Job summary
We are seeking to recruit an experienced and highly
motivated individual to lead, develop, coordinate and manage our clinical services, contracts, and projects.
The successful applicant will join our Senior Management Team (SMT) and work to ensure the continual
improvement of our portfolio of services that focus on supporting the evolving
needs of people with complex communication difficulties and put the people we
serve at the heart of all decision making.
Ace Centre is a registered charity (No. 1089313) that
specialises in providing Augmentative and
Alternative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology (AT)services and support for people with complex
needs. We offer assessment, training, technical and engineering, research and
innovation, and information services, and we work actively with partners and
stakeholders to advance service delivery and development across the UK.
We are recognised for the quality of our work, and we
deliver services contracted by the NHS in the North West of England and the
Thames Valley and Wessex region. In addition to our NHS work we are active in
building partnerships across the health and education sectors, training,
engineering and technological development, research and innovation, and
emerging fields.
This is an exciting time to join Ace Centre as we look to
meet the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead as we embark on
the next stage of our journey.
Main duties of the job
Predominantly office-based with an average of 3 or more days per
week to be spent in either of these offices: Oldham: Hollinwood Business Centre, Albert
Street, Oldham, OL8 3QL or Abingdon: 5 Hitching Court, Blacklands Way,
Abingdon, Business Park, Oxfordshire, OX14 1RG
The successful applicant will contribute to the strategic planning and development of Ace Centre as a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT).
They will lead, develop, coordinate and manage Ace Centre's clinical services, contracts, and projects, ensuring:
- Work is completed to a high standard and in compliance with key performance indicators.
- Ace Centre has the appropriate staff capacity, skill and competency mix to deliver clinical services, contracts and projects.
- A robust system of continual professional development is in place for staff at every level and that professional registration with the HCPC (or other appropriate professional body) is maintained in accordance with legal and national professional requirements for practice.
About us
We are a registered charity (No. 1089313) providing Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology (AT) services for people with complex needs.
With bases in Oldham and Abingdon, our multi-disciplinary team of specialist teachers, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, technical and administrative staff ensure that we are focused on supporting the evolving needs of people with complex communication difficulties.
We believe everyone should be given the opportunity and the tools they need to fulfil their potential. We lobby for change in statutory policy as well as working directly with people who need our support and we are dedicated to the continual improvement of our portfolio of services that puts the people we serve at the heart of all decision making.
We have a clear business plan to deliver on four key goals:
- Establish and develop AAC/AT expertise to meet the needs of the community
- Become the nationally recognised Centre of Excellence in the provision and delivery of AAC/AT services
- Provide advocacy for all people needing/using AAC/AT
- Become the "go to" place for AAC and AT resources and information
We offer excellent CPD opportunities, a competitive salary, and membership of a generous pension scheme with Greater Manchester Pension Fund.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To contribute to the strategic planning and development of Ace Centre as a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT).
- To work with SMT colleagues to develop and maintain strategic relationships with partners and stakeholders, including commissioners, and identify emerging partnerships to help the charity deliver its vision.
- To successfully lead, develop, coordinate and manage Ace Centre's clinical services, contracts and projects ensuring work is completed to a high standard and in compliance with key performance indicators.
- To ensure all reporting requirements for Ace Centre's clinical services, contracts and projects are met in a comprehensive and timely manner.
- To lead the recruitment and induction of appropriate staff to ensure they are able to deliver Ace Centre's clinical services, contracts, and projects to the appropriate standards of quality and effectiveness.
- To ensure the appropriate staff capacity and skill and competency mix to deliver Ace Centre's clinical services, contracts and projects.
- To ensure a robust system of continual professional development is in place for staff at every level, and to ensure that professional registration with the HCPC (or other appropriate professional body) is maintained in compliance with the legal and national professional requirements for practice.
- To deliver an effective system of annual staff appraisal that appropriately reflects service and organisational priorities at every level.
- To lead the process of investigating any untoward incidents, near misses, complaints,
and malpractice in relation to Ace Centre's clinical services.
-
To lead on ensuring the development of peer support groups and clinical supervision.
To manage Ace Centre's service delivery team ensuring they receive appropriate support and supervision to fulfil the requirements of their role.
To facilitate the professional development of service delivery staff as required.
To act as Mental Capacity Lead and Deprivation of Liberty Lead.
To jointly meet the requirements of the role of Safeguarding Lead in conjunction with the Business Director (South Office)
To work with SMT colleagues to consider and plan for prioritising and balancing NHS and other clinical work with wider Ace Centre Services activities.
Notwithstanding the items specified above, there is an expectation that this role may contribute to other workstreams and/or deputise for SMT colleagues where necessary and appropriate.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To contribute to the strategic planning and development of Ace Centre as a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT).
- To work with SMT colleagues to develop and maintain strategic relationships with partners and stakeholders, including commissioners, and identify emerging partnerships to help the charity deliver its vision.
- To successfully lead, develop, coordinate and manage Ace Centre's clinical services, contracts and projects ensuring work is completed to a high standard and in compliance with key performance indicators.
- To ensure all reporting requirements for Ace Centre's clinical services, contracts and projects are met in a comprehensive and timely manner.
- To lead the recruitment and induction of appropriate staff to ensure they are able to deliver Ace Centre's clinical services, contracts, and projects to the appropriate standards of quality and effectiveness.
- To ensure the appropriate staff capacity and skill and competency mix to deliver Ace Centre's clinical services, contracts and projects.
- To ensure a robust system of continual professional development is in place for staff at every level, and to ensure that professional registration with the HCPC (or other appropriate professional body) is maintained in compliance with the legal and national professional requirements for practice.
- To deliver an effective system of annual staff appraisal that appropriately reflects service and organisational priorities at every level.
- To lead the process of investigating any untoward incidents, near misses, complaints,
and malpractice in relation to Ace Centre's clinical services.
-
To lead on ensuring the development of peer support groups and clinical supervision.
To manage Ace Centre's service delivery team ensuring they receive appropriate support and supervision to fulfil the requirements of their role.
To facilitate the professional development of service delivery staff as required.
To act as Mental Capacity Lead and Deprivation of Liberty Lead.
To jointly meet the requirements of the role of Safeguarding Lead in conjunction with the Business Director (South Office)
To work with SMT colleagues to consider and plan for prioritising and balancing NHS and other clinical work with wider Ace Centre Services activities.
Notwithstanding the items specified above, there is an expectation that this role may contribute to other workstreams and/or deputise for SMT colleagues where necessary and appropriate.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional qualification, degree level or above in Occupational Therapy, or Speech & Language Therapy.
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- In-depth knowledge of the AAC/AT assessment process and ability to contribute to this as part of a team.
- Ability to critically analyse and evaluate services to ensure continuous improvement and identify future opportunities.
- Ability to manage complex and challenging situations.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Competent IT skills.
- Evidence of CPD in field of AAC/AT.
- Ability to work autonomously and as a member of a team.
- Ability to work efficiently and flexibly and to prioritise own workload.
- Ability to maintain accurate records/documentation.
- Car driver with own use of own car and appropriate business insurance.
Personal attributes
Essential
- Aware of, and sensitive to, the needs of individuals with disabilities.
- Committed to maintaining client safety, confidentiality, and privacy.
- Self-motivated.
- Enthusiastic team member.
- Methodical with excellent attention to detail.
- Willing to work flexibly when required, including occasional overnight stays.
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience working within the professional field of Speech and Language Therapy or Occupational Therapy.
- Experience of working with a range of AAC/AT solutions for clients with differing needs.
- Experience of working with external stakeholders including commissioners, and a demonstrable commitment to working with external stakeholders to ensure that co-production is embedded in all service development considerations.
- People management experience, including the mentoring and supervision of staff.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional qualification, degree level or above in Occupational Therapy, or Speech & Language Therapy.
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- In-depth knowledge of the AAC/AT assessment process and ability to contribute to this as part of a team.
- Ability to critically analyse and evaluate services to ensure continuous improvement and identify future opportunities.
- Ability to manage complex and challenging situations.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Competent IT skills.
- Evidence of CPD in field of AAC/AT.
- Ability to work autonomously and as a member of a team.
- Ability to work efficiently and flexibly and to prioritise own workload.
- Ability to maintain accurate records/documentation.
- Car driver with own use of own car and appropriate business insurance.
Personal attributes
Essential
- Aware of, and sensitive to, the needs of individuals with disabilities.
- Committed to maintaining client safety, confidentiality, and privacy.
- Self-motivated.
- Enthusiastic team member.
- Methodical with excellent attention to detail.
- Willing to work flexibly when required, including occasional overnight stays.
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience working within the professional field of Speech and Language Therapy or Occupational Therapy.
- Experience of working with a range of AAC/AT solutions for clients with differing needs.
- Experience of working with external stakeholders including commissioners, and a demonstrable commitment to working with external stakeholders to ensure that co-production is embedded in all service development considerations.
- People management experience, including the mentoring and supervision of staff.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
