Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

The Methodist Church in Britain; Coleshill Heath; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Learning and development

Cycle to Work

NHS discounts

Counselling support

Job summary

The Methodist Church in Britain in Solihull is seeking a Band 4 role to support speech and language therapists within the Community Learning Disability Team. You will deliver therapy programmes, adapt activities for individuals and groups, and run sessions in homes, day centres and community settings.

Experience with learning disabilities and a valid UK driving licence are essential; you will maintain clinical records, liaise with clients and carers, and participate in supervision and

Qualifications

• Knowledge of learning disabilities and associated communication difficulties.
• Ability to plan and deliver SLT activities for adults with learning disabilities.
• Skills to generate and organise resources and materials.

Responsibilities

• Deliver SLT programmes devised by an SLT for individuals and groups with learning disabilities, adapting them to meet needs.
• Plan, run and record SLT sessions independently or with others in the MDT.
• Work across homes, day centres, workplaces and leisure facilities, with assessments as needed.
• Devise and prepare communication resources, including books, symbols and training materials.
• Support AAC users alongside speech and language therapists.
• Write individual communication profiles under therapist supervision.
• Maintain up-to-date clinical records and case notes.
• Liaise with clients, SLTs, professionals, parents and carers, passing on information sensitively.
• Attend case conferences, staff and team meetings; participate in supervision and training.
• Support student placements and maintain quality standards per NHS codes.

Skills

Knowledge of learning disabilities

Planning & delivering SLT activities

Resource generation

Computer literacy

Communication with clients and carers

Education

GCSE English (C)

GCSE Mathematics (C)

NVQ Level 3 in relevant subject

Job description

This Band 4 post supports speech and language therapists in the Community Learning Disability Team, which serves adults with learning disabilities in Solihull. The work centres on delivering therapy programmes written by therapists, adapting them for individuals and groups, and running sessions in homes, day centres and other community settings. The role involves some flexible working and needs car driving with own transport. Experience of working with people with learning disabilities is essential.

What the job involves

• Deliver speech and language therapy programmes devised by an SLT for individuals and groups with learning disabilities, adapting them to meet needs
• Plan, run and record SLT sessions alone, with another assistant, or with a therapist or other MDT member
• Work across settings such as homes, day centres, workplaces and leisure facilities, carrying out observational and informal assessments
• Devise and prepare communication resources, including books, symbols and training materials
• Support AAC users alongside speech and language therapists
• Write individual communication profiles under therapist supervision
• Maintain up-to-date clinical records and case notes
• Liaise with clients, SLTs, professionals, parents and carers, passing on factual information sensitively
• Attend case conferences, staff meetings and team meetings
• Take part in clinical supervision and agreed in-service and other training
• Support student placements following discussion with the therapist
• Maintain quality standards in the SLT service for learning disabilities and comply with the NHS Code of Conduct and relevant professional codes

Qualifications

• GCSE English at grade C
• GCSE Mathematics at grade C
• NVQ Level 3 in a relevant subject

Experience

• Experience of working with people with learning disabilities
• Experience of delivering speech and language therapy programmes devised by a speech and language therapist
• Experience of planning and delivering speech and language therapy activities

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of learning disabilities and associated communication difficulties
• Skills in planning and delivering speech and language activities with adults with learning disabilities
• Awareness of assessments and treatment approaches relevant to the client group
• Skills in generating and organising resources
• Computer literacy

Checks & eligibility

• UK driving licence and use of own transport

Nice to have

• Experience or knowledge of speech and language therapy or communication needs

What’s offered

• Generous annual leave entitlement that increases with length of service
• Learning and development, including apprenticeship frameworks, distance learning, internal training, coaching and mentoring
• Salary sacrifice schemes for lease car or vehicle, Cycle to Work, home and electronics, and gym membership
• Discounts with retailers, restaurants and entertainment venues via the Employee Assistance Programme and NHS discount schemes
• Wellbeing support, including an in-house counselling service and external helpline
• Staff networks and support groups
• Training and supervision provided to carry out the role