Job summary
We are seeking a compassionate, innovative, and enthusiastic Band 4 Therapy Assistant Practitioner to join our'Outstanding'community Children's and Young People's Specialist services. You would be joining a friendly and supportive highly specialist multidisciplinary team and would contribute to the development of Allied Health Professional (AHP) provision within our Learning Disability Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (Starfish).
The post is 18.75 hours per week and will be based at St James, King's Lynn, but working across Norfolk, including Kings Lynn, Great Yarmouth, and Norwich. Flexible working is supported and includes agile/home working where relevant.
The Starfish Team offers assessment and intervention for young people of school age (4-18 years) with a diagnosed learning disability who are experiencing significant behavioural and/or mental health difficulties.
The Starfish team covers a large geographical area, so it is essential that you can drive and have access to a vehicle when pool cars are not available.
Main duties of the job
Assist SLTs/OTs in their work with children, preparation of materials for therapy, programming electronic communication aids
Use a broad range of communication skills (eg. persuasion, motivation) to establish a rapport and engage with children and their families; to develop child's and family's understanding of their needs and encourage effective participation in therapy.
Use acquired skills and knowledge of SLT and OT strategies in treatment sessions under the direction of a registered SLT or OT. Eg. use of signing, visual timetables/resources, Intensive Interaction, sensory strategies, and basic understanding of the Zones of Regulation etc.
Work with children, individually and in groups, without SLT/OT present but following therapy programmes and guidance; monitor child's progress and to alert SLT/OT to the need to change therapy input.
Regularly work with cases, delegated by SLT/OT, in Nurseries, Playgroups, Schools and other locations as agreed. Liaise with teachers, other carers or professionals under guidance from SLT/OT.
Carry out delegated observation and assessments of children as agreed with SLT/OT, which will contribute to Therapist's own assessment and treatment planning.
Assist with induction of new staff, and to provide observation opportunities for prospective SLT/OT career candidates and non-health related individuals as requested by Line Manager.
Please see attached job description and person specification.
About us
Apply now to join an organisation that has been awarded an 'Outstanding' rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the highest possible rating and the first stand-alone NHS community trust in the country to be awarded the title.
Find out more about working for our organisation here:
https://heyzine.com/flip-book/2565ae62eb.html
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will work alongside Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) and Occupational Therapists (OTs) supporting their work with children in groups and individual direct treatment sessions
To work on own without direct supervision, carrying out specific tasks with individual children.
The post holder will work flexibly as a team member and use initiative within the boundaries of the role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will work alongside Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) and Occupational Therapists (OTs) supporting their work with children in groups and individual direct treatment sessions
To work on own without direct supervision, carrying out specific tasks with individual children.
The post holder will work flexibly as a team member and use initiative within the boundaries of the role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
Desirable
- Further qualification/ courses linked to job role (children with learning disabilities, behaviour that challenges etc.)
Experience
Essential
- Experience in working with children with learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges
- Experience of working with other professionals/agencies
- Experience of working with families
Desirable
- Experience of working in community settings
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge
Essential
- Able to take a person-centred approach to clients and families
- Assessment and planning skills
- Able to plan and prioritise own workload: good time management
- Personal confidence: able to be assertive when advocating for self and patients
- Self-directed learning skills
- Computer skills
- Knowledge of child development
- Knowledge of educational issues and support available to families
- Knowledge of legal requirements which affect working with children
- Writes accurate, clear records & stores them efficiently
Desirable
- Presentation & training skills
Communication
Essential
- Able to communicate effectively in written and verbal English Language
- Ability to engage effectively with other agencies and professionals
- Able to convey information clearly to patients, carer and other professionals both in verbal and written form
- Ability to be able to communicate with children in a variety of different ways
Desirable
- Experience of use of communication methods (such as Signalong, PECS etc.)
Personal Attributes / Behaviours (linked to the Trust's Behaviour Framework)
Essential
- Enthusiastic approach to own personal development
- Able to identify with the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
- Caring, understanding approach towards staff, careers and children/young people who use the service
- Flexibility/adaptability to meet the needs of the service
- Able to work independently and as part of a team
- Able to pass on skills/knowledge to others
Other
Essential
- Must hold full and valid UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle
- Able to work within Trust Moving and Handling guidelines e.g. to move patients and equipment
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
Desirable
- Further qualification/ courses linked to job role (children with learning disabilities, behaviour that challenges etc.)
Experience
Essential
- Experience in working with children with learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges
- Experience of working with other professionals/agencies
- Experience of working with families
Desirable
- Experience of working in community settings
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge
Essential
- Able to take a person-centred approach to clients and families
- Assessment and planning skills
- Able to plan and prioritise own workload: good time management
- Personal confidence: able to be assertive when advocating for self and patients
- Self-directed learning skills
- Computer skills
- Knowledge of child development
- Knowledge of educational issues and support available to families
- Knowledge of legal requirements which affect working with children
- Writes accurate, clear records & stores them efficiently
Desirable
- Presentation & training skills
Communication
Essential
- Able to communicate effectively in written and verbal English Language
- Ability to engage effectively with other agencies and professionals
- Able to convey information clearly to patients, carer and other professionals both in verbal and written form
- Ability to be able to communicate with children in a variety of different ways
Desirable
- Experience of use of communication methods (such as Signalong, PECS etc.)
Personal Attributes / Behaviours (linked to the Trust's Behaviour Framework)
Essential
- Enthusiastic approach to own personal development
- Able to identify with the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
- Caring, understanding approach towards staff, careers and children/young people who use the service
- Flexibility/adaptability to meet the needs of the service
- Able to work independently and as part of a team
- Able to pass on skills/knowledge to others
Other
Essential
- Must hold full and valid UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle
- Able to work within Trust Moving and Handling guidelines e.g. to move patients and equipment
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).
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).
