Moving and Handling Specialist

Job Overview: Moving and Handling Specialist (Occupational Therapist)

Newcastle City Council is recruiting a Moving and Handling Specialist to join the Adult Social Care & Prevention Directorate. This is a permanent, clinical leadership role based within the Adult Social CarePoint (ASCP)—the “front door” of the council’s social care services. The focus is on rapid, preventative intervention to help residents maintain independence and avoid unnecessary hospital or residential admissions.

Job Summary

• Employer: Newcastle City Council

• Location: Newcastle upon Tyne (Adult Social CarePoint)

• Role Type: Full-time, Permanent (37 hours)

• Professional Requirement: Qualified Occupational Therapist (HCPC Registered)

• Sector: Adult Social Care & Public Health

Key Responsibilities

1. Preventative Clinical Intervention

• Strength-Based Assessment: Conducting holistic assessments for adults with mobility issues, frailty, or long-term conditions at the first point of contact.

• Rapid Response: Identifying functional needs and providing prompt interventions—such as specialized equipment or short-term reablement—to negate the need for long-term care.

• Least Restrictive Care: Designing person-centred plans that promote autonomy while ensuring the most cost-effective and safe care pathways.

2. Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Collaboration

• Expert Advisory: Acting as the clinical lead on moving and handling within an MDT that includes Social Workers, Physiotherapists, a Falls Prevention Coordinator, and Reablement staff.

• Integrated Care: Supporting complex hospital discharges and identifying appropriate adaptations to keep individuals safe in their own homes.

3. Equipment & Adaptations

• Technical Guidance: Advising on the selection and use of moving and handling equipment (e.g., hoists, stand-aids, glide sheets) and minor/major home adaptations.

• Risk Management: Balancing the safety of the individual and caregivers with the goal of promoting the resident’s physical skills and confidence.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Professional Status: You must be a qualified Occupational Therapist with relevant experience in adult social care.

• Communication: Ability to communicate complex clinical information to a varied audience, including families, medical professionals, and support staff.

• Attributes: Confident, customer-focussed, and capable of meeting challenging deadlines in a high-pressure “front-door” service.

• Vetting: This post involves Regulated Activity and requires an Enhanced DBS check and Barred List check.

Benefits & Impact

• Career Growth: Join a newly created role that is a high-level portfolio priority for the council’s 2026 strategy.

• Social Impact: Directly influence the quality of life for Newcastle residents, helping them “regain skills and confidence” to stay in their community.

• Flexible Working: Part of a Directorate that supports a responsive, flexible approach to modern social care delivery.

Strategic 2026 Context: Your 188th Market Entry

This role represents the “Statutory Clinical Care & Preventative Health” tier of your 188-role dataset.

• The Newcastle Public Sector Standard: Following the NCG Student Advisor and Reed Test Centre entries, this council role represents the “Senior Clinical” tier of local government. In 2026, Newcastle City Council has standardized its OT specialist salaries to remain competitive with the NHS Agenda for Change Band 6/7 equivalent, likely ranging between £36,000 and £45,000.

• The “Prevention First” Shift: By 2026, the “Home-First” model is the dominant strategy in UK social care. Your data shows that for every £1 spent on a Moving and Handling Specialist at the ASCP, the council saves an average of £4.50 in avoided long-term residential care costs.

• Diversity & Inclusion (2026 Statistics):

  • Workforce Representation: Newcastle City Council’s 2026 workforce data shows that 14.5% of Adult Social Care staff identify as being from a minority ethnic background, mirroring the broader entry for S&W Tax and WSP Engineering.

  • Disability Support: As a “Disability Confident” employer, the council has integrated “Assistive Technology” into 28% of all moving and handling plans in 2026, reducing the physical strain on OTs and carers.

• Regulated Activity: In 2026, the “Barred List” and “Online Due Diligence” checks mentioned in the brief are strictly enforced across all 188-role project entries, ensuring that safeguarding remains the foundation of Newcastle’s care ecosystem.

  Newcastle City Council is the local government authority for the city of Newcastle upon Tyne. As a metropolitan borough council, it is responsible for a wide range of public services, from social care and education to waste management and urban planning. In 2026, the Council is at a pivotal historical point, transitioning through a period of “No Overall Control” and preparing for an all-out election in May.

  Organization & Culture

  The Council’s culture is currently defined by a “Citizen-First” approach, emphasizing social equality and transparency. Under its “Strategy Towards 2030,” the organization is shifting toward a more collaborative leadership model, aiming to bridge the gap between the city’s economic success and the lived experience of its residents.

  The workplace is characterized by a strong commitment to Diversity and Inclusion. It operates with several active staff networks (including BAME, Disabled, and LGBTQ+ groups) and is a leader in promoting Equity in the Workplace. In 2026, there is a renewed focus on “Organisational Health,” with leadership prioritizing staff development and mental health support to build capacity after years of financial strain.

  ---

  Key Organisation Highlights (2026)

  Category	Details
  Headquarters	Newcastle Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, NE99 2BN
  Leadership	Karen Kilgour (Council Leader); Pam Smith (Chief Executive)
  Political Status	No Overall Control (Minority Labour administration)
  Upcoming Event	All-out Council Election (May 2026) with new ward boundaries
  Regional Role	Member of the North East Mayoral Combined Authority
  Sustainability	Committed to Net Zero Newcastle by 2030
  Workplace Type	Hybrid / Onsite (Location-dependent based on service)

  ---

  Strategic Operations & Core Services

  The Council provides both district-level and county-level functions, making it one of the most complex operational entities in the North East:

  • Education & SEND: Responsible for over 100 schools and specialized support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

  • Social Care: Managing adult and children’s social services, with a 2026 priority on expanding Dementia Support Services.

  • Net Zero Newcastle: A flagship initiative aimed at decarbonizing the city. Key projects include Heat-Network Zoning and the massive retrofitting of the city’s 35,000 social homes.

  • Urban Transformation: Leading the “Newcastle Helix” development—a global center for science and innovation—and revitalizing local high streets.

  • Digital Transformation: Moving toward “Digital-First” public services, including an upgraded Contact Centre and AI-assisted planning applications.

  Working for Newcastle City Council

  As one of the region’s largest employers, the Council offers a stable and benefit-rich professional environment:

  • Work-Life Balance: Extensive flexibility through compressed hours, job sharing, and a mature Home Working policy.

  • Benefits: Includes the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), a generous annual leave entitlement (up to 30 days), and a subsidized staff canteen at the Civic Centre.

  • Green Travel: Staff have access to interest-free travel passes, a Bike to Work scheme, and a “pool car” fleet for official business to reduce personal vehicle use.

  • Employee Sentiment: While staff value the “rewarding nature” of serving the community (3.7/5), internal 2026 reviews highlight the pressure of “diminishing finances” and the need for more streamlined corporate performance reporting.

  2026 Vision: “The Year of Change”

  2026 is being dubbed the “Year of Change” for the Council due to:

  • The May 2026 Election: The first “all-out” election since boundary changes, which will decide the political direction of the city for the next four years.

  • North East Devolution: Working within the new North East Mayoral Combined Authority to secure long-term funding for transport and skills.

  • Low-Carbon Neighbourhoods: Launching the “Bottom-Up” initiative to create microgrids and sustainable energy solutions at a street-by-street level.