Advertised role location: Ceara School
Official document: AHP Assistant (OT and PT) Band 3 55953611 (pdf)
AHP Assistant (OT/PT)
Band 3

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JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB SUMMARY
Children and Young People who attend the special schools have a range of management
and medical needs because of Learning and/or Complex Physical Disability.
The post holder will work as a dedicated member of the therapy team using practical and
technical skills to support the provision of a high quality, flexible, child centred service,
primarily to children and young people (CYP) who attend the special schools throughout
the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.
The primary objective of this service is to assist with the provision of occupational therapy
and physiotherapy under the direction of Registered Occupational Therapist and
Physiotherapists through:
1. Carryout delegated tasks using competency-based skills with the children/young
people according to set treatment protocols, monitoring patient progression, make
minor alterations to patient treatment programmes as advised and within
competency level.
2. To be responsible for cases allocated and for organising own workload in the
school setting, taking account of untoward events and unexpected circumstances,
in line with agreed service priorities, policies and procedures of the Trust under
direct supervision of the team Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist
JOB TITLE AHP Assistant (OT and PT)
BAND 3
DIRECTORATE Children Young Persons & Women’s Service
INITIAL LOCATION Ceara Special School Lurgan
REPORTS TO Clinical Lead OT Special Schools
ACCOUNTABLE TO Head of Service AHP, CDC &RISE NI, SCHD,
CYPWS, SHSCT

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3. Keeping accurate and up to date clinical records both written and electronic and
ensuring findings are reported verbally to the supervising therapist.
4. Ensuring documentation is carefully recorded to agreed standards and verbal
report given to supervising Therapist.
5. Working collaboratively within the multi-disciplinary team setting to ensure the
effective delivery of service to CYP, their family and carers.
KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical Duties/Responsibilities
1. Following screening and allocation of caseload, carry out home visits as deemed
appropriate and requested by Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy Manager/Senior
Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist as per Departmental guidelines.
2. To deliver individual and group Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy programmes
as formulated by the registered Occupational Therapists/Physiotherapist, monitor
progress and report back as necessary.
3. To prepare and maintain specialist resources for Occupational
Therapy/Physiotherapy programmes under guidance of the registered Occupational
Therapists/Physiotherapist.
4. To use competency based verbal and non-verbal communication skills to develop a
rapport with clients who have complex communication difficulties and behavioural
issues, due to e.g. learning disability and other complex conditions.
5. The issue of occupational therapy/physiotherapy equipment as deemed appropriate
by a registered occupational therapist/physiotherapist and as per competency level
6. To provide appropriate demonstration, follow up training in use of equipment/ devices
issued and ensure safe client use of equipment/device.
7. To monitor/review equipment/devices provided as requested by Occupational
Therapist/Physiotherapist.
8. Assist Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist in providing support and/or ongoing
therapeutic intervention, in school, hydrotherapy pool and child’s home
9. Provide clear and concise verbal feedback to individual Occupational
Therapist/Physiotherapy Team and ensure all action is clearly documented.
10. Identify risks and take appropriate action and to be involved in the implementation of
risk management programmes in relation to Manual Handling activities of daily living

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and the environment under supervision of the Occupational
Therapist/Physiotherapist.
11. To maintain relevant stock control systems to ensure sufficient supplies whilst
preventing waste.
12. To prepare child/young person for treatment, including preparation of equipment and
helping child/young person with personal care tasks as required.
13. To assist with child/young person’s activities with other members of the AHP team
when so requested by the therapists.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
1. Complete all relevant training and competencies required by the specific post and
demands of the service.
2. Ensure mandatory training is kept up to date.
3. Participate in in-service training programmes and contribute when required to
presentations / talks to other disciplines and students.
4. To maintain Training Passport record of continued development
PERSONAL AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES (PPI)
Involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community where relevant, in developing,
planning, delivering and evaluating our services in a meaningful and effective way, as
part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal Public Involvement (PPI) and Co-
Production. Further information is available at engage.hscni.net
RAISING CONCERNS - RESPONSIBILITIES
The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of
openness and transparency.
The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act
in accordance with the Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy
and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

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The post holder will be required to:
1. Assist the organisation in fulfilling its statutory duties under Section 75 of the
Northern Ireland Act 1998 to promote equality of opportunity and good relations and
under the Disability Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. Staff are also
required to support the organisation in complying with its obligations under Human
Rights Legislation.
2. Ensure the Organisation’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through
his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.
3. Co-operate fully with the implementation of The Organisation's Health and Safety
arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her
manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for
patients/clients, members of the public and staff.
4. Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example:
• Smoke Free policy
• IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct
• standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour
5. Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your
designated area of work.
6. Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection
prevention and control.
7. Take responsibility to minimise the Trust’s environmental impact wherever possible.
This will include recycling, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment
when not in use. Helping to reduce paper waste by minimising printing/copying and
reducing water usage, reporting faults and heating / cooling concerns promptly and
minimising travel.
8. All employees of the Organisation are legally responsible for all records held, created
or used as part of their business within the [org name] including patients/clients,
corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also
including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the
general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information act 2000
the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection
Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to
be conversant with the [org name] policy and procedures on records management
and to seek advice if in doubt.

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9. Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to
maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.
10. Represent The Organisation’s commitment to providing the highest possible
standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all
those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant,
courteous and respectful manner.
This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and
is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines
within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the
grade may be assigned from time to time.
It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location
within The Organisation's area, as needs of the service demand.
July 2026

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PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE AND BAND AHP Assistant (OT and PT)
DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE Ceara Special School, CYPWS
HOURS: 37.5 (1.0 WTE)
July 2026
Notes to applicants:
1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the
required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly
demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.
2. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below,
using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves
the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly
demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.
3. Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment
is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

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ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting
stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should
therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria.
Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the
criteria will be measured is stated below.
Factor Essential
Criteria
Number
Criteria Method of
Assessment
Qualifications
/ Experience
E1
NVQ / RQF / QCF Diploma level 3 or higher
qualification in Health Care
OR
4 GCSE’s at grade C or above including
English Language and Maths or equivalent /
higher qualification AND 1 years’ experience
in a health / social care related role,
delivering direct care within a care
environment
1
1
“Care environment” is defined as paid or
voluntary experience within hospital,
residential, nursing home, school,
educational or community setting.
This must be evidenced on the application
form.
Shortlisting by
Application Form
E2
Willing to undertake and successfully
complete the RQF Level 3 Diploma in Health
Care
2
as related to the role of Occupational
Therapy/Physiotherapy Assistant, Band 3, (or
equivalent qualification as specified by the
Royal College of Occupational
Therapy/Chartered Society of
Phsyiotherapy).
2
As this qualification is role specific, it must
be completed by all appointees, whether or
not they have previously completed a similar
qualification, within a different role. For the
majority of staff, it would be expected that this
Certificate will be completed at the earliest
opportunity, which will normally be within 12
months of appointment.
Shortlisting by
Application Form

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E3
Demonstrate evidence of basic computer
skills i.e. experience in the use of packages
such as Email, Word or Excel for example.
Shortlisting by
Application Form
Other
E4
Hold a current full driving licence which is valid
for use in the UK and have access to a car on
appointment
3
.
This criterion is not applicable to a very small
number of posts (that do not require cross-
site or community working). Non-drivers, or
those who do not have access to a car, may
apply but must note that their choice and
preferences of posts will be limited.
3
This criterion will be waived in the case of
applicants whose disability prohibits driving but
who have access to a form of transport
approved by The Organisation which will
permit them to carry out the duties of the post.
Shortlisting by
Application Form
SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/
selection stage:
Skills /
Abilities
E5
E6
E7
E8
E9
E10
Effective communications skills to meet the
needs of the post in full.
Ability to work as part of a team.
Ability to use own initiative.
Good organisational skills with an ability to
prioritise own workload.
Willing to work flexibly to meet service needs.
This could include weekend and evening
rotas for some posts.
Willing to undertake further specialist training
necessary for the role.
Interview
Knowledge
E11
E12
E13
Understanding of role.
Understanding of patient / service user experience
needs in a caring environment.
Awareness of health & safety issues
Interview

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As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry
out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this
post can be confirmed.
Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment
THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times