Speech and Language Therapist - Leeds

NHS; Leeds; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job description

ChatterBug Speech and Language Therapy Service

Due to our business growth, we have exciting new opportunities for qualified Speech and Language Therapists to join our passionate and forward-thinking service.

You will work in and around Leeds, in a variety of settings, including schools, clinics, and more. Our service provides a range of services including assessments, therapy, and training both virtually and face-to-face.

Our service has a robust clinical supervision structure and regular in-house CPD. For NQPs, we provide additional support and clinical supervision through our in-house core skills development programme.

Main Duties of the Job

To coordinate the provision of suitable Speech and Language Therapy services in line with the needs of the client base.

To participate in the assessment and diagnosis of children/young people with a range of SLCN.

To provide high-quality support to students, apprentices, and SLTAs/Communication and Language Specialists.

To proactively support the growth and development of ChatterBug by representing the organisation at a local/national level.

About Us

ChatterBug is a social enterprise dedicated to helping children develop their communication skills. We continuously seek ways in which we can make a difference to the lives of those with Speech, Language, and Communication Needs (SLCN).

Communication is central to all that we do, and those who struggle with poor communication skills at a young age are at risk of underachieving and experiencing poor mental health/well-being. Through our dynamic and innovative approach to communication difficulties, we help a range of people, including children, young adults, parents, schools, and adults with SLCN.

We are made up of a passionate team of Speech and Language Therapists and Communication and Language Specialists who specialise in assessing, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of paediatric language and communication difficulties, and it is their flexible and bespoke approach to treatments that achieves real results for our clients.

Find out more about us on our website: www.chatter-bug.com

Job Responsibilities

Clinical

To assess, diagnose, and provide support to children with a range of SLCN including complex needs.

To ensure a client-focused assessment and approach to treatment.

To represent the service at health and education panels where required.

To provide assessment and advice on optimising the client's communicative environment, taking into consideration the communication skills of parents/guardians, carers, and other professionals.

To develop and implement speech and language therapy treatment and programmes and to measure and evaluate outcomes.

To demonstrate clinical effectiveness through the use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures.

Communication

To employ excellent verbal/written communication skills.

Communicate information from assessment and treatment to clients, carers, and other professionals effectively.

To produce detailed reports, reflecting knowledge regarding clients' needs and summarising proposed treatment plans.

To provide verbal and written advice and programmes to parents/guardians, carers, and other professionals regarding the management and care of children; these will be accessible to a range of audiences and easy to understand.

To ensure that clients/parents/teaching staff are involved in the planning and prioritisation of the treatment plans.

To contribute to legal documents such as Education Health and Care Plans, Individual Education Plans, and Annual Reviews as appropriate.

To maintain up-to-date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT professional standards and service policies.

To share information with clients, carers, and other professionals, observing current data protection guidelines.

Clinical Governance Requirements

To gather statistical data punctually.

To participate in service research as required.

To undertake Clinical Governance/audit projects within the local service as required.

To have a working knowledge of relevant procedures including safeguarding children, SEN procedures, and other legal frameworks.

Information Governance

Comply with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR rules. The postholder must not, either during the course of their employment, or following termination of their employment, disclose any information relating to service users or employees, or of the lawful business practices of the organisation.

The postholder will be required, when and where appropriate to the role, to comply with the processing of requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

The postholder must comply with ChatterBug policies that protect the information assets of the organisation from unauthorised disclosure, modification, destruction, inappropriate access, or use, and must pay due regard to the requirements of the Confidentiality policy.

The postholder will be responsible for maintaining the clinical and/or corporate records that fall within the remit of this role to the organisation's standard and data quality processes and standards.

Continuing Professional Development

To identify personal/professional development evidenced by the Personal Development Plan/Professional Portfolio developed within an appraisal framework, including objectives.

To demonstrate a passion and commitment to the profession through self-guided study.

To participate in an individual performance review, ensuring that the objectives set reflect the service and trust plans, including objectives relevant for SLCN.

To demonstrate knowledge of and adhere to RCSLT Professional and Local Clinical Guidelines.

To attend relevant in-service training and meetings.

To demonstrate knowledge of, and adherence to RCSLT Professional and Local Clinical Guidelines and best practice.

To take responsibility for maintaining and continually developing professional skills and knowledge in SLCN.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice independently, with peers and mentors to identify own strengths and development needs.

To demonstrate a well-developed ability to integrate information taking account of all aspects of the client's communication including verbal, non-verbal, and environmental.

To anticipate and take appropriate steps to prevent the breakdown of relationships with parents/guardians and other professionals.

To make appropriate clinical decisions following assessment, seeking support and advice from a specialist as appropriate.

Responsibility for Client Care and Contact with Carers

To demonstrate the well-developed ability to manage people with communication disorders and challenging behaviour.

To work closely with clients, carers, and other professionals to negotiate and agree on client management.

To demonstrate empathy with clients, carers, and colleagues, ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where significant barriers to understanding exist.

To respond sensitively at all times, particularly when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of the clinical difficulties and their implications.

To demonstrate expert skills in motivating clients, carers, and other professionals to engage in the therapeutic process.

To adapt the practice to meet individual clients' circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences.

Physical Skills

To demonstrate highly developed auditory and perceptual skills in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of clients.

To demonstrate knowledge of correct moving/handling clients with disabilities.

To use equipment with due care.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of working within SLT services, supporting clients with a range of SLCN.
• Experience of working with children who have a range of SLCN in a variety of settings.

Qualifications

• Professional Degree or equivalent in Speech & Language Therapy.
• Current Professional Registration with HCPC (or awaiting confirmation for current students/NQPs).
• RCSLT Membership.

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.