Therapy Assistant Practitioner

NHS; King's Lynn; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Join a leading healthcare organization as a Band 4 Therapy Assistant Practitioner. This role involves supporting children with learning disabilities in a multidisciplinary team. You will assist in therapy sessions, work independently, and engage with families, contributing to their understanding and participation in therapy. Flexible working arrangements are available, making this a rewarding opportunity to make a difference in young lives.

Qualifications

• Experience in working with children with learning disabilities.
• Able to communicate effectively in written and verbal English.

Responsibilities

• Assist SLTs/OTs in their work with children.
• Work flexibly as a team member and use initiative.

Skills

Assessment and planning skills

Communication

Knowledge of child development

Time management

Education

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Further qualification/courses linked to job role

Job description

Go back Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust

Therapy Assistant Practitioner

The closing date is 02 June 2025

We are seeking a compassionate, innovative, and enthusiastic Band 4 Therapy Assistant Practitioner to join our'Outstanding'community Children's and Young People's Specialist services. You would be joining a friendly and supportive highly specialist multidisciplinary team and would contribute to the development of Allied Health Professional (AHP) provision within our Learning Disability Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (Starfish).

The post is 18.75 hours per week and will be based at St James, King's Lynn, but working across Norfolk, including Kings Lynn, Great Yarmouth, and Norwich. Flexible working is supported and includes agile/home working where relevant.

The Starfish Team offers assessment and intervention for young people of school age (4-18 years) with a diagnosed learning disability who are experiencing significant behavioural and/or mental health difficulties.

The Starfish team covers a large geographical area, so it is essential that you can drive and have access to a vehicle when pool cars are not available.

Main duties of the job

Assist SLTs/OTs in their work with children, preparation of materials for therapy, programming electronic communication aids

Use a broad range of communication skills (eg. persuasion, motivation) to establish a rapport and engage with children and their families; to develop child's and family's understanding of their needs and encourage effective participation in therapy.

Use acquired skills and knowledge of SLT and OT strategies in treatment sessions under the direction of a registered SLT or OT. Eg. use of signing, visual timetables/resources, Intensive Interaction, sensory strategies, and basic understanding of the Zones of Regulation etc.

Work with children, individually and in groups, without SLT/OT present but following therapy programmes and guidance; monitor child's progress and to alert SLT/OT to the need to change therapy input.

Regularly work with cases, delegated by SLT/OT, in Nurseries, Playgroups, Schools and other locations as agreed. Liaise with teachers, other carers or professionals under guidance from SLT/OT.

Carry out delegated observation and assessments of children as agreed with SLT/OT, which will contribute to Therapist's own assessment and treatment planning.

Assist with induction of new staff, and to provide observation opportunities for prospective SLT/OT career candidates and non-health related individuals as requested by Line Manager.

Please see attached job description and person specification.

About us

Apply now to join an organisation that has been awarded an 'Outstanding' rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the highest possible rating and the first stand-alone NHS community trust in the country to be awarded the title.

Find out more about working for our organisation here:

https://heyzine.com/flip-book/2565ae62eb.html

Job responsibilities

The post holder will work alongside Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) and Occupational Therapists (OTs) supporting their work with children in groups and individual direct treatment sessions

To work on own without direct supervision, carrying out specific tasks with individual children.

The post holder will work flexibly as a team member and use initiative within the boundaries of the role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
• Further qualification/ courses linked to job role (children with learning disabilities, behaviour that challenges etc.)

Experience

• Experience in working with children with learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges
• Experience of working with other professionals/agencies
• Experience of working with families
• Experience of working in community settings

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge

• Able to take a person-centred approach to clients and families
• Assessment and planning skills
• Able to plan and prioritise own workload: good time management
• Personal confidence: able to be assertive when advocating for self and patients
• Self-directed learning skills
• Knowledge of child development
• Knowledge of educational issues and support available to families
• Knowledge of legal requirements which affect working with children
• Writes accurate, clear records & stores them efficiently

Communication

• Able to communicate effectively in written and verbal English Language
• Ability to engage effectively with other agencies and professionals
• Able to convey information clearly to patients, carer and other professionals both in verbal and written form
• Ability to be able to communicate with children in a variety of different ways
• Experience of use of communication methods (such as Signalong, PECS etc.)

Personal Attributes / Behaviours (linked to the Trust's Behaviour Framework)

• Enthusiastic approach to own personal development
• Able to identify with the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
• Caring, understanding approach towards staff, careers and children/young people who use the service
• Flexibility/adaptability to meet the needs of the service
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Able to pass on skills/knowledge to others

Other

• Must hold full and valid UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle
• Able to work within Trust Moving and Handling guidelines e.g. to move patients and equipment

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.

Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust

£26,530 to £29,114 a yearpro rata per annum