Job Description

Summary

U-turn is looking for a senior occupational therapist to set up the third phase of their intervention model assisting homeless individuals to leave the streets and gain independence. The programme consists of a supporter work component, with an accompanying therapeutic and personal development component. This is a pioneering position and will require the OT's role to change over time as the team grows. Starting date 1 September, location Bosman Street Pretoria.

This Position

Initially the full case-load of 14 clients will be managed by the OT, with the therapeutic support of a counsellor. The position will require the OT to develop a contingent of case-workers to take over certain case-management functions, while continuing to provide therapeutic oversight and growing the interdisciplinary team to include a social worker and others as the need dictates and the funding allows. One of the key functions of the OT is to ensure that the supported work programme prepares individuals for long-term employment options after graduation. This ranges from open labour market or self-employment to sheltered employment with grant support.

This is an ideal position for someone passionate about setting up effective interventions, keen to combine their faith with their clinical practice, and see the value and potential in people, regardless of their circumstances.

Background

U-turn is a thriving non-profit that exists to equip homeless people with the skills to overcome homelessness. Founded in 1997, we believe in life after homelessness. We believe that every homeless individual is intrinsically valuable and should have access to an effective pathway that addresses their physical, spiritual and emotional needs so they can leave the streets and become a long-term productive member of society.

To help homeless people overcome homelessness we operate a phased approach that includes rehabilitation from substance abuse, counselling, life-skills training and sheltered work placement in one of our social enterprises. This allows candidates to test and apply the training they've received. Through this process, the programme inculcates a healthy work ethic, furnishes modern job skills and gives 18-24 months of real work experience so that individuals can graduate and be gainfully employed in the modern South African economy.

The programme is yielding wonderful results. Our candidates typically graduate into open market employment and show an above 85% long-term success rate! We are actively working to expand the programme to more locations in Cape Town and across South Africa.

Service Centres

U-turn's Service Centres provide services to people living on the streets in order to prepare them for and to support them on a journey of change. This includes providing food and clothing (and in some cases access to a shower and a bed for the night), therapeutic and development based interventions, and recovery support for those struggling with substance abuse. The ultimate aim of the Service

Centre is to prepare individuals to participate in our work-based rehabilitation programme.

Work-readiness programme

The work-readiness programme is tasked with providing work-based rehabilitation and skills development training that prepares clients for graduation into employment and reintegration into the community. One day per week, each client attends a training day where they access group therapy delivered by an interdisciplinary team, individual counselling and input using a specially designed curriculum. This cycle of learning and application follows a graded approach and continues for as long as needed (on average 18 months). Case managers coordinate the entire intervention programme for the clients and work in close-collaboration with the worksite managers.

Transitional Accommodation

Due to the nature of our long term interventions we run transitional accommodation in the form of group homes where clients accessing our Work-readiness program can move into when leaving homeless shelters. These homes are managed by a house-manager that along with service centre staff, works-site managers and therapeutic staff forms the client-facing team assisting the clients along the full Life Change journey.

Key areas of responsibility

Lead, grow, develop and manage the interdisciplinary personal development team

Provide clinical oversight to the work-sites, joining in recruitment and providing training to all new work-site staff members in effective supported employment practices.

Screen and assess referred clients and manage the onboarding process

Develop treatment plans according to each individual's needs, providing OT specific interventions (including vocational rehab) and referring relevant aspects the rest of the team (Counsellor and later social worker)

Set up referral networks to supplementary services not provided by the team (i.e. medical and/or acute mental health etc)

Implement the group and individual therapy according to the Personal Development Programme.

Oversee initial case management of all clients on the programme

Grow a case-management team by providing training and supervision to prospective case-managers along with the counsellor

Develop relationships with the local universities and supervise student placements

Use and contribute to existing planning and record-keeping systems to ensure continuous improvement of your areas of responsibility.

Experience and Skills

Qualified occupational therapist with updated registration with HPCSA

Experience of managing and/or setting up an intervention programme

Basic understanding of addiction and recovery required

Experience working in the field of addiction beneficial

Experience in Vocational Rehabilitation is recommended

Experience in management and/or supervision

Drivers license

Personal Attributes

Passion for U-turn's mission and values.

Strong leadership with a collaborative mindset.

Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Empathetic individual that can maintain emotional boundaries and maintain healthy supportive relationships with extremely marginalised and disenfranchised individuals

Creative individual with strong problem solving skills

Organisational Fit (where applicable)

If in Recovery - actively engaged in own ongoing recovery, accessing accountability support and practicing recovery behaviour

If employed as a Professional - affiliation with professional board, continued personal development and accessing supervision

Gospel orientation - connected to a local fellowship of believers, reading the Bible and grounded in Gospel-motivated Social Action

Next Steps

Candidates interested in this position should apply online at The letter of motivation should be approximately 1 page in length and include information on why you would like to work at U-turn and how you fulfil the required knowledge skills set outlined above. Please note that applications without a letter of motivation will not be considered. IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD FROM US WITHIN 4 WEEKS, PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION UNSUCCESSFUL

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person

Expected Start Date: 2025/09/01