About this role
Job summary
Due to maternity cover (12 months Fixed term until 31.07.2027), there is an exciting opportunity to work as a Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist within the Orchids Team , a National and Specialist CAMHS service working in collaboration with the Autism and Intellectual Disabilities- Intensive Intervention Team (AID-IIT), who have close links with the Service for Complex Autism and Associated Neurodevelopmental Disorders (SCAAND). Orchids work with young people across London aged under 13, with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of autism and/or intellectual disability and complex mental health needs, with an aim to reduce or prevent inpatient admission and support young people to remain in the community where possible.Our national and specialist CAMHS services have a formidable reputation nationally and internationally and are made up of a broad range of outpatient clinics, and five inpatient units. We have a strong tradition of evidence-based treatment, and are active in clinical research; developing, assessing and implementing effective new treatments such as intensive day treatments for eating disorders.
Our clinical teams are fully committed to multi-disciplinary, comprehensive assessments of young people within their family and social context, taking into account their academic achievements and potential.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will work as a Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist in the Orchids Team to lead on occupational therapy input within the team, including offering highly specialist input into MDT assessments, occupational therapy assessment and interventions to young people and parents/carers and consultation, training and support to multi-agency local networks including staff from local and inpatient CAMHS settings. The role includes work across a range of settings - offering work in community settings, inpatient settings, working from home, and working from our clinic base, depending on the needs of the young person, family and network.
About us
Orchids is an exciting National and Specialist CAMHS Service which aims to reduce or prevent where possible inpatient CAMHS admissions for children aged under 13, with suspected or confirmed diagnoses of Intellectual Disabilities and Autism and to support these young people to continue to live within the community. The Orchids service works in collaboration with the AID-IIT service and has close links with the specialist outpatient component of SCAAND, as well as a number of specialist Outpatient CAMHS services.
Orchids is a multi-disciplinary team including a Clinical Psychologist, Behaviour Analyst, Trainee Clinical Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Therapist (also linked to Guys and St Thomas's NHS Trust), Consultant Psychiatrist, Family Therapist, Specialist Teacher (also linked to the National Autistic Society) and Admin support.
Flexible working:As one of the few Trusts in London we are proud to offer flexible working as part of our new ways of working, and we are happy to talk flexible working at the interview stage. In this role you will be able to work Monday to Friday in the time frames from 9am to 5pm, giving you the very best of good work life balance. (This may include working early mornings, later evenings or Saturdays as part of the core working hours/working pattern for this post)
Job description Job responsibilities
To offer specialist occupational therapy within the multi-disciplinary team, including offering assessment and intervention to young people with highly complex presentations, their families and wider networks, using evidence based / client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions and liaising with professional networks to offer specialist occupational therapy consultation. To manage a complex caseload, using evidence based / client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions. To provide clinical leadership for junior staff and students through support and training. To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of clinical services using advanced clinical skills and knowledge. To regularly supervise occupational therapy students on practice placement. To provide specialist advice on the assessment and intervention of occupational needs for children/young people with a neurodevelopmental profile. To develop occupational therapy interventions in this specialty undertaking regular audit and R&D activities. To provide training and consultancy for occupational therapy within the specialty. To participate in service development for the service, working with young people with autism spectrum disorder and/or an intellectual disability at imminent risk of inpatient admission in London. To work flexibly as needed across settings offering outreach work when needed for example seeing young people in inpatient settings, family homes, community settings across London as required.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Qualified and registered Occupational Therapist with HCPC (A)
Desirable
Postgraduate in sensory integration Other postgraduate training relevant to CAMHS Membership of OT professional body and / or special interest group (A) Specialist training and/or experience in autism assessment measures, including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) (A/I/) Management qualification, management training course completion or line management experience (A/I)
Experience Essential
Substantial post registration experience as an occupational therapist (A/I) Leadership experience and line management experience Significant post registration experience working with Mental Health service users (A/I) Experience assessment and treatment of clients with a range of occupational needs of a complex nature in children with autism spectrum disorders and associated neurodevelopmental conditions, intellectual disabilities and comorbid mental health difficulties (A/I) Extensive clinical experience including individual and group work (A/I)
Desirable
Experience of working with people with challenging behaviours (A/I) Experience of specialist Mental Health settings (A/I) Specialised training and/or experience in the diagnosis and treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder. (A/I)
Knowledge/Skills Essential
Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders and associated neurodevelopmental conditions intellectual disabilities and comorbid mental health difficulties (A/I) Specialist knowledge and application of occupational therapy assessments, interventions, and outcome measures for children and young people with autism and other neurodevelopmental difficulties (A/I) To communicate skilfully, accessibly and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including, sensory and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information.(A/I) Ability to work autonomously and determine priorities for the occupational therapy/team service (A/I) Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles (A/I)
Analytical and Judgemnetal skills Essential
Strategic comprehension: ability to recognise key and underlying issues in complex situations, the immediate long-term implications of decisions to make the interconnections. Analytical ability: capacity to process detailed information rapidly Ability to translate complex issues into meaningful actions and to develop others to do so. Cultural flexibility: ability to develop an in-depth understanding of a wide range of organisational and community cultures, developing plans and strategies with all stakeholders.
Result orientated and motivation Essential
Focused on improvement: acts to improve performance and establish high standards of quality. Experience of setting objective measurements and developing and monitoring systems for performance management and improvement Has high capacity for concentration and activity and is outcome-orientated. Develops others to grow their capacity and potential. Inclusivity and cultural sensitivity
Other Essential
Ability to work creatively as a leader or a member of a team with internal and external colleagues and stakeholders. Ability to relate to other people and bring the best out of them. Willingness to work flexibly (I)
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Address Pears Maudsley Centre for Children and Young People (PMCYP)
Maudsley Hospital
Denmark hill
SE5 8AZ
Employer's website https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)