Occupational Therapy Assistant

Occupational Therapy Assistant (Temporary Maternity Cover)

Salary: C1 £ 28,598 - £31,022

Hours: 37

Contract: Temporary maternity cover

Location: Blue Badge Service – St Georges Centre, Leeds City Council

Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) are part of the Disability Services Teams within the wider Early Intervention Service. OTAs work alongside Occupational Therapists, Rehabilitation Officers and Visual Impairment staff to conduct home assessments of disabled and older adults, with a strength‑based, occupational focus that aims to reduce, delay and prevent the need for formal care. OTAs undertake enhanced screening of referrals, provide information, advice and determine the best pathway for individuals, and support the work of Registered Occupational Therapists.

• Undertake assessments for service users, identifying needs and recommending equipment and adaptations to support independence.
• Carry a caseload of appropriately allocated cases, developing and reviewing outcome‑focused interventions to promote independent wellbeing and inclusion.
• Work alongside Occupational Therapists and Reablement staff to deliver reablement/rehabilitation to improve service user confidence and independence.
• Analyse information to support ongoing needs of service users, their families and carers.
• Prepare concise, informative written and verbal reports based on a range of information sources.
• Maintain and update case notes and other records, ensuring accurate documentation.
• Deliver, fit and collect equipment as appropriate, including necessary moving and handling of equipment.
• Contribute to enhanced screening of new referrals and current service users.
• Use management information systems, keeping them up to date and able to provide concise, accurate information within data‑protection limits.
• Ensure compliance with relevant governance, policy and procedures.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals to ensure an integrated, holistic and multidisciplinary approach to care management and safeguarding.
• Collaborate with other council services, including Social Work, Neighbourhood Teams and Housing, to deliver effective solutions to barriers faced by disabled people.
• Make appropriate referrals to Housing for service users requiring rehousing.
• Promote improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.
• Apply all relevant policies and procedures, including health and safety, confidentiality and data protection.
• Assist with the practice education of undergraduate OT students.
• Work within the safeguarding framework, raising alerts and assisting with risk management where individuals have experienced or may experience significant harm.
• Participate in meetings and relevant forums.
• Organise work activities, prioritising tasks and responsibilities to meet statutory legislation and service priorities.
• Respond to equipment breakdowns.
• Maintain performance to prescribed standards, developing practice and experience in line with personal targets agreed with line manager through supervision and appraisal.
• Work in a community‑based social and/or health care setting, travelling to different locations across the city as required.
• Work as part of a team, maintaining effective relationships with colleagues, service users, families, carers and other agencies.
• Be flexible and adaptable to change, supporting other services as required.
• Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to keep knowledge and skills up to date.
• Improve own practice through observation, evaluation and discussion with colleagues.
• Collaborate with colleagues, seeking help and advice when needed.
• Contribute to the overall ethos, work and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days and events as requested.
• Ensure awareness of—and support for—equality, diversity and anti‑discriminatory practice.
• Recognise and challenge incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation, and report concerns appropriately.
• Work within the council’s flexibility protocol.
• Perform any other duties within the spirit of the post, commensurate with the job evaluation outcome.