About this role
Job summary
Please note: at this stage, the role is open only to colleagues currently employed within Kent and Medway NHS Trusts, the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Medway Community Healthcare. Nursing and AHP vacancies are also open to Student Nurses and Newly Qualified Nurses/AHPs.
The NHS is changing. More emphasis on community-based care means there's never been a better time to join us.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and adaptable Therapy Assistant to join our professional team.
To work independently as an Interdisciplinary Therapy Assistant (ITA) within the Complex Needs Team, with an emphasis on supportingequipment/adaptations OT, within the team under the guidance of, but not under the direct supervision of a therapist.
Will include housing needsassessments. Community working across East Sussex with hybrid-working.
Main duties of the job
- 1. To implement therapy intervention and programmes devised by a therapist for groups and/or individuals in a range of setting, e.g. schools, preschool settings2. To modifying the interventions and programmes as appropriate, to meet the needs of individual children and their families/carers3. To deliver standardised training packages to parents/carers and other practitioners as part of a package of intervention4. To administer and score (where appropriate) formal and informal assessments to be interpreted with the support of a therapist5. To carryout assessment of basic equipment in child's home, .e.g. bath board, rails and toilet frame (specific to post)*6. To carryout equipment checks and minor adjustments in a range of settings ((specific to post)*7. To independently provide written and oral advice regarding children's progress following a period of intervention, within agreed service guidelines8. To engage in first line problem solving with families/carers as appropriate
About us
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust is due to integrate with Medway Community Healthcare on 1 October 2026. Following integration and to align our community services to the new Neighbourhood Model of care delivery, there will be a period of consultation which may result in changes affecting some services, teams or roles. Depending on the area you are applying to work in, this could include potential changes to your role, work base, reporting arrangements, or terms and conditions of employment. Any changes would be subject to consultation and managed sensitively and in line with relevant employment processes. Please do contact the recruiting manager if you have any concerns about this so they can answer any questions you might have.
Rated 'Outstanding' by CQC, we deliver high-quality care that improves the health of our communities. We are looking for people who share our values: Compassionate, Aspirational, Responsive and Excellent.
We are proud to be an inclusive, welcoming organisation and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We use protected characteristic information for monitoring only and it is not seen by recruiting managers, except where applicants choose to be considered under our disability guaranteed interview scheme.
We know life outside work matters. As a flexible working-friendly organisation, we welcome conversations about arrangements that help you thrive while supporting excellent care for our patients.
Explore KCHFTcareer pathways
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a community Trust, many of our roles require individuals to be able to drive to perform their duties. Where driving is a requirement of the role, you will be asked to confirm that you hold a full UK driving licence or a full driving licence issued by an EU country (not exchanged from a non-EU country) to proceed with your application. We are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities into employment. If you are unable to drive due to a disability, please contact the Recruitment Team [email protected], quoting the vacancy reference number, so we can support you further.
The job description and person specification gives you all the information you need about this role. Please look carefully at the criteria in the person specification and tell us what you have done that shows you meet this in your application. If you need an application form in an alternative format please let our recruitment team know. All information you supply on your application should, to the best of your knowledge, be true and accurate.
Still have questions? The recruiting manager would love to hear from you, their contact details can be found in the job advert.
We can get a lot of applications for some roles so to be in with the best chance of being shortlisted please make sure you apply as soon as possible. A vacancy may close early if there is a lot of interest in the job.
At KCHFT we strongly encourage colleagues in clinical and non-clinical roles who have direct or social contact with patients to be fully vaccinated. In this way we will be doing all we can to ensure your safety and that of your colleagues and the patients we serve.
Find out more about the community differencehere.
Good luck! We cant wait to meet you and welcome you to #teamKCHFT, #cometocommunity.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE or equivalent education. [relevant discipline specific additional training to diploma level]; NVQ level 3 in early years, education and care or relevant level 3 NVQ (or equivalent level 3 qualification).
Desirable
- Clinical Supervisor Training
Experience
Essential
- Recent experience of working with children with SEN+D in relevant settings, e.g. preschool, school, NHS
Desirable
- Experience of delivering training
Knowledge
Essential
- Basic knowledge of how therapy can support children's functioning
Desirable
- Good knowledge of a range of treatment protocols appropriate to paediatrics
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Keyboard skills, Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation & listening
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.
Employer details
Employer name
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Chaucer Clinic, Polegate
Polegate
BN26 6QH
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)