Occupational Therapy Assessment Officer for Kent Prisons

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to make a difference to people residing in prisons within Kent County Council’s geographical area. As an Occupational Therapy Assessment Officer, you will work with the person in a strengths-based way, using functional assessments to identify the outcomes that matter most to them. You will find creative solutions to enhance independence including equipment, adaptations, and formal care provision. The role will involve working in partnership with a variety of agencies including Prison, Probation, Health and Housing to ensure that people are supported in the most effective way to meet their needs both within the custodial setting and as part of release planning. You will work closely with an Occupational Therapist and Social Worker as part of the core Adult Social Care Prison Team, however will be responsible for completing assessments within the prison environment and so must be able to work in an autonomous and self-aware manner, seeking support as required. This role requires excellent communication and organisational skills and an ability to be flexible in your way of working.

Kent County Council has excellent opportunities for training and development; you will receive a comprehensive induction and the support and training you need to feel confident and effective in your role, as well training from the Prison around safety and your legal and personal responsibilities whilst in this setting. Although your work with people is face to face, we offer a hybrid approach to the administrative side of working, giving you the opportunity to work both within an office base and at home. The technology and equipment required to work remotely will be provided.

The ability to travel across a wide geographical area in a timely and flexible manner at various times of the day is essential, especially as this role will involve covering prisons across the County.

Occasionally you will be expected to work outside normal office hours to optimise outcomes for service users and provide a responsive, seamless, multi-disciplinary approach.

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring service.

This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.

Our offer:

• Starting salary £25,378

• Full induction and comprehensive professional learning and development programme

• Starting annual leave allowance of 26 to 28 days

• A minimum of 5 days’ training each year

• Excellent Government pension scheme

Interviews will be held in person within the Swale Local Office base in Sittingbourne, Kent. Please contact us to advise of any adjustments that might be required to support you for the interview.

To find out more about this post, please contact Mel Miller, Service Manager for Occupational Therapy in West Kent on 03000 414650 melanie.miller@kent.gov.uk

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds and faiths, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Please note – if you are interested, please apply as soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.