Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to work with adults with learning disabilities in the Cambridgeshire Learning Disability Partnership (LDP).
The LDP comprises five locality-based integrated community specialist health and care management teams (social workers, care co-ordinators, psychiatrists and occupational, arts, and speech & language therapists) and day and accommodation services organised by the Local Authority for adults with a learning disability.
Healthcare practitioners are employed by Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust but work within the LDP. The SLT service comprises a Lead Speech and Language Therapist, two Advanced SLTs, two Specialist SLTs plus an Assistant SLT, all employed by CPFT. We have close links with colleagues working with people with learning disabilities elsewhere in CPFT and with clinicians and/or researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge.
The teams aim to provide person-centred healthcare that promote an individual's right to choice, independence, health and wellbeing to promote reaching their full potential
Main duties of the job
Please note for this role you will be required to travel independently around the county meeting strict time deadlines. You will need to hold a full UK driving licence* and have use of a vehicle. You cannot use public transport for this role as this is not a reliable form of transport and will not allow you to meet service needs. Please confirm in your application that you meet the specified criteria.
- To participate in the delivery of countywide specialist LD Speech and Language Therapy by managing a team caseload of clients with complex learning disabilities.
- To provide professional supervision to other staff /students as appropriate including appraisal and professional development, particularly mandatory training.
- To contribute to the planning, development, and evaluation of learning disability services, including contributing to defined projects as delegated by the LDP management team.
- As an autonomous practitioner, to manage a specialist case load providing assessment, identification and treatment of communication and swallowing needs of adults with a learning disability.
- To participate in multi-disciplinary/ multi agency working within the LDP and with Key partners.
*DVLA have a number ofreciprocalarrangements with overseas countries, for further information please visit the DVLA website
About us
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health & social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health & wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting & empowering them to lead a fulfilling life.
Our clinical teams deliver many NHS services not only via inpatient and primary care setting but also with the community. These services include Children, Adult & Older Peoples mental & physical health, Forensic & Specialist mental health, Learning Disabilities, Primary Care & Liaison psychiatry, Substance misuse, Social care, Research & Development.
To achieve our goal, we look to recruit high caliber candidates who share our vision & values. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including disabled people & members of our ethnic minorities & LGBTQ+ communities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
- The post holder will demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills and have undertaken appropriate post registration training
- To be proficient in the assessment, identification, treatment and management of the communication and swallowing needs of the learning disability population including risk assessment
- To be proficient in Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) including manual signing and symbol use across a variety of communication environments
- To have knowledge of and skills in sensory impairment as related to Adults with Learning Disability
- To facilitate clients to access generic services as appropriate (reasonable adjustment)
- To facilitate and guide others in the development of information that is accessible to service users, staff, and carers
- To provide Dysphagia assessment where there may be risk of contact with substances such as body fluids (saliva etc) and infection guidelines must be followed
- To independently prioritise, maintain and manage a complex specialist Team SLT caseload within the context of the LDP
- To be proficient in the assessment, identification and treatment/intervention of the health needs of the learning-disabled population, including risk assessment and assessment of complex conditions e.g. mental health, epilepsy, distress behaviour including forensic issues, palliative care etc
- To take a lead in the coordination of complex case work as a case manager for individuals
- To have a good understanding of the specific needs of the service user group including at times of crisis. e.g. during placement breakdowns, mental health and physical health relapses and periods of distress behaviour
- To recognise the impact of a persons communication needs and tailor interaction to meet this need
- To plan, implement and regularly review integrated individual support plans for each client in conjunction with team members as appropriate
- To develop knowledge and experience in multidisciplinary working with parents with learning disability
- To provide specialist clinical advice in relation to individual case work to professionals within the LDP
- To work to reduce health inequalities for people with a Learning Disability by working with partners in primary and secondary car
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
- The post holder will demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills and have undertaken appropriate post registration training
- To be proficient in the assessment, identification, treatment and management of the communication and swallowing needs of the learning disability population including risk assessment
- To be proficient in Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) including manual signing and symbol use across a variety of communication environments
- To have knowledge of and skills in sensory impairment as related to Adults with Learning Disability
- To facilitate clients to access generic services as appropriate (reasonable adjustment)
- To facilitate and guide others in the development of information that is accessible to service users, staff, and carers
- To provide Dysphagia assessment where there may be risk of contact with substances such as body fluids (saliva etc) and infection guidelines must be followed
- To independently prioritise, maintain and manage a complex specialist Team SLT caseload within the context of the LDP
- To be proficient in the assessment, identification and treatment/intervention of the health needs of the learning-disabled population, including risk assessment and assessment of complex conditions e.g. mental health, epilepsy, distress behaviour including forensic issues, palliative care etc
- To take a lead in the coordination of complex case work as a case manager for individuals
- To have a good understanding of the specific needs of the service user group including at times of crisis. e.g. during placement breakdowns, mental health and physical health relapses and periods of distress behaviour
- To recognise the impact of a persons communication needs and tailor interaction to meet this need
- To plan, implement and regularly review integrated individual support plans for each client in conjunction with team members as appropriate
- To develop knowledge and experience in multidisciplinary working with parents with learning disability
- To provide specialist clinical advice in relation to individual case work to professionals within the LDP
- To work to reduce health inequalities for people with a Learning Disability by working with partners in primary and secondary car
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy
- Registered member of RCSLT
- Registration with HCPC
- Post Basic Dysphagia Qualification
Desirable
- Experience of supervising staff
- Qualified Practice Placement Educator
- Additional clinical training relevant to specialism
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with adults with a learning disability
- Experience of managing a caseload
- Experience of speech and language therapy assessment and intervention relevant to adults with an LD
- Experience of managing Dysphagia in LD population
Desirable
- Post qualifying experience within a Community MDT
- Care Co-ordination in CPA/Case Management
- Experience in providing clinical supervision
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Good knowledge of alternative and augmentative communication as applicable to adults with Learning Disabilities
- In depth knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions (relevant to adults with learning disability) and an ability to compare and contrast relative benefits
- MHA and MCA knowledge
- IT skills
- Understanding of research and audit processes
- Understanding of clinical governance
- Awareness of current trends legislation and guidance in support for people with learning disabilities and their carers
- Knowledge of treatment strategies
- Knowledge of the Enabling approach to support people to meet their full potential
- Evidence of continuous professional development
Desirable
- Counselling skills
- Ability to deliver health education training
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Good auditory discrimination skills and ability to transcribe speech phonetically
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills
- Effective organisation and time management skills
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance and those you supervise
- Ability to prioritise your own work and the work of those you supervise
- Ability to use own initiative
- Ability to work as part of the MDT
- Ability to work under pressure and cope with stress
- Ability to manage conflict
- Ability to motivate others
- Positive attitude
- Willingness to learn
- Demonstrable knowledge and practice of good customer care skills
- Emotional resilience
Desirable
- Ability to participate in research and audit
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel within a rural location
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy
- Registered member of RCSLT
- Registration with HCPC
- Post Basic Dysphagia Qualification
Desirable
- Experience of supervising staff
- Qualified Practice Placement Educator
- Additional clinical training relevant to specialism
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with adults with a learning disability
- Experience of managing a caseload
- Experience of speech and language therapy assessment and intervention relevant to adults with an LD
- Experience of managing Dysphagia in LD population
Desirable
- Post qualifying experience within a Community MDT
- Care Co-ordination in CPA/Case Management
- Experience in providing clinical supervision
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Good knowledge of alternative and augmentative communication as applicable to adults with Learning Disabilities
- In depth knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions (relevant to adults with learning disability) and an ability to compare and contrast relative benefits
- MHA and MCA knowledge
- IT skills
- Understanding of research and audit processes
- Understanding of clinical governance
- Awareness of current trends legislation and guidance in support for people with learning disabilities and their carers
- Knowledge of treatment strategies
- Knowledge of the Enabling approach to support people to meet their full potential
- Evidence of continuous professional development
Desirable
- Counselling skills
- Ability to deliver health education training
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Good auditory discrimination skills and ability to transcribe speech phonetically
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills
- Effective organisation and time management skills
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance and those you supervise
- Ability to prioritise your own work and the work of those you supervise
- Ability to use own initiative
- Ability to work as part of the MDT
- Ability to work under pressure and cope with stress
- Ability to manage conflict
- Ability to motivate others
- Positive attitude
- Willingness to learn
- Demonstrable knowledge and practice of good customer care skills
- Emotional resilience
Desirable
- Ability to participate in research and audit
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel within a rural location
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).
