Children's Speech & Language Therapy Assistant

NHS; Warwick; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job description

Children's Speech & Language Therapy Assistant

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust

We are looking for a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant with enthusiasm for and experience of working with children with Speech, Language, and Communication needs with school age children. This role is to work within the mainstream schools team in Warwickshire.

The post holder will be part of a supportive team including other speech and language therapy assistants and speech and language therapists. The role is to deliver treatment following written plans, clearly share skills and information with parents and other professionals within the schools, and to make and disseminate resources. It is a requirement to be able to travel independently to various schools across the South of Warwickshire.

Main duties of the job

To provide support to Speech and Language Therapist in the delivery of services in a range of settings to children across Warwickshire.

To deliver packages of care to children across the county.

To develop high quality resources for speech and language therapy interventions.

To supervise less experienced staff.

Job responsibilities

Clinical

To independently undertake and timetable therapy programmes designed and directed by therapists with periodic liaison and direction as agreed.

To be responsible for the organisation and maintenance of therapy resources within the department.

To provide practical support with technical equipment for SLTs as required, including for meetings, interviews, etc.

To assist SLTs in the preparation and delivery of training packages to other SLTs, education staff, parents/carers.

To assess children's response to treatment.

To undertake day to day supervision of less experienced staff.

To organise and catalogue resources for the team.

To design and prepare therapy materials as required, using a variety of methods and materials, including computer-based programmes.

To provide demonstration and training to SALTs in the use of audio-visual equipment.

Independently to prioritise and manage own workload in consultation with Team Co-ordinator.

To demonstrate and advise educational settings on the use of communication support systems and strategies.

Manage children's behaviour and motivate them to achieve positive therapy outcomes, including children who are challenging or have severe/complex difficulties.

To maintain detailed written records of their observations of assessments and therapy sessions for feedback to SLTs.

To provide routine advice and support related to the therapy programme for parents as appropriate.

To design and prepare individualised therapy materials (e.g. Books, charts, games), using IT, specific software and other media.

Professional

To maintain clinical and non-clinical standards and work within the policy frameworks laid down (e.g. N.H.S., Trust, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, Health Professionals Council) through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes.

To demonstrate ability to reflect on own practice, identify strengths and development needs and achieve goals set for personal and professional development.

To participate in clinical supervision in line with Department and Trust policy.

To be flexible to the demands of environments including unpredictable work patterns, deadlines and frequent interruptions.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Obtained an educational level of GCSE level A - C English and Maths or equivalent
• Minimum Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care or equivalent such as Higher Apprenticeship or willingness to work towards attaining it
• Care Certificate or willingness to work towards attaining it
• PCIT/ACIT training.
• Basic Makaton.

Experience

• Significant experience of working with children with communication difficulties.
• Significant Knowledge and experience of using IT software to create high quality resources
• Experience of working with Speech & Language Therapists supporting children with a range of communication needs.
• Experience of working with groups of children.
• Experience of supervising other staff in the work place.
• Experience of preparing activities and materials appropriate for children.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of child development
• Demonstrate knowledge of behaviour management techniques
• Experience of training others

Skills

• Demonstrate knowledge of speech and Language therapy procedures.
• Demonstrate well-developed communication skills and an ability to match communication skills and content to the needs of the situation.
• Demonstrate good time management and organisational skills.
• Demonstrate good presentation skills (written, verbal and using IT).

Personal Qualities

• Excellent communication skills: able to adapt language to overcome barriers to understanding with children or families with communication difficulties.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal abilities - observing, listening, diplomacy, sensitivity and empathy
• Demonstrate problem solving and negotiation abilities taking account of others perspectives and expectations.
• Demonstrate an ability to work independently.
• Demonstrate adaptability and ability to work flexibly.

Other

• Car driver and current licence holder
• Police Check
• Pass Occupational Health Check
• Able to carry equipment and adapt to a range of physical environments and demands.
• Frequent need for travel between settings

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.