Speech & Language Therapy Assistant - Early Years Workforce Pilot

Job description

Job responsibilities

See Job Description attached for further details.

Job Summary

The post holder will be working alongside a Speech and Language Therapist and the Islington Health Visiting service as part of a new workforce pilot and in partnership with Bright Start Islington and the Family Hubs Start for Life offer. Bright Start delivers universal services for children under five and their families, running in childrens centres, nurseries, health centres and community settings across Islington.

The post holder will be involved in strengthening universal support for families through early intervention. This will include working with the Speech and Language Therapist to develop the skill set in the Health Visiting service for the Family Health Advisors (FHAs), with the aim of improving the quality of early identification of need, through enhancing 1- and 2-year reviews. This may include collaborative work with the Family Health Advisors to create pathways that integrate communication into broader health and developmental support, using a screening and intervention programme.

The role will also involve offering education and training for parents /carers to support their childrens speech and language development at home through promotional campaigns, visits to Stay & Play groups and co-facilitating or supporting parent /carer sessions.

The post holder will work with the Speech and Language Therapist to maintain open and regular communication with Health Visiting team around sharing information, progress updates, and offering feedback on childrens development.

The post holder will receive regular supervision from a senior therapist and participate in in-service training and team meetings.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Duties

• To work alongside the Workforce Pilot Speech & Language Therapist to develop the skill set of the Family Health Advisors (FHAs) to enhance the early identification of needs during 1- and 2-year reviews.
• To work closely with FHAs to offer education and training to parents / carers on strategies for supporting their children's speech and language development at home, sharing relevant resources and expertise.
• Co-facilitate parent / carer sessions with FHAs to promote speech, language, and communication development.
• Maintain open and regular communication with Health Visiting teams to exchange information, share progress updates, and offer feedback on child development.
• Form professional relationships with children, families and colleagues and communicate with them in a way that respects their individuality, values, culture and religious diversity.
• Support colleagues in gathering evidence and information (including research database and website searches) and in developing resources within the aims of the workforce pilot.
• To employ excellent communication skills

Administrative Duties

• To keep up to date records on clients following Service Policy.
• To attend relevant staff and service meetings.
• Demonstrate ability to use basic computer systems (email, Word, Excel) and input data.
• To maintain up to date records of annual leave and other absence
• To monitor the equipment and stationery held within the department and submit requests for replacement or new equipment as appropriate.
• To be responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained including equipment loaned to clients.

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

• Maths and English O-level/G.C.S.E.

Desirable

• A-Levels
• NVQ or equivalent in relevant field, eg diagnostics and therapeutics
• Training or short courses relevant to the post, eg Makaton

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Good written communication
• Good verbal communication
• Good problem-solving skills
• Positive interest in working with children with additional needs and disabilities
• Know own limitations and when to ask for help or support
• Able to adapt communication style with different people

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Understanding of the role of a Speech and Language Therapist
• Experience working with young children
• Experience working with other agencies / professionals, such as Health Visitors/ Early Years Practitioners
• Experience of working as part of a team

Desirable

• Knowledge of some common speech, language and communication difficulties, eg Developmental Language Disorder, selective mutism, autism
• Understanding of the cultural & demographic factors in Islington and experience of working with families with English as an additional language

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Flexibility
• Able to reflect on own practice
• Able to take on board feedback

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Whittington Hospital NHS Trust

Address

Northern Health Centre

580 Holloway Road

London

N3 3NJ

Employer's website

https://www.whittington.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)