Speech and Language Therapist Assistant

NHS; Northallerton; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Northallerton is seeking a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant to deliver tailored support for children and young people with communication needs. The role involves working under guidance, managing caseloads, and collaborating with education and health professionals. Ideal candidates will have a strong understanding of Autism and inclusive practices, excellent communication skills, and experience with the 0-25 age range.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Market-leading pension of 18.1%

Generous annual leave entitlement

Qualifications

• Experience working with children with communication needs and/or SEMH.
• Strong knowledge of Autism or SLCN and inclusive educational practices.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Manage a peripatetic caseload and support evidence-based interventions.
• Coach practitioners and model effective strategies in schools.
• Collaborate with health, education, and voluntary sector professionals.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

ICT skills

Time management skills

Assessment skills

Job description

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and young people with communication and interaction needs? Do you have experience working in educational settings and a strong understanding of Autism or Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)? If so, wed love to hear from you!

About the Role

As a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant, you’ll work under the guidance of the Locality SaLT Manager to deliver tailored support and interventions for children and young people aged 0-25. You’ll be part of a dynamic locality hub team, helping to develop the skills of the wider workforce and supporting families and schools across North Yorkshire.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a peripatetic caseload and support the delivery of evidence-based interventions.
• Support children using Alternative and Augmentative Communication systems and contribute to EHCPs.
• Coach practitioners and model effective strategies in schools and homes.
• Collaborate with health, education, and voluntary sector professionals.
• Monitor progress and contribute to service development through data collection.

What Were Looking For

• Experience working with children with communication needs and/or SEMH.
• Strong knowledge of Autism or SLCN and inclusive educational practices.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and ICT skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience with 0-25 age range.
• Familiarity with a range of interventions for Autism/SLCN.
• Knowledge of Early Years initiatives and statutory assessment procedures.

About us

Why Join Us?

At NYC, we value our employees and offer a range of career development opportunities, including professional support, coaching, and work shadowing. You’ll be part of a supportive team committed to inclusive practice and holistic support for children and families.

The service is also currently working closely with local universities with the aim of offering SaLT apprenticeships. These will be offered to SaLT assistants working for NYC.

What We Offer

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (our technology allows for you to work from home)
• A market-leading pension of 18.1% plus additional contributions
• Performance-based pay progression
• Generous annual leave entitlement (up to 34 days)
• Access to modern technologies
• Commitment to professional development and continuous learning
• A vibrant, inclusive, and forward-thinking workplace

Job responsibilities

Job context

The Inclusion Service works in partnership with all schools and settings within North Yorkshire to promote the inclusion, participation and achievement of children and young people with SEND. These services are allocated into SEND hubs, coordinating provision at a locality level across CYPS as a whole, to ensure needs are met holistically. This role involves a specialist level of spoken communication, so a confident use of the English language is required.

Job purpose

To deliver effective support and intervention for children and young people with communication and interaction needs, 0-25, in a variety of contexts, including home and school. Under the guidance of the SLC Specialist, play a role in: a) Planning and delivering effective support for CYP with SLCN needs b) Developing the skills of the workforce in supporting CYP with SLCN needs

Operational Management: To manage a peripatetic caseload as specified by the line manager and in accordance with service policies to provide appropriate, individually tailored support, advice and early intervention for CYP on caseload. This may include: 1) Running EY parents groups alongside portage team 2) Running locality social groups for CYP with communication needs when required 3) Modelling interventions and approaches to schools and settings over longer periods of time 4) Coach other practitioners in effective support, including support within the home 5) Observations of functioning and planning intervention groups 6) Writing EHCP advice (signed off by teacher) 7) Direct intervention using evidence based approaches, for example Early Impact for autism 8) Support for children using Alternative and Augmentative communication systems. To provide data on children and young people’s progress and outcomes to inform LA data collection and analysis, service development and professional performance management; To advise children and young people, parents, and staff on the management and use of specialist equipment as necessary. To contribute to IEPs and specific programmes of work. To contribute to reports, reviews and re-assessments as required, including writing advice for EHCPs with support of specialist teachers. To work as part of a cooperative locality hub team based on a flexible approach to support. To effectively monitor, manage and advise schools on appropriate resources. Work within the boundaries and ethos of school/service policies and procedures. Prioritise and manage own workload within the boundaries of the role, and as advised by professional lead. Ensure that all work is planned for maximum efficiency and minimal travel.

Communications: Develop a range of appropriate information/supporting materials (including web-based) to support schools and families.

Partnership / Corporate Working: To work as part of a cooperative locality hub team based on a flexible approach to support. Develop and sustain integrated working and effective relationships with health, statutory and voluntary agencies, and professionals within the broader range of services for children and families to support children and young people, specifically the SEND locality hub. Share experience and provide professional advice and guidance to other agencies as required, working as closely as possible to ensure holistic support. Consult/liaise with other professionals to ensure effective communication and integrated approach to children; work in partnership with parents/carers, other agencies, independent practitioners and voluntary organisations as appropriate.

Resource management: Recommend resources and equipment which may benefit the service to the Lead.

Systems and information: Provide data on children and young people’s progress and outcomes to inform LA data collection and analysis, service development and professional performance management. Keep appropriate and timely records and case notes.

Strategic Management: Work within the boundaries and ethos of school/service policies and procedures.

Safeguarding: Ensure appropriate confidentiality in all interactions. Be responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people that you are responsible for and come into contact with; involve learners when taking actions that concern them. Communicate, record and report actions and outcomes using the most appropriate format (e.g. ROSI). Use clear, accessible language when communicating. Comply with the Council’s policies and supporting documentation in relation to Data Protection, Information Security and Confidentiality. Ensure that information sharing protocols for children and young people, and their families, as set out in the General Framework for Information Sharing in North Yorkshire (2005) are adhered to.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• N/A

Occupational Skills

• Occupational Skills Excellent verbal and written skills Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Excellent personal and time management skills Skilled in delivering in-service training Excellent ICT skills Ability to work collaboratively with others Excellent recording and report writing skills Excellent assessment skills and target setting Ability to devise appropriate teaching materials to support a given intervention Other Requirements Positive can do attitude, solution focused approach. Able to work alone and as part of a team Able to manage time effectively Excellent, proven organisational skills Able to travel independently to various venues across the county Use flexible working procedures to maximise efficiency in working procedures

Experience

• Essential Knowledge and Experience Up to date knowledge of technology, resources and issues relevant to either Autism or SLCN Knowledge of Early Years / Pre-School initiatives Knowledge of Statutory Assessment procedures/Code of Practice Knowledge of mainstream school curriculum Up to date inclusive practice in the education of children with either Autism or SLCN Can demonstrate experience of working with pupils with communication needs Can demonstrate experience of working with families of children and young people with Autism or SLCN Can demonstrate recent experience as a peripatetic TA or SP Experience of working within educational settings
• Knowledge of a range of interventions and approaches in supporting CYP with Autism/SLCN Experience of working with 0-25 age range.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.