ emotional regulation needs. • To train class-based staff in the use of strategies that help the pupils participate in social interactions and everyday activities. • To support and train class-based staff in ways to adjust their language and interaction styles and how they can provide models of play and behaviour for pupils. • To monitor and evaluate the way in which the environment and activities are structured to ensure social communication and emotional regulation are encouraged (making recommendations for improvement where necessary). To manage the physical resources available, including aspects of a budget and supervising and supporting pupils’ intervention support. • • To provide functional assessment of children with SEMH and deliver individualised intervention aimed at maximising function. • To undertake all aspects of OT duties as an autonomous practitioner. • To be responsible for a defined case load, working autonomously with access to external supervision and to keep up to date with current practice and professional development. • Ensure accurate and detailed records are kept and stored of meetings and discussions with parents and outside agencies for GDPR compliance. • Ensure that staff are kept informed of pupils’ OT needs and interventions and advise on areas to develop. • Work with the SENCO and other staff to ensure that all Pupil Paperwork- including PEPS, PDPS, Boxalls, T&Ls and IPOPs- and plans are used to set OT specific targets and match work well to pupils’ needs. • Update pupil records as appropriate and assist the SENCO with more complex paperwork as when necessary. • Attend meetings as directed by the SENCO. • Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety, security and confidentiality reporting all concerns to an appropriate person to ensure pupils’ wellbeing. • Club time activities • • Support staff with morning drop off and afternoon pick Lunch and play time supervision up when required Additional Occasional Duties Wider school responsibilities • Supervise and provide activities for children in the Safeguarding Personal Development absence of other workers as required. • Assist in the preparation of the School for special events and carry out any associated cleaning tasks required after. • Work within the requirements of Data Protection legislation at all times. • Understand your responsibilities in relation to Safeguarding and child protection and how to highlight any issue or raise any concerns. • Remain vigilant to ensure all pupils are protected from potential harm by following safeguarding and child protection policies and protocols. • Help keep your own knowledge and understanding relevant and up-to-date by reflecting on your own practice, liaising with school leaders, and identifying relevant professional development to improve personal effectiveness • Take opportunities to build the appropriate skills, qualifications, and/or experience needed for the role, with support from the school • Take part in the school’s appraisal procedures • To actively engage in Performance Management Review process This job description is not necessarily a comprehensive definition of the post. It is representative only. Other reasonable duties may be allocated from time to time commensurate with the general character of this post and its grading. Where such duties amount to more than a temporary adjustment to the main responsibilities of this job description, it will be amended accordingly. It will anyway be subject to periodic amendment whenever circumstances or appraisal processes dictate changes in the post holder’s role within the school. Sign…………………………………………………………. Date……………………………………………… Print………………………………………………………..