Job summary
CYP Speech and
Language Therapist
Band
5, 37.5 hours (5 days) per week, permanent
The CYP Speech & Language Service has an exciting
opportunity for a full-time, permanent, Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist. You will join our
busy community teams supporting the delivery of speech and language
interventions across the city of Plymouth.
We are looking for Band 5
therapists who will be able to work with a mixed paediatric caseload with
children with speech and language needs in community clinics, early years
settings and mainstream schools.
We provide a service based on
the Care Aims philosophy which means you can deliver direct therapy that is
matched to the childs individual needs. The service is committed to CPD,
research and audit and a mentor system, clinical supervision and annual
appraisal are in place.
The post holder may be required
to work anywhere in the city as directed by the service team leaders, so
flexibility is essential.
The
closing date for applications to be submitted by: 15.06.2025
Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity
All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7-day service
Job Share(s) Considered
Please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route
Main duties of the job
To provide an independently managed
speech and language service to a mixed paediatric caseload with speech language
and communication needs (SLCN) with support from
senior colleagues.
To collect, identify and interpret complex case related
information, undertake a range of formal and informal assessments, propose
differential diagnosis based on evidence and prioritise, decide on appropriate
treatment/management of CYP speech language and communication needs matched to
the client/family need. To provide training and
communication advice in schools, nurseries and other locations for
implementation by teacher assistants and other professionals.
About us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social
enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across
Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of
Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports
centres, and health hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values,kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and
collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while
empowering staff and those we serve.
We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in
shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right
time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead
healthy, independent lives.
We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training
pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care
Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship
programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.
Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all
sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental
health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the
application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
To independently manage personal caseload with
reference to theory, published research and evidence, and agreed best practice with
supervision available from senior colleagues.
To identify, collect, analyse, and interpret
complex case related information and data from clients, carers and other
relevant sources including cross agency working.
To undertake a range of formal and informal
assessments as indicated by the presenting speech, language and communication
difficulties (SLCD) and other factors, including analysis of understanding and
use of voice, grammar, vocabulary, speech sounds, fluency, social use of
language, non-verbal communication, carer-child interaction and play skills and
make judgements from these concerning prioritisation and future management.
To propose differential diagnoses on the basis
of assimilated evidence gathered from a range of assessments - some of which
may be conflicting - and with reference to typical and atypical developmental
norms and research evidence.
To prioritise and decide on appropriate
treatment/management matched to individual client/family need from a range of
options ensuring client/carers are fully involved in the decision making
process.
To provide assessment and communication advice
in schools, nurseries and other locations for implementation by teacher
assistants and other professionals.
To be responsible for the writing and
dissemination of clinical reports based on assessment and treatment findings to
appropriate professionals and relevant others including legal Education Health
and Care Plans and/or documentation for child protection cases.
To be responsible for admission, management and
discharge of clients in relation to personal caseload with appropriate caseload
supervision from senior colleagues.
To explain highly complex and sensitive case
related information to meet a range of levels of understanding of clients and
carers, where anxiety often acts as a barrier and co-operation is not
guaranteed. To recognise that the communication difficulty may be the
first indicator of deeper more complex problems and to counsel parents and
carers accordingly.
To demonstrate empathy and reassurance when
providing clients and carers with information that has long-term implications
for lifestyle and educational and social development e.g. children whose
communication difficulties are not likely to be resolved and which will affect
their ability to learn with lifelong implications.
To monitor, recognise and evaluate subtle
changes in the clients condition and adapt the assessment and treatment
programme accordingly e.g. monitoring changes in sound production, quality and
pitch.
To assess the risk to, and vulnerability of,
patients and families in relation to timing and manner of treatment and amount
of information provided.
To recognise the need for onward referral for
second opinions, more specialist SLT intervention or multidisciplinary advice.
To negotiate with parents/carers and
professionals around individual case diagnosis and management where others have
less specialist knowledge and/or experience in relation to SLCD, and
differences of professional judgement can occur e.g. levels of priority for
treatment and impact of the communication difficulty on accessing the
educational curriculum.
To allocate cases to, monitor and supervise
work of speech and language therapy assistants following completion of NQP
competency framework.
To initiate and/or contribute to multi-agency
case discussions and management in relation to complex cases when the need for
this has been identified through assessment and observation, including child
protection issues, ensuring a well-coordinated care plan and pathway when
professional and ethical opinions may differ.
To be responsible for raising awareness about
speech and language development and disorders in relation to own personal
caseload, and how to manage these in different contexts. This will include: nursery staff, teachers,
teacher assistants and relevant others.
To undertake periodic supervision with more
experienced colleagues and to reflect on practice with peers.
ProfessionalTo
maintain registration with the Health & Care Professions Council and the
Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
To
progress and develop professional and clinical skills across a range of speech,
language and communication difficulties (SLCD) by working with more experienced
staff, undertaking self-directed and more formal CPD activities and maintaining
personal portfolio.
To
recognise own professional and clinical boundaries and competencies and seek
advice, support and training when necessary within an individual performance
review framework.
To
maintain professional and service standards with adherence to local and
national guidelines and clinical governance including confidentiality.
To
record and update personally generated clinical observations, assessment
results, and treatment and advice details in client case notes.
To
participate in the Organisations Annual Appraisal Process.
To
follow and implement local and national policies with elements of independent
professional judgement.
To
contribute to local policy and service development through the clinical
governance process.
To be
responsible for maintaining equipment records and the safe use and security of
clinical equipment. To identify and request therapy equipment to meet caseload
demands (according to service guidelines)
To provide
clinical activity data and routine
recording of CPD, travel, and other related activity, observing data protection
guidelines
To provide
clinical and professional education and assessment of SLT students and other
AHP students as required (first year post qualification) having attended
appropriate training
To take
part in research and clinical audit as directed by senior staff, undertake
action research with personal caseload and contribute to others research by
providing data.
To be
able to recognise breakdown/conflict when it occurs and seek advice and support
from more senior colleagues to resolve.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
To independently manage personal caseload with
reference to theory, published research and evidence, and agreed best practice with
supervision available from senior colleagues.
To identify, collect, analyse, and interpret
complex case related information and data from clients, carers and other
relevant sources including cross agency working.
To undertake a range of formal and informal
assessments as indicated by the presenting speech, language and communication
difficulties (SLCD) and other factors, including analysis of understanding and
use of voice, grammar, vocabulary, speech sounds, fluency, social use of
language, non-verbal communication, carer-child interaction and play skills and
make judgements from these concerning prioritisation and future management.
To propose differential diagnoses on the basis
of assimilated evidence gathered from a range of assessments - some of which
may be conflicting - and with reference to typical and atypical developmental
norms and research evidence.
To prioritise and decide on appropriate
treatment/management matched to individual client/family need from a range of
options ensuring client/carers are fully involved in the decision making
process.
To provide assessment and communication advice
in schools, nurseries and other locations for implementation by teacher
assistants and other professionals.
To be responsible for the writing and
dissemination of clinical reports based on assessment and treatment findings to
appropriate professionals and relevant others including legal Education Health
and Care Plans and/or documentation for child protection cases.
To be responsible for admission, management and
discharge of clients in relation to personal caseload with appropriate caseload
supervision from senior colleagues.
To explain highly complex and sensitive case
related information to meet a range of levels of understanding of clients and
carers, where anxiety often acts as a barrier and co-operation is not
guaranteed. To recognise that the communication difficulty may be the
first indicator of deeper more complex problems and to counsel parents and
carers accordingly.
To demonstrate empathy and reassurance when
providing clients and carers with information that has long-term implications
for lifestyle and educational and social development e.g. children whose
communication difficulties are not likely to be resolved and which will affect
their ability to learn with lifelong implications.
To monitor, recognise and evaluate subtle
changes in the clients condition and adapt the assessment and treatment
programme accordingly e.g. monitoring changes in sound production, quality and
pitch.
To assess the risk to, and vulnerability of,
patients and families in relation to timing and manner of treatment and amount
of information provided.
To recognise the need for onward referral for
second opinions, more specialist SLT intervention or multidisciplinary advice.
To negotiate with parents/carers and
professionals around individual case diagnosis and management where others have
less specialist knowledge and/or experience in relation to SLCD, and
differences of professional judgement can occur e.g. levels of priority for
treatment and impact of the communication difficulty on accessing the
educational curriculum.
To allocate cases to, monitor and supervise
work of speech and language therapy assistants following completion of NQP
competency framework.
To initiate and/or contribute to multi-agency
case discussions and management in relation to complex cases when the need for
this has been identified through assessment and observation, including child
protection issues, ensuring a well-coordinated care plan and pathway when
professional and ethical opinions may differ.
To be responsible for raising awareness about
speech and language development and disorders in relation to own personal
caseload, and how to manage these in different contexts. This will include: nursery staff, teachers,
teacher assistants and relevant others.
To undertake periodic supervision with more
experienced colleagues and to reflect on practice with peers.
ProfessionalTo
maintain registration with the Health & Care Professions Council and the
Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
To
progress and develop professional and clinical skills across a range of speech,
language and communication difficulties (SLCD) by working with more experienced
staff, undertaking self-directed and more formal CPD activities and maintaining
personal portfolio.
To
recognise own professional and clinical boundaries and competencies and seek
advice, support and training when necessary within an individual performance
review framework.
To
maintain professional and service standards with adherence to local and
national guidelines and clinical governance including confidentiality.
To
record and update personally generated clinical observations, assessment
results, and treatment and advice details in client case notes.
To
participate in the Organisations Annual Appraisal Process.
To
follow and implement local and national policies with elements of independent
professional judgement.
To
contribute to local policy and service development through the clinical
governance process.
To be
responsible for maintaining equipment records and the safe use and security of
clinical equipment. To identify and request therapy equipment to meet caseload
demands (according to service guidelines)
To provide
clinical activity data and routine
recording of CPD, travel, and other related activity, observing data protection
guidelines
To provide
clinical and professional education and assessment of SLT students and other
AHP students as required (first year post qualification) having attended
appropriate training
To take
part in research and clinical audit as directed by senior staff, undertake
action research with personal caseload and contribute to others research by
providing data.
To be
able to recognise breakdown/conflict when it occurs and seek advice and support
from more senior colleagues to resolve.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with a paediatric caseload.
Desirable
- Experience of working unsupervised.
- Able to implement and adapt specialised treatment programmes from a range of options based on extended clinical experience.
- Able to undertake and adapt wide range of formal and informal assessments to meet patient need.
- Supervision of SLT assistants.
- Experience of providing placement education for SLT students.
Qualifications
Essential
- Specialist graduate level education in speech and language therapy.
- Membership of RCSLT.
- HCPC registration.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of a range of assessment materials and therapy approaches for children with SLCN.
Desirable
- Evidence of CPD to maintain and develop competencies and knowledge base e.g. working with more specialist staff, Specific Interest Groups (RCSLT registered), Clinical Excellence Network and short specialist courses, self-directed study.
- Knowledge and experience of clinical governance.
Skills
Essential
- Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate highly complex information to meet a range of levels of in understanding of clients and carers.
- Ability to recognise own clinical competencies and the need for onward referral for more specialist advice.
- Ability to reflect on practice to identify own strengths and development needs .
- Ability to demonstrate effective team working.
- Ability to work without direct supervision.
- Ability to travel to locations across Plymouth.
Desirable
- Ability to negotiate and explain complex case related information about speech & language development and disorders to a range of audiences.
- Ability to pass on skills to carers and other professionals to enable them to carry out communication advice for complex communication disorders.
- Ability to identify, collect, analyse, and interpret complex case related information.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with a paediatric caseload.
Desirable
- Experience of working unsupervised.
- Able to implement and adapt specialised treatment programmes from a range of options based on extended clinical experience.
- Able to undertake and adapt wide range of formal and informal assessments to meet patient need.
- Supervision of SLT assistants.
- Experience of providing placement education for SLT students.
Qualifications
Essential
- Specialist graduate level education in speech and language therapy.
- Membership of RCSLT.
- HCPC registration.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of a range of assessment materials and therapy approaches for children with SLCN.
Desirable
- Evidence of CPD to maintain and develop competencies and knowledge base e.g. working with more specialist staff, Specific Interest Groups (RCSLT registered), Clinical Excellence Network and short specialist courses, self-directed study.
- Knowledge and experience of clinical governance.
Skills
Essential
- Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate highly complex information to meet a range of levels of in understanding of clients and carers.
- Ability to recognise own clinical competencies and the need for onward referral for more specialist advice.
- Ability to reflect on practice to identify own strengths and development needs .
- Ability to demonstrate effective team working.
- Ability to work without direct supervision.
- Ability to travel to locations across Plymouth.
Desirable
- Ability to negotiate and explain complex case related information about speech & language development and disorders to a range of audiences.
- Ability to pass on skills to carers and other professionals to enable them to carry out communication advice for complex communication disorders.
- Ability to identify, collect, analyse, and interpret complex case related 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).
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).
