Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist (Part-Time)

32 hours per week / 40 weeks per year

FTE Salary: £43,732 - £49,822

Actual Salary: £30,696 - £34,970

*Inclusive of £2,000 market supplement

We are looking for an Occupational Therapist, ideally with training in sensory Integration, to develop an occupational therapy service embedded within Ruskin Mill’s unique method of Practical Skills Therapeutic Education (PSTE) and Rudolf Steiner’s approach to human development as interventions to meet the students’ sensory and self-regulation needs as identified in their Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

The successful candidate would work across Glasshouse College, Stourbridge and Argent College in Birmingham.

The main duties for the successful candidate are:

• To provide, an effective and specialised Occupational Therapy (OT) service to a defined caseload of residential and day students at Argent & Glasshouse College following the Trust’s method of Practical Skills Therapeutic Education.
• To contribute to the development of sensory and experiential learning plans for students at Argent & Glasshouse College in which sensory and experiential learning is interwoven within their daytime and residential activities.
• Deliver weekly direct (1:1), small group and class-based interventions as identified in the EHC plan, including therapy within the craft and outdoor settings.
• To feedback on the suitability of the Practical Skills Therapeutic Education (PSTE) curriculum and how it meet the needs of the students from an occupational therapy perspective, and to suggest suitable activities for each student within this framework.
• Undertake formal OT assessments through student observation and report submission, liaising with staff/parent/carers, and other key stakeholders as required.
• To support the creation of resources facilitating sensory and experiential activities within the day and residential provision.
• To actively develop and apply clinical skills in the area of sensory Integration and to develop clinical skills in both occupational therapy assessment and other baseline assessments used within Argent & Glasshouse Colleges, treatment planning, intervention, and evaluation.
• To provide specialist advice and support to other colleagues, departments, professionals, and families / carers within the Practical Skills Therapeutic Education method.
• To contribute to the evaluation and continued development of the Occupational Therapy Service

Training in our method, Practical Skills Therapeutic Education (PSTE), will be provided, but ideally the post holder would have knowledge of, or be open to, Steiner principles of holistic and experiential education and therapeutic care.

Ruskin Mill Trust’s PSTE method involved using an experiential and sensory approach to human development through practical activities within an outdoor environment. These activities support the holistic development of our young people towards their acquisition of skills for independence, confidence, building relationships, emotional regulation, and physical and motor skills development, as well as fostering their sense of belonging and ability to contribute to their community.

Working at Ruskin Mill Trust is incredibly rewarding; we offer competitive salaries and holiday allowances, an auto-enrolment pension scheme with a salary sacrifice option, a health cash plan and employee assistance programme via Medicash.

In addition, staff receive valuable training opportunities including an in-depth interactive induction to enable our new team members to experience our Practical Skills Therapeutic Education (PSTE) curriculum and also opportunities for further training and academic research including our own MSc in Practical Skills Therapeutic Education.

Full details of our benefits can be viewed on www.rmt.org/careers

**Early applications are encouraged as we reserve the right to close the application early in the event of finding the right candidate*

Glasshouse College reflects the history of the Stourbridge glassmaking district. The local traditions of glassblowing, etching and engraving provide a rich stimulus for the college’s signature craft. Our students also attend other craft workshops including green woodwork, blacksmithing and textiles.

Argent College is located in the Standard Works, in the Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham. The former jewellery factory has been transformed into a college, the highly commended Hive Café and Bakery, a heritage centre, community spaces and an urban rooftop microfarm.

Both are part of Ruskin Mill Trust.

Established in 1984, Ruskin Mill Trust is an educational charity that operates in England, Scotland and Wales.

We offer exciting outdoor learning environments, utilising practical land and craft activities to support the development of work and life skills in young people with autistic spectrum conditions and other learning differences. Our research-led method, Practical Skills Therapeutic Education, is inspired by the work of Rudolf Steiner, John Ruskin and William Morris. Working with hand, head, heart and place, Ruskin Mill Trust helps individuals to re-imagine their potential.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Level Disclosure as well as a medical check, references, evidence of qualifications, plus verification of the right to work in the UK.