South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

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Job summary

We are seeking a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist for our Intensive Support Team. The Team to provide a service to children and young who have severe and persistent speech and/or language disorder including DLD. The service operates from clinics and education settings offering intensive therapy.

Our Childrens Speech and Language Therapy Team covers South Tyneside and Sunderland localities. There are excellent links across the Childrens Therapy staff with joint supervision and sharing practice sessions as we strive to develop services across our area to improve outcomes for children and families. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is supported and encouraged and all staff have access to individual supervision and regular team meetings. This post will mainly cover the Sunderland area and will be based at Sunderland Childrens Centre. Our team has admin and SLT Assistant support.

This post provides a great opportunity for therapists seeking to further develop the service and develop their leadership and management skills; and to be part of a team which aims to provide a high-quality service with improved outcomes for children and young people.

Main duties of the job

In the role you will ensure that children, young people and families receive a service that fulfils their potential, act as a specialist resource and advisor on the support and management of the communication and learning need of children and young people with developmental language disorder/speech sound disorder.

You will provide a highly specialist service of assessment, support and intervention and delivery of programmes of speech and language therapy intervention for children with developmental language disorder/speech sound disorder. You will continuously implement effective approaches to therapy for children with developmental language disorder/speech sound disorder and work with education settings schools to model and deliver programmes of intervention to ensure maximum curricular access and progression for pupils.

You will work proactively to foster partnership working and successful transition between setting, lead on developments for specific projects and areas of work within the work of the team.

You will be committed to team-working, service and staff development and provide support and supervision to other staff and students.

For more details contact: Ruth Rayner Head of Service -0191 5699009,Nicola Johnson, Operational Manager -0191 5699122 or Emma Bowen, Clinical Team Lead -0191 2833284.

About us

Please help us by adding your telephone number to your application form this will allow us to contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for STSFT. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via the Trust's Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,300 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area, in some cases to a population as great as 860,000. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Childcare Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated.

Date posted

18 February 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year Pro-Rata (22.5 hours per week)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

C9155-CSAHP-0225-29

Job locations

Sunderland Children's Centre

Durham Road

Sunderland

Tyne and Wear

SR3 4AG

Job description

Job responsibilities

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

To work autonomously as a highly specialist SLT, providing an effective service in Sunderland for children in a range of settings and environments.

To work as a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist for children seen by Intensive Support who present with severe and persistent speech and/or language disorders.
To provide an advanced standard of assessment, clinical diagnosis, treatment and management of speech, language and communication difficulties in children. To evaluate outcomes of assessments and to provide advice and disseminate information accordingly to parents and other professionals as appropriate.
To provide specialist training for other professionals within the area of communication development and difficulties. To assist in the development of skills relating to this area to colleagues including SLTs, SLTAs, Speech & Language Therapy students, teaching assistants, SENCos and early years staff. To provide supervision, advice and second opinions to more junior colleagues.
To work collaboratively with family/carers and all agencies involved with the childs care, encompassing all public and private sectors to enable the provision of the highest standard of care to maximise the childs level of function in accordance with Trust and Government recommendations.
To provide excellence in clinical care and working to achieve the highest level of patient safety.
To continuously develop the service and constantly strive to improve.
Joint working with Social Care/Education, Health and third sector providers.
To provide appropriate clinical supervision, appraisal, mentorship, induction and in-service training for all SLTs, SLTAs and students.
To contribute towards service evaluation and demonstration of efficacy and efficiency.

Job description

Job responsibilities

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

To work autonomously as a highly specialist SLT, providing an effective service in Sunderland for children in a range of settings and environments.

To work as a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist for children seen by Intensive Support who present with severe and persistent speech and/or language disorders.
To provide an advanced standard of assessment, clinical diagnosis, treatment and management of speech, language and communication difficulties in children. To evaluate outcomes of assessments and to provide advice and disseminate information accordingly to parents and other professionals as appropriate.
To provide specialist training for other professionals within the area of communication development and difficulties. To assist in the development of skills relating to this area to colleagues including SLTs, SLTAs, Speech & Language Therapy students, teaching assistants, SENCos and early years staff. To provide supervision, advice and second opinions to more junior colleagues.
To work collaboratively with family/carers and all agencies involved with the childs care, encompassing all public and private sectors to enable the provision of the highest standard of care to maximise the childs level of function in accordance with Trust and Government recommendations.
To provide excellence in clinical care and working to achieve the highest level of patient safety.
To continuously develop the service and constantly strive to improve.
Joint working with Social Care/Education, Health and third sector providers.
To provide appropriate clinical supervision, appraisal, mentorship, induction and in-service training for all SLTs, SLTAs and students.
To contribute towards service evaluation and demonstration of efficacy and efficiency.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Significant post-graduate training and experience equivalent to Masters Level, working as a qualified SALT with children and young people with a wide range of speech, language and communication disorders and experience in a specialist childrens role.
Experience and highly developed knowledge of a range of highly specialist clinical procedures and therapy techniques.
Extensive experience in different styles of service delivery group therapy, individual therapy and consultancy.
Experience of collaborative working practice with SALT and other professionals.
Experience of working within a variety of settings eg in patient acute, intermediate care, community rehabilitation.
Experience of planning, delivering, and evaluating training within the SALT department, and to other agencies including education, health, patients, carers, social services, private and voluntary sector.
Experience of participation in activities to support the clinical governance agenda e.g. carrying out audit projects.
Experience of working through others to deliver complex care plans in specialist area.
Comprehensive experience of planning, negotiating and setting specialist realistic, timed care plans/programmes, care aims and objectives.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

Highly specialist knowledge of a range of communication disorders in children and appropriate assessment, diagnosis, and intervention techniques with evidence of post-graduate qualification and / or training at an equivalent level.
Highly developed knowledge of current best practice in speech and language therapy provision to children and young people with a range of SLCNs and vulnerabilities.
Knowledge of relevant national policies and procedures relevant to Education, Health and Care planning.
Knowledge of relevant NICE guideline and policies relevant to specialist area.
An in-depth knowledge of the range of health, social service, voluntary and private agencies relevant to specialism.
A working understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession and the associated code of ethics, including a commitment to non-discriminatory practice and compliance with data protection legislation.
Knowledge of child protection and vulnerable adult protection procedures.
Knowledge of different learning styles and training in clinical supervision.
Awareness of bilingual issues in speech and language therapy.
An in-depth working understanding of the structure, policies, priorities, and functioning of the NHS.
Excellent time management, administrative, and organisational skills.
The ability to work autonomously and actively within a team, within codes of practice and professional guidelines.
Highly developed interpersonal skills in order to facilitate professional relationships with clients, carers, members of multi-disciplinary teams, and others.
Highly developed communication skills (oral and written) enabling others to understand complex information and overcome barriers to understanding.
Ability to carry out highly specialised assessment working with other professionals to make a differential diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention plan
16.Well developed teaching, training, and presentation skills, in order to identify training needs, and devise and deliver training and education to other professionals and carers.
Highly tuned observational, investigative, and analytical skills enabling interpretation of verbal and non-verbal messages within the context of the clients overall needs.
Ability to frequently apply sustained and intense concentration when working with clients with severe and complex needs, in order to respond appropriately and record accurately.

Desirable

Knowledge of relevant local and national policies and procedures relevant to Developmental Language Disorder.
Counselling skills, including the ability to empathise, convey complex and sensitive information, and deal with emotional and/or distressing circumstances via recommended training programme plus experience of advanced counselling skills for working with complex cases.

Physical Skills

Essential

Highly developed auditory and visual perceptual skills for assessment of speech, language and communication disorders.
Safe and effective manual handling skills.
Computer skills to maintain information systems, generate reports and produce teaching materials.
Ability to work on multiple demands at one time.
To be able to work with clients in a variety of environments to enable and support communication.
Ability to reflect on auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of client's communication and to identify appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance communicative effectiveness.
Ability to cope with frequent exposure to unpleasant/highly unpleasant working conditions e.g., bodily fluids, challenging behaviour.
Ability to deal with anxious, hostile and distressed clients and families.
Ability to carry out duties as a lone worker.
Ability to meet the travel demands of the post.

Desirable

Car driver/owner or access to mobility support.

Qualifications

Essential

Degree in Speech and Language Pathology / Therapeutics or equivalent.
Registration with the Health Professionals Council (HPC).
Successful completion of a significant number of specialist short courses/self-study/training in the specialist area of work. Evidence of integration of this learning into clinical practice at a highly specialist level.

Desirable

Highly specialist knowledge of a range of communication disorders in children/young people and appropriate assessment, diagnosis, and intervention techniques.
Membership of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Significant post-graduate training and experience equivalent to Masters Level, working as a qualified SALT with children and young people with a wide range of speech, language and communication disorders and experience in a specialist childrens role.
Experience and highly developed knowledge of a range of highly specialist clinical procedures and therapy techniques.
Extensive experience in different styles of service delivery group therapy, individual therapy and consultancy.
Experience of collaborative working practice with SALT and other professionals.
Experience of working within a variety of settings eg in patient acute, intermediate care, community rehabilitation.
Experience of planning, delivering, and evaluating training within the SALT department, and to other agencies including education, health, patients, carers, social services, private and voluntary sector.
Experience of participation in activities to support the clinical governance agenda e.g. carrying out audit projects.
Experience of working through others to deliver complex care plans in specialist area.
Comprehensive experience of planning, negotiating and setting specialist realistic, timed care plans/programmes, care aims and objectives.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

Highly specialist knowledge of a range of communication disorders in children and appropriate assessment, diagnosis, and intervention techniques with evidence of post-graduate qualification and / or training at an equivalent level.
Highly developed knowledge of current best practice in speech and language therapy provision to children and young people with a range of SLCNs and vulnerabilities.
Knowledge of relevant national policies and procedures relevant to Education, Health and Care planning.
Knowledge of relevant NICE guideline and policies relevant to specialist area.
An in-depth knowledge of the range of health, social service, voluntary and private agencies relevant to specialism.
A working understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession and the associated code of ethics, including a commitment to non-discriminatory practice and compliance with data protection legislation.
Knowledge of child protection and vulnerable adult protection procedures.
Knowledge of different learning styles and training in clinical supervision.
Awareness of bilingual issues in speech and language therapy.
An in-depth working understanding of the structure, policies, priorities, and functioning of the NHS.
Excellent time management, administrative, and organisational skills.
The ability to work autonomously and actively within a team, within codes of practice and professional guidelines.
Highly developed interpersonal skills in order to facilitate professional relationships with clients, carers, members of multi-disciplinary teams, and others.
Highly developed communication skills (oral and written) enabling others to understand complex information and overcome barriers to understanding.
Ability to carry out highly specialised assessment working with other professionals to make a differential diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention plan
16.Well developed teaching, training, and presentation skills, in order to identify training needs, and devise and deliver training and education to other professionals and carers.
Highly tuned observational, investigative, and analytical skills enabling interpretation of verbal and non-verbal messages within the context of the clients overall needs.
Ability to frequently apply sustained and intense concentration when working with clients with severe and complex needs, in order to respond appropriately and record accurately.

Desirable

Knowledge of relevant local and national policies and procedures relevant to Developmental Language Disorder.
Counselling skills, including the ability to empathise, convey complex and sensitive information, and deal with emotional and/or distressing circumstances via recommended training programme plus experience of advanced counselling skills for working with complex cases.

Physical Skills

Essential

Highly developed auditory and visual perceptual skills for assessment of speech, language and communication disorders.
Safe and effective manual handling skills.
Computer skills to maintain information systems, generate reports and produce teaching materials.
Ability to work on multiple demands at one time.
To be able to work with clients in a variety of environments to enable and support communication.
Ability to reflect on auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of client's communication and to identify appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance communicative effectiveness.
Ability to cope with frequent exposure to unpleasant/highly unpleasant working conditions e.g., bodily fluids, challenging behaviour.
Ability to deal with anxious, hostile and distressed clients and families.
Ability to carry out duties as a lone worker.
Ability to meet the travel demands of the post.

Desirable

Car driver/owner or access to mobility support.

Qualifications

Essential

Degree in Speech and Language Pathology / Therapeutics or equivalent.
Registration with the Health Professionals Council (HPC).
Successful completion of a significant number of specialist short courses/self-study/training in the specialist area of work. Evidence of integration of this learning into clinical practice at a highly specialist level.

Desirable

Highly specialist knowledge of a range of communication disorders in children/young people and appropriate assessment, diagnosis, and intervention techniques.
Membership of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).