Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Schools Service | East London NHS Foundation Trust

EAST LONDON NHS FOUNDATION TRUST; Greater London; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A health service provider in London is seeking a Specialist Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist to join their dynamic team. The role involves assessing and providing therapy to children with various communication difficulties, managing a complex caseload, and supporting the development of junior staff. Ideal candidates will have relevant qualifications and experience in a school setting, and there is a strong emphasis on innovation and multi-disciplinary collaboration.

Benefits

1:1 monthly supervision

Team learning programme

Protected service development time

Opportunity for career development

Qualifications

• Relevant experience of working with children with communication difficulties.
• Ability to manage a complex caseload independently.
• Experience in supervising junior staff and students.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist assessment and therapy for children with speech, language, and communication difficulties.
• Co-ordinate therapy planning and delivery with other professionals.
• Supervise staff and support junior colleagues.

Skills

Experience with children and families

Strong communication skills

Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team

Innovation and creativity in therapy

Education

Relevant qualifications in Speech and Language Therapy

Job description

Overview

Band 6 Specialist Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist - Service to Schools. Are you an experienced, innovative and creative Speech and Language Therapist? Would you like to join a supportive, experienced team and bring your skills and ideas to help us deliver change and develop new services? We are looking for therapists to join our dynamic Speech and Language Therapy Service to Schools in Newham, East London. The caseload is varied and includes children with social communication differences, developmental language disorder, SEMH support needs, dysfluency and speech sound disorders. There are opportunities within pre‑school, primary and secondary settings where we work in close partnership with school staff to provide a 3‑tier model of universal, targeted and specialist support for children, young people and their families. Training and coaching for school staff and families is a crucial part of the service we deliver. We are part of a multi‑disciplinary therapies team who work to deliver a high quality service for the children of Newham and their families. Within the Child Development Service, the team works closely with multidisciplinary partners such as Dietitians, Paediatricians, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Specialist Nurses. Within the team, there are specialist and highly specialist therapists who provide support and in‑house training, and multi‑disciplinary working is encouraged. The successful applicant will have relevant experience of working with children and families. Support will be given for applicants transitioning from band 5 to band 6. The post‑holder will manage their own caseload and will have opportunity to support more junior staff and students through supervision and competency development. There will be opportunity for the post‑holder to be involved in service improvement, audit and QI.

Benefits

• An amazing working environment, with a warm, welcoming and supportive team of SLTs and colleagues who bring experiences from all over the world.
• 1:1 monthly supervision, appraisal and CPD
• Team learning programme
• Protected service development time and regular team away days
• Opportunity to supervise and develop junior staff
• Regular team meetings
• On‑going clinical skills development, MDT working
• Opportunity to lead service improvement
• Involvement in audit and quality improvement

Based at the child development centre, in Stratford in the London Borough of Newham, close to the Olympic Park in the heart of London's East End (with excellent transport links with the rest of London and Essex). The children's speech and language therapy service has a strong multi‑agency work ethic with other services both within the trust and with partner agencies, and offers services across a wide range of care groups in the borough. Come and be part of a team that is innovative, responsive and adaptable. We aspire to stand out in the future in the areas of service delivery, improvement and research.

Responsibilities

1. To provide a specialist level of assessment, therapy and recommendations to a range of children and young people with speech, language and communication difficulties within the school setting. This includes planning, implementing and evaluating therapy to early years, primary and secondary school‑aged children, writing EHCP advice and reports for annual review for children with a range of speech/language/communication difficulties.
2. To work jointly with more senior colleagues and other professionals to take account of the specific communication needs of these children and plan therapy accordingly.
3. To independently manage a large and complex caseload of children with diverse communication difficulties in mainstream schools, with a particular emphasis on liaison with staff for information and to train staff in delivering therapy suggestions.
4. To co‑ordinate and take a lead in the joint planning and working including, setting up therapy groups where appropriate and to support more junior colleagues through joint working.
5. To liaise with relevant professional staff in Health, Education and Social Services.
6. To take part in supervising staff and students.