caring for your community
Occupational therapists work with people who have disabilities, and their carers, who are having difficulties with personal, domestic, work and leisure activities. They see children and adults of all ages and disabilities including neurological conditions, arthritic conditions, cancer, cardiac circulatory, learning disabilities and mental health problems and respiratory conditions and HIV/AIDS.
They assess the disabled person and their carer/s to ascertain what is needed to increase independence. This may include provision of specialist equipment, or adaptations to the property, or advise on rehousing. It may also include functional treatment to improve range of movement, coping with perceptual or cognitive deficits, coping with sensory loss or mobility impairment. Occupational therapist’s are registered by the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM). The qualifying degree includes a medical and social analysis of disability. They also have knowledge on housing design and give advice to housing departments on mobility and wheelchair housing.
Work Environment
Occupational therapists are based in a social services office in an occupational therapy or social work team. They visit people at home, residential home, work, school or day centre. They may also have meetings with other colleagues in health centres, hospitals, other authority offices and the voluntary sector.
Daily Activities
Community occupational therapist’s visit people with disabilities and their carers to assess their needs for independence and care at home. There is a substantial amount of report writing and liaison with other bodies including surveyors, manufacturers, disability organisations and people working in Health Trusts. Case conferences and multi-disciplinary meetings are common place.
They organise their own diaries and prioritise their workload but do have regular supervision from a senior occupational therapist. Most community occupational therapy services have a duty system and all occupational therapist’s would contribute to the rota. Some development work for the Service would be undertaken by the occupational therapist’s such as liaison with housing, wheelchair services and update of equipment issued. In-service and professional training is on going.
Skills & Interests
Community occupational therapy involves communicating with vulnerable people about personal issues and activities of their lives and therefore OTs must have the interest and ability to create rapport easily with the general public.
They need to show empathy and be an effective listener but be able to maintain professional objectivity to make a thorough assessment.
They need to have good organising skills, the ability to take on responsibility and problem solve. An interest in disability issues and relevant legislation would be expected.
Entry Requirements
The professional qualification required is a degree or diploma in occupational therapy. This can either be a three year undergraduate or a two year postgraduate course, more details are available from the College of Occupational Therapists.
Estimated salary range
£16,719 - £22,586.
Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.
Future prospects & opportunities
Opportunities for progression to senior occupational therapist’s posts including team manager exist. Some occupational therapist’s advance further to more senior management in social service departments, e.g. Physical Disability Services, Commissioning and Policy work.
Related Occupations
Follow this link to view a list of all related occuptions in Caring For Your Community.
Alternatively, follow this link to view all career profiles placed in the same job area.
Further Information & Services
College of Occupational Therapists www.cot.co.uk
Community Service Volunteers www.csv.org.uk/socialhealthcare
Follow this link for social services recruitment contacts within local councils in your area.
You may find further information about this area of work in your local Connexions service/careers office/school careers library - under JG.
What should I do next?
Look for current local government Occupational Therapist vacancies in the following places:
- LGjobs.com - the official recruitment website for local government.
- Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly jobs bulletins produced by local councils themselves, available from libraries, community centres, town halls/main civic buildings and central council personnel departments.
- Local council websites.
- Local newspapers
- National newspapers - The Guardian is particularly well known for its public sector job advertisements on a Wednesday.
Find out about the council and get some work experience if possible by:
- Making the most of work experience placements arranged through your school, college or university.
- Contacting councils close to your home to find out about the work experience opportunities they offer.
- Talking to someone who does the job you are interested in - ring your local council to see if someone can spare some time.
- Making an appointment to see a careers adviser for more specific information about jobs and training.