Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Band 7 - School

The Methodist Church in Britain; Tadworth; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

London weighting

Adoption pay

Enhanced paternity leave

Paid carers leave

Additional annual leave of 35 to 41 s

Staff shuttle service from Epsom and S

NHS pension or alternative scheme

Free on-site parking

Job summary

The Childrens Trust is seeking a dedicated Speech and Language Therapist to join the School Therapy Team on a 12-month fixed-term basis. You will provide specialist assessment and intervention for children with complex neurodisabilities, including AAC and tracheostomy considerations, with an autonomous caseload across school and residential services.

You will lead the tiered SLT model in the school, work with a multidisciplinary team, visit families at home and school, and contribute to service

Qualifications

• RCSLT-recognised degree or postgraduate diploma in speech and language therapy.
• Dysphagia competency to Level C (RCSLT Competencies).
• Recent relevant AAC training.
• Membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist speech and language assessment and intervention for children with highly complex needs and neurodisabilities
• Work as an autonomous practitioner, managing assessment, treatment and planning for an allocated caseload
• Lead the tiered model of speech and language therapy in the school, with integrated time to classes and houses
• Advise the multidisciplinary team on the impact of tracheostomies on speaking and swallowing, and escalate dysphagia concerns to specialists
• Devise individual therapy plans that fit each child's routine, then teach, monitor and adjust them in the child's environment
• Provide assessment and intervention in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and assistive technology guidance
• Work with the multidisciplinary team, child and family, including home and school visits, clinics and liaison with medical staff
• Carry out off-site referral assessments across the UK and contribute to decisions on new referrals
• Write child-related, annual review and looked-after children reports, and keep accurate intervention records
• Provide clinical cover across the service during staff shortages or periods of heavy workload
• Supervise and support junior staff, technicians, volunteers and students, and lead service development and quality improvement
• Chair multidisciplinary team meetings and represent the Therapy Team, deputising for the Heads of Therapy as required

Skills

Clinical reasoning

Dysphagia

ABI changes

Safeguarding

Communication

Education

RCSLT degree/PGDip

Dysphagia Level C

AAC training

RCST membership

Job description

This 12-month fixed-term post in the School Therapy Team at The Children's Trust supports its school and residential services for children with acquired brain injury. The work is specialist assessment and intervention for children with neurodisabilities, covering communication, eating and drinking and tracheostomy care, plus clinical leadership. The post carries an autonomous caseload and off-site referral assessments across the UK, with early evening and monthly weekend cover. Applicants need HCPC registration, RCSLT membership and dysphagia competency at Level C.

What the job involves

• Provide specialist speech and language assessment and intervention for children with highly complex needs and neurodisabilities
• Work as an autonomous practitioner, managing assessment, treatment and planning for an allocated caseload
• Lead the tiered model of speech and language therapy in the school, with integrated time to classes and houses
• Advise the multidisciplinary team on the impact of tracheostomies on speaking and swallowing, and **escalate dysphagia concerns** to specialists
• Devise individual therapy plans that fit each child's routine, then teach, monitor and adjust them in the child's environment
• Provide assessment and intervention in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and assistive technology guidance
• Work with the multidisciplinary team, child and family, including home and school visits, clinics and liaison with medical staff
• Carry out off-site referral assessments across the UK and contribute to decisions on new referrals
• Write child-related, annual review and looked-after children reports, and keep accurate intervention records
• Provide clinical cover across the service during staff shortages or periods of heavy workload
• Supervise and support junior staff, technicians, volunteers and students, and lead service development and quality improvement
• Chair multidisciplinary team meetings and represent the Therapy Team, deputising for the Heads of Therapy as required

Qualifications

• RCSLT-recognised degree or postgraduate diploma in speech and language therapy
• Dysphagia competency to Level C (RCSLT Competencies)
• Recent relevant AAC training
• Membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Registration & licences

• HCPC registration

Experience

• Minimum of five years clinical experience after the basic qualification
• Minimum of two years working in dysphagia
• Minimum of three years working in paediatrics or neurodisability
• Experience working with children and families within a multidisciplinary team and specialist school setting
• Experience of SEND legislation and SENDist tribunals

Skills & knowledge

• Advanced clinical reasoning in neurodisability management and a wide range of approaches for complex children
• Knowledge of dysphagia assessment and management
• Understanding of physical, communication, behavioural and emotional changes after acquired brain injury
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children with complex disabilities
• Advanced written and verbal communication, including explaining complex or distressing information to parents and carers

Other

• Commitment to The Children's Trust's vision and values, with a flexible approach to competing workload

Nice to have

• Postgraduate diploma or Masters, or currently enrolled on a Masters
• Knowledge of a wide range of AAC relevant to complex communication needs
• Tracheostomy competency trained, or willing to train to RCSLT core and paediatric competencies
• Knowledge of tracheostomy impact on speaking, secretions and swallowing, and of tracheostomy care and weaning
• Minimum of two years working in tracheostomy care
• Experience of leading a team and managing change
• Experience of undertaking a research study or audit

What’s offered

• London weighting
• Adoption pay
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Paid carers leave
• Additional annual leave of 35 to 41 days, depending on length of service
• Staff shuttle service from Epsom and Sutton train stations
• Ability to retain NHS pension, or join an alternative scheme
• Free on-site parking