Job summary
Are you a motivated team player who is passionate about working with young people with a Learning Disability? Are you innovative, creative and committed to improving services? Do you want a job that will make a difference? If this sounds like you, Hampshire CAMHS Learning Disability/Autism Team are seeking a Therapy Assistant to join our growing Multi-Disciplinary Team.
You will be joining a friendly, supportive, and creative multi-disciplinary team which currently include Nurses, occupational therapist, speech and language therapist and admin. The team provides assessment and intervention for young people who have a learning disability, who also experience mental health difficulties, emotional distress / dysregulation, and / or people who present with challenging behaviour. The LD/A team uses the model of Positive Behaviour Support.
This post will work across Hampshire under our experience therapist.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a Therapy Assistant to support the Speech and Language Therapist and Occupational Therapsit. The successful candidate will be proficient and knowledgeable in carruing out duties delegated to them by the registered professionals to include undertaking assessment, implementing, and evaluating individial care plans, and creating accessible resources. The Therapy Assistant will be expected to utilise practical and theoretical knowledge, maintain excellent therapeutic/professional relationships regarding all aspects of care, demonstrate a variety of communication skills in accordance with service user's needs.
The post holder will receive both clinical and managerial supervision, and training as required to meet the needs of the role.
About us
Southern Health is one of the largest NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK, specialising in mental health and learning disabilities, as well as offering physical health community-based services.
With a workforce of more than 7000 and a footprint that spans more than 200 sites across Hampshire, we're committed to providing the best possible healthcare, reaching a range of diverse communities, whilst placing patients and staff at the forefront of all our endeavours.
We are currently working closely with other NHS Trusts to combine all our collective community, mental health, and learning disability services, with the plan to create a new larger, more integrated and accessible organisation.
The transformation will happen in stages; Hampshire CAMHS, part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust joined Southern Health in February 2024, with Isle of Wight NHS Trust mental health and community services transitioning across in May 2024. The final combination of Southern Health and Solent NHS Trust services is expected in late 2024, when our new organisation, to be known as Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, will be formed.
Our new Trust will continue to cater to the unique needs of different communities, making healthcare across the county more accessible, as well as offering staff more opportunities for career development, training and partnership working.
Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to shape the future of healthcare in Hampshire.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached.
We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached.
We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Full Driving licence.Education to a sufficient level to give evidence of ability to absorb and interpret complex information e.g. ( GCSE / A levels) NVQ level 3 in a relevant subject or equivalentAble to attend further training and education in line with Trust Policy and Staff Competency Framework.
Desirable
- Degree level education in related field or equivalent clinical experienceRelevant educational achievement/CPD courses that have attended.Willingness to carry out further study, training and development in line with the needs of this post.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with people who have additional learning needs and/or neurodiversity, and who exhibit behaviour which challenges.To have an awareness of and interest in the roles of SLT and OT.Experience of working without direct supervision.Practical experience in any other health, educational or social care setting.Experience of planning and managing own workload and prioritising competing demands, requiring effective time management. Knowledge of the impact of disability on health. Understanding of person-centred practice and the importance of therapeutic relationships with service users, carers and families. Understanding of personal safety and risk management, and the importance of safeguarding.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a busy team.Experience of working flexibly to meet service users needs.Experience of working with young people who have a moderate to severe learning disability.Experience of working directly with OTs and SLTs. Knowledge of National Guidance and Legislation for people with learning disability. Knowledge of the principles of Positive Behaviour Support Knowledge of safe practices in healthcare settings.Knowledge of multi-agency health and social care services available for people who have learning disability.Knowledge of safeguarding processes / procedures.Lived experience of someone with a Learning Disability
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Being competent on computer and able to use Microsoft Office to an appropriate standard.Be passionate about and committed to promoting the rights and well-being of people who have a learning disability.Believe in and uphold values of the team:Be empathetic, caring and person centred. Non-judgmental and respectful to others.Able to work in situations which can be emotionally upsetting or stressful, and to recognise the importance of and need debrief / reflection. Honest and reliableDemonstrate skills regarding working with people who have learning needs and/or neurodiversity, and who display behaviour which challenges.Demonstrate effective interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.Ability to plan, initiate and organise tasks, working autonomously (under guidance from registered professional as needed). To be aware of own limitations, being able to request support when required.Ability to work as an effective member of the team and contribute to ethos of continuous improvement.Organisational skills: ability to travel across Hampshire to meet work and training requirements.Ability to work under pressure, prioritise effectively and manage competing demands.Ability to comply with Trust policies and guidance.Ability to reflect on own performance, training needs and development.Flexible and adaptive
Desirable
- Able to listen to the views of others and contribute own views in a positive way.Able to give and receive constructive feedback.Confident, self aware, imaginative and enthusiastic.Demonstrate a range of technical and clinical skills and competencies appropriate to job description.Have awareness of the 5 good communication standards.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Full Driving licence.Education to a sufficient level to give evidence of ability to absorb and interpret complex information e.g. ( GCSE / A levels) NVQ level 3 in a relevant subject or equivalentAble to attend further training and education in line with Trust Policy and Staff Competency Framework.
Desirable
- Degree level education in related field or equivalent clinical experienceRelevant educational achievement/CPD courses that have attended.Willingness to carry out further study, training and development in line with the needs of this post.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with people who have additional learning needs and/or neurodiversity, and who exhibit behaviour which challenges.To have an awareness of and interest in the roles of SLT and OT.Experience of working without direct supervision.Practical experience in any other health, educational or social care setting.Experience of planning and managing own workload and prioritising competing demands, requiring effective time management. Knowledge of the impact of disability on health. Understanding of person-centred practice and the importance of therapeutic relationships with service users, carers and families. Understanding of personal safety and risk management, and the importance of safeguarding.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a busy team.Experience of working flexibly to meet service users needs.Experience of working with young people who have a moderate to severe learning disability.Experience of working directly with OTs and SLTs. Knowledge of National Guidance and Legislation for people with learning disability. Knowledge of the principles of Positive Behaviour Support Knowledge of safe practices in healthcare settings.Knowledge of multi-agency health and social care services available for people who have learning disability.Knowledge of safeguarding processes / procedures.Lived experience of someone with a Learning Disability
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Being competent on computer and able to use Microsoft Office to an appropriate standard.Be passionate about and committed to promoting the rights and well-being of people who have a learning disability.Believe in and uphold values of the team:Be empathetic, caring and person centred. Non-judgmental and respectful to others.Able to work in situations which can be emotionally upsetting or stressful, and to recognise the importance of and need debrief / reflection. Honest and reliableDemonstrate skills regarding working with people who have learning needs and/or neurodiversity, and who display behaviour which challenges.Demonstrate effective interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.Ability to plan, initiate and organise tasks, working autonomously (under guidance from registered professional as needed). To be aware of own limitations, being able to request support when required.Ability to work as an effective member of the team and contribute to ethos of continuous improvement.Organisational skills: ability to travel across Hampshire to meet work and training requirements.Ability to work under pressure, prioritise effectively and manage competing demands.Ability to comply with Trust policies and guidance.Ability to reflect on own performance, training needs and development.Flexible and adaptive
Desirable
- Able to listen to the views of others and contribute own views in a positive way.Able to give and receive constructive feedback.Confident, self aware, imaginative and enthusiastic.Demonstrate a range of technical and clinical skills and competencies appropriate to job description.Have awareness of the 5 good communication standards.
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.
