Speech and Language Therapist Lead

Caudwell Children; Keele; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A national charity supporting disabled children in Keele is seeking a Lead Speech and Language Therapist. This permanent position involves providing clinical support, mentorship, and development of therapy pathways for children with autism and neurodevelopmental disorders. Ideal candidates should have experience in conducting assessments and working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams. Comprehensive professional development and support is included.

Benefits

On-site free parking

Support with CPD

Regular management supervision

Qualifications

• At least 3 years post-registration experience with a specialist client group.
• Experience of working with children with autism, complex needs, or learning disabilities.
• Ability to undertake specialist assessments of communication.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and mentor less experienced Speech and Language Therapists.
• Communicate assessment results to the multidisciplinary team and families.
• Engage in practice development, evaluation, audit, and research activities.

Skills

Experience in autism and neurodevelopmental disorders

Specialist assessment skills

Excellent communication skills

Leadership skills

Education

Speech and Language Therapy degree

Registered member of Health Professions Council

Postgraduate training in Autism

Job description

Overview

Are you looking for a new opportunity? Do you want to join a dedicated team of professionals who are as passionate about changing the lives of disabled children in the UK? Then Caudwell Children is the place for you.

This is a permanent post supporting specifically the Speech and Language Therapy Team, in the delivery of effective clinical support through assessment, formulation and ongoing support to children and families accessing the service. You must have experience working in the field of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders and have specialist skills relating to these.

Main duties of the job

As an important part of the MDT, you will contribute to specialist autism diagnostic assessments, formulation and recommendations.

Undertake assessments of communication, both informal and formal standardised assessments.

Undertake clinical work with individuals and groups, providing advice, resources, strategies and workshops, as appropriate.

Mentor parents, teaching staff and other carers in skill building communication and the development of nurturing language learning environments for children with speech and language needs.

Communicate results of assessment and make recommendations within the multidisciplinary team and to families.

About us

WORKING FOR YOUR ORGANISATION

Caudwell Children is a Staffordshire based national charity, registered since 2000, providing practical and emotional support to children with a disability and their families. Supporting children aged 0 to 18 years. Some of our services extend to young people transitioning into adulthood to age 25 years. The Caudwell International Children’s Centre is the UKs first independent purpose-built facility dedicated to autism and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Multidisciplinary assessment and intervention.

Practical and emotional support for children with autism and their families.

Active research programme for all work undertaken

We offer:

University campus location

Purpose built neurodiversity friendly building

Support with CPD

Regular 1:1 management supervision

Regular 1:1 clinical supervision

On-site free parking

Job responsibilities

Specialised Speech and Language Therapist Lead

This is a permanent post supporting specifically the Speech and Language Therapy Team, in the delivery of effective clinical support through assessment, formulation and ongoing support to children and families accessing the service. You must have experience working in the field of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders and have specialist skills relating to these.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direction of the Clinical Team Manager:

Supervise less experienced Speech and Language Therapists, offering advice and training where needed

Support the development of the Speech and Language Therapy pathway within the Autism Diagnostic service, and support development of the new Speech and Language Therapy Intervention pathway

Undertake specialist assessments of communication, both informal and formal standardised assessments

Communicate results of assessment and therapeutic findings with the multidisciplinary team

Undertake clinical work with individuals and groups, providing advice, resources, strategies and programmes, as appropriate, using specialist skills and autism specific approaches where required

Support in developing the post-diagnostic communication workshops and recommendations to parents and teachers, ensuring they are up to date with the evidence base

Main Duties:

Support the development of communication training programmes and communicate these to our Communication Trainers for implementation

Direct and supervise less experienced SaLTs, using specialist skills and developing leadership skills

Contribute to the working of the multidisciplinary team and act as a specialist resource for communication issues

As part of the team engage actively in practice development, evaluation, audit and research activities to inform evidence-based practice

Under the direction of the Clinical Team Manager support and manage the SaLTs

Where appropriate share and disseminate research findings with professional colleagues in the interests of practice development

Provide mentorship and clinical supervision for practice education placements for students of Speech and Language Therapy

As part of the SaLTs team, participate in the specialist education and training of professional and clinical colleagues, students, visitors and volunteers.

Ensure compliance and completion of Continuing Professional Development activities

Contribute to supporting other colleagues in their CPD, particularly in relation to communication

Communicate with children and families in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture.

Work collaboratively with all members of the multidisciplinary team and share information with team members in informal and formal situations

Demonstrate a high level of personal communication skills

Represent the profession in team meetings and working groups

Support the SaLT team to positively promote the SaLT role

Share relevant information with SaLT colleagues and other members of the clinical team

Liaise with other departments and services within CICC

General

Under the direction of the Clinical Team Manager

Ensure compliance with professional standards for Speech and Language Therapy practice.

Adhere to HCPC regulations and RCSLT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for Speech and Language Therapists.

Demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional development through participation in internal and external development opportunities identified in supervision and appraisal.

Maintain professional portfolios in line with HCPC and RCSLT requirements.

Apply specialist knowledge and skills in order to demonstrate professional proficiency.

Develop and maintain links with other SaLTs in specialist field of work.

Keep up to date and integrate relevant new initiatives and recommendations from RCSLT and other relevant organisations, ensuring that practice is informed and current, where appropriate.

Ensure that all information and matters of a confidential nature are dealt with in accordance with statutory and organisational policies and procedures and that the staff team adhere to the same.

Take responsibility for continuing personal development in order to enhance knowledge, skills and experience needed for safe and effective practice and the achievement of agreed service outcomes and personal appraisal targets.

Keep comprehensive records of activity in accordance with organisational IT systems and professional standards.

Ensure all record keeping is in line with local, professional, organisational and National guidelines.

Attend training as appropriate to the role applying knowledge gained to the workplace and maintain an up-to-date training profile.

To engage in Support and Supervision sessions to reflect on practice enhancing communication and quality of service.

Towork effectively, co-operatively as a member of a team, maintaining good working relationships with colleagues and professionals from other agencies.

At all times promote and ensure anti-discriminatory practice in all matters of staff management and service delivery in accordance with the organisation equality and diversity approaches and statutory and regulatory guidelines.

Adhere to all Caudwell Children policies and procedures.

When necessary, work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays to ensure the efficient operation of the service.

Person specification

Speech and Language Therapy degree

Registered member of Health Professions Council

Postgraduate training or CPD in the area of Autism

At least 3 years post registration experience, ideally with specialist client group

Experience of working with children with autism and /or complex needs/LD

Experience of Autism specific approaches such as social stories, TEACCH, Attention Autism, Intensive Interaction

Experience of undertaking specialist assessments of communication

Formulation and implementation of appropriate interventions / strategies

Experience of working with children who use AAC

Production of generic and individual communication resources including AAC

Experience of delivering training to a range of audiences

Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team

Experience of working with families

Experience of working with children with sensory differences

Training and experience working with children with challenging behaviours

Experience of working with volunteers

Knowledge

• Knowledge of statutory/mandatory training requirements
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, i.e. Children Act 2004, Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Knowledge of current safeguarding and child protection legislation and practice
• Knowledge of Information Governance Standards
• Knowledge of Health & Safety legislation
• Knowledge of SEND agenda and Education Health Care Plans
• Excellent team-working and communication skills
• Excellent leadership skills
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to work under pressure

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.