Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a newly or recently qualified Speech and Language Therapist to join our team of special school therapists. This year-round role is based at Riverwalk School for pupils aged 3-19 with complex learning needs, as well as covering a small cohort of children not in school; and providing support during school holidays as appropriate.
We would welcome any applicants at the start of their career or those with applicable experience especially regarding assessment and intervention for children and young people's speech, language and communication needs, experience working with therapy partners and a passion for delivering 1:1 and/or group therapy.
The closing date for this vacancy may change if we receive a strong response. Please ensure that you apply for any post you are interested in as soon as possible.
Main duties of the job
- Work with students with complex needs with arange of speech, language and communication needs including supporting use of AAC in classroom settings
- Carry out assessments appropriate to a complex paediatric client group
- Plan & deliver therapy interventions based on assessment findings and communication needs
- Evaluate student progress to update EHCP targets and write Annual Review reports seeking support from senior colleagues as required.
- Liaise with health professionals / school staff regarding communication targets to ensure a holistic approach
- Liaise with families & carers to keep them updated and offer advice / support for communication skills and to ensure they are upskilled as therapy partners
- Understand your role in terms of Safeguarding children and young people
- Keep daily, accurate records of sessions undertaken using SystmOne as per professional and service standards.
- Have strong emerging or established organisational skills to be able to plan sessions, re-organise where necessary and manage time effectively
- Work closely in partnership with families, educational staff and the wider professional team to support effective outcomes for children and young people
- Participate in your own development through supervision, self-reflection and IPR (appraisal) process
- Contribute to wider service development projects
- Be able to travel to other venues to access team meetings and training opportunities
About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see job description for further details.
Core duties
- To work independently without direct supervision and manage own caseload.
- To be responsible for own administrative work including timetabling, report writing, keeping detailed notes and adhering to Data Protection and Confidentiality Policies.
- To practice good time management skills to maintain a balance between clinical and non-clinical duties as per departmental guidance.
- To attend departmental meetings and other meetings as appropriate.
- To be involved in departmental projects e.g. clinical audit, clinical governance, as requested.
- To keep viable statistics as required by West Suffolk Foundation Trust (WSFT).
- To be knowledgeable and adhere to relevant policies and procedures of WSFT.
- To participate in staff appraisal system, identifying development needs and drawing up Personal Development Plan with the relevant appraiser.
- To be responsible for the carriage, care, maintenance and security of equipment being used and informing the relevant Manager of any requirement for repair or replacement and any additional items required.
- To make suggestions about improvements or changes to the service to benefit clients, carers, colleagues or the organisation.
- To be able to travel to various locations to carry out role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see job description for further details.
Core duties
- To work independently without direct supervision and manage own caseload.
- To be responsible for own administrative work including timetabling, report writing, keeping detailed notes and adhering to Data Protection and Confidentiality Policies.
- To practice good time management skills to maintain a balance between clinical and non-clinical duties as per departmental guidance.
- To attend departmental meetings and other meetings as appropriate.
- To be involved in departmental projects e.g. clinical audit, clinical governance, as requested.
- To keep viable statistics as required by West Suffolk Foundation Trust (WSFT).
- To be knowledgeable and adhere to relevant policies and procedures of WSFT.
- To participate in staff appraisal system, identifying development needs and drawing up Personal Development Plan with the relevant appraiser.
- To be responsible for the carriage, care, maintenance and security of equipment being used and informing the relevant Manager of any requirement for repair or replacement and any additional items required.
- To make suggestions about improvements or changes to the service to benefit clients, carers, colleagues or the organisation.
- To be able to travel to various locations to carry out role.
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
- Recognised Speech & Language therapy degree qualification
- Registered with the Health & Care Professions Council
- Eligible for registered membership of Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
Desirable
- Evidence of applicable short courses or training relevant to clinical caseload: Makaton, PECS, SCERTS, stammering approaches, Nuffield, Intensive Interaction, Attention Autism, Eating/Drinking etc
Experience
Essential
- Experience and working knowledge of Paediatrics
- Knowledge and experience of a range of paediatric SLC assessment methods
- Knowledge and experience of using a range of paediatric therapy techniques and approaches
- Experience of working with other professionals including parents, education staff and health professionals
- Knowledge and experience of the impact of a SLCN difficulty for the child or young person and their family / carers
Desirable
- Experience of working in community paediatric settings
- Experience of MDT working
- Experience of working in teams or groups
- Experience of working with children/young people with complex presentations
- Use of digital methods for therapy
- Use of outcome measures
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of child development ages and stages and application to speech language and communication diagnosis and treatment
- Knowledge of the National Curriculum & Statutory Assessment Procedure and experience of writing Statutory Assessment and Annual review reports
- Knowledge of Safeguarding
- Good presentation skills, written and verbal
- Digitally literate: able to use digital methods for record keeping and communicating
- Good organisational skills including ability to prioritise work and caseload
- Ability to demonstrate good analytical and reflection skills
- Ability to work under pressure
- Well developed concentration skills
- Aware of relevant policies & procedures pertaining to working in a health care environment e.g health & safety legislation, clinical governance, equality & diversity
Desirable
- Experience of record keeping via SystmOne
- Developing critical appraisal skills with insight into own strengths and weaknesses
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills: including observation, active listening and empathy skills
- Developing negotiation and problem solving skills
- Flexible approach to working, being able to manage changing circumstances
- Motivation and drive
- Ability to work in a team
- Able to travel across the Trust
Desirable
- Able to cope with exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances
- Able to pass knowledge and skills onto others
- Able to maintain judgement under pressure
- Pragmatic
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
- Recognised Speech & Language therapy degree qualification
- Registered with the Health & Care Professions Council
- Eligible for registered membership of Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
Desirable
- Evidence of applicable short courses or training relevant to clinical caseload: Makaton, PECS, SCERTS, stammering approaches, Nuffield, Intensive Interaction, Attention Autism, Eating/Drinking etc
Experience
Essential
- Experience and working knowledge of Paediatrics
- Knowledge and experience of a range of paediatric SLC assessment methods
- Knowledge and experience of using a range of paediatric therapy techniques and approaches
- Experience of working with other professionals including parents, education staff and health professionals
- Knowledge and experience of the impact of a SLCN difficulty for the child or young person and their family / carers
Desirable
- Experience of working in community paediatric settings
- Experience of MDT working
- Experience of working in teams or groups
- Experience of working with children/young people with complex presentations
- Use of digital methods for therapy
- Use of outcome measures
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of child development ages and stages and application to speech language and communication diagnosis and treatment
- Knowledge of the National Curriculum & Statutory Assessment Procedure and experience of writing Statutory Assessment and Annual review reports
- Knowledge of Safeguarding
- Good presentation skills, written and verbal
- Digitally literate: able to use digital methods for record keeping and communicating
- Good organisational skills including ability to prioritise work and caseload
- Ability to demonstrate good analytical and reflection skills
- Ability to work under pressure
- Well developed concentration skills
- Aware of relevant policies & procedures pertaining to working in a health care environment e.g health & safety legislation, clinical governance, equality & diversity
Desirable
- Experience of record keeping via SystmOne
- Developing critical appraisal skills with insight into own strengths and weaknesses
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills: including observation, active listening and empathy skills
- Developing negotiation and problem solving skills
- Flexible approach to working, being able to manage changing circumstances
- Motivation and drive
- Ability to work in a team
- Able to travel across the Trust
Desirable
- Able to cope with exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances
- Able to pass knowledge and skills onto others
- Able to maintain judgement under pressure
- Pragmatic
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
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).
