Speech and Language Therapist Safeguarding Statement

Orchard Hill College; Sutton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent specialist college in Sutton is seeking a Speech & Language Therapist to provide tailored support to students with learning disabilities. You'll assess their communication needs, work with staff, and promote student independence. The role requires a degree in Speech and Language Therapy, UK HCPC registration, and a passion for working with diverse student populations. Join us to make a meaningful impact in an inclusive environment.

Benefits

Pathways for progression

Pension Scheme

Employee Wellbeing support

Employee Discounts

Flexible working

Qualifications

• UK HCPC Registration is mandatory.
• Experience with young people with learning disabilities is required.
• Experience in an educational setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assess students' communication needs using various assessments.
• Work with external agencies to manage communications.
• Train and support staff to assist students effectively.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Assessment

Independence

Education

Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent

Tools

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Job description

Overview

Students who study with us have a wide range of needs including profound and multiple learning disabilities, communication and behavioural difficulties and specific medical needs. All students are individual, and their learning programme is designed to support and empower them to achieve their aspirations and goals, whilst developing skills to become more independent members of their community. We are looking for a Speech & Language Therapist who loves working with people with Learning Disabilities in creative, functional and person-centred ways. You will deliver a Speech & Language Therapy service at a universal and / or individual level, as clinically required.

Responsibilities

• To assess student's communication, social interaction, eating & drinking, and learning environment needs using a range of formal and informal assessments and observations, and manage clinical caseload independently.
• To work with external agencies (eg. Schools, work placements, social services) to ensure smooth transition of student's communication and eating and drinking information, both into and when leaving the college.
• To enable teaching and support staff to deliver the curriculum at an appropriate language and communication level through contributing to support plans, planning & delivering staff training, coaching and reflecting with staff and class observations.
• To work with the multi-disciplinary team to ensure the college is supported in the delivery of a "Capable environment" in the area of communication through participating in audits, learner walks, training, coaching and feedback to class teams.
• To promote student's choice, self-advocacy and independence, working under the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (2005).
• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent
• UK HCPC Registration
• Eligibility for membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Experience with young people who have moderate/severe/profound and multiple learning disabilities and Autism and ability to work autonomously and competently in the areas of communication, including Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and eating and drinking.
• Experience working within an educational setting with sound competencies in eating and drinking and communication work including AAC.

Requirements

• Orchard Hill College is an Outstanding Specialist College (Ofsted, April 2025) offering life-changing learning opportunities to young people and adults with a range of special education needs and/or disabilities.
• We operate vibrant community-based College Centres across London and Surrey, where committed specialist teams deliver a variety of programmes designed to meet the diverse needs of our students.
• Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
• This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
• Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.

Benefits

• Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme, Home Electronics Scheme, Electric Car Lease Scheme)
• Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme
• Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
• Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)

Our Trust The College is an Academy sponsor and established Orchard Hill College Academy Trust in 2013 which is home to 13 special schools. Together Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust provide for over 1500 pupils and students with SEN across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire. To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit our vacancies page. Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential. As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities. It is an exciting time to be part of OHC and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment. We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners. If you wish to discuss this opportunity before or after submitting an application form, please get in touch with the college directly. Visits to the College in advance of applications are encouraged. Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role.