Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

Meldreth Manor School is an independent Special day school which provides a highly specialist learning environment for students aged 6 to 19 who have a range of MLD and SLD needs including autism spectrum disorders, ADHD and associated difficulties, who require an individualised, specialist approach. Our students are supported to manage sensory overload, anxiety, low self-esteem, low confidence, and difficulty with transitions which is often demonstrative through their behaviours.

Meldreth Manor Childrens Home offers up to 52 week placements for children, all of whom currently attend our on site school.

Orchard Manor is a residential transition service for 18-30 yr olds with a range of MLD PMLD needs.

The main purpose of the role:

The role is a challenging, but exciting one. It will require you to be versatile in your approach to providing individualised communication and dysphagia support to our specialist population. The post will combine clinical, administrative and supervisory duties. You will work as part of an interdisciplinary team under the supervision of senior leadership but will be expected to autonomously manage your caseload including assessment, direct and indirect therapy programmes and line managing a speech and language therapy assistant.

The post holder will provide speech and language therapy services prioritising needs identified by the assessment process as stated in the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or via our MDT assessments of need.

Main duties of the job

• Manage and prioritise a caseload including communication and dysphagia needs
• Carry out comprehensive communication, swallowing, eating and drinking assessments
• Provide advice on suitability and therapy needs of prospective students
• Provide individual aims for communication and eating and drinking as part of the MDT for Individual Education Plans
• Provide individual programmes for communication, assistive technology, swallowing and feeding
• Deliver speech and language interventions to individuals, small groups or within the classroom as required
• Maintain concise clinical recording in accordance with professional guidelines
• Monitor eating and drinking support practice and provide training as required
• Promote Total Communication practice across the service
• Work with staff and family members to ensure consistent, joined up communication support
• Attend and contribute to reviews, providing written reports where required
• Make onward referrals for specialist assessment or advice in respect of AAC or dysphagia
• Provide induction and individualised training as required
• Supervise and line manage speech and language therapy assistant(s)
• Work within professional boundaries and seek guidance where required

About us

Skills and Qualifications:

• Speech and Language Therapy degree at graduate or masters level
• Certificate to practise Speech and Language Therapy
• Registered member of RCSLT and HCPC
• Competencies at Level C of RCSLT Eating, Drinking and Swallowing Competency Framework (EDSCF)
• Requirement to undertake relevant learning, continued professional development and clinical supervision as required by RCSLT and HCPC
• Willingness to maintain clinical links with relevant clinical groups to develop specialist expertise and knowledge relating to the role (such as dysphagia and AAC groups)

Knowledge:

• Person-centred approaches to support
• Legislation relating to consent and restrictive practice within the Mental Capacity Act
• Positive behaviour support planning and interventions
• AAC systems and approaches
• IDDSI, dysphagia interventions and feeding issues relating to this caseload

Experience:

• Working with children and young people with SEND, PMLD and ASD
• Working with children and young people with complex communication, swallowing and feeding needs
• Working with hi and lo-tech AAC systems
• Delivering provision through EHCP process
• Working in early years, school, college or residential settings
• Working with a dysphagia caseload
• Working within a multi-disciplinary team

Job responsibilities

Job Title: Speech and Language Therapist

Reporting to: Head of Education

Location: Meldreth & Orchard Manor

Main Purpose

To plan, provide and further develop an integrated Speech and Language Therapy service to the pupils at Meldreth Manor School, covering both communication and dysphagia needs.

Key Accountabilities

Initial and ongoing assessment in communication skills, including AAC.

The development, implementation and review of communication programmes.

Delivery of speech and language therapy interventions direct and indirect, as appropriate.

Multi-disciplinary working with staff teams target setting and supporting the delivery of individual programmes within the curriculum

Promotion of a Total Communication approach across the service.

Dysphagia management including assessment and review.

Multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working, to ensure joined-up management (for complex needs)

Development and delivery of staff training on communication and dysphagia management.

Provision of advice and support to families, carers and other relevant parties.

Delegation of tasks to the speech and language technician and other support staff

To contribute to the development of the wider service implementation plan in respect of speech and language therapy input

Key Duties

Manage and prioritise caseload according to individual need, to ensure equitable service delivery.

Work with the SLT Technician to manage workload efficiently.

Produce timely and concise clinical recording, maintaining confidentiality and the safe storage of both written and digital data.

Gain thorough knowledge of relevant background information and conduct comprehensive baseline communication assessments of all pupils and share this with the multidisciplinary team.

Produce communication aims for Individual Education Plans, in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team.

Plan and implement individual communication programmes and provide accessible written guidelines which can be delegated and delivered by others.

Regularly monitor and review outcomes for communication aims/programmes and modify as required

Work with the SLT technician and the wider team to develop and maintain Personal Passports for all students.

Attend and contribute to annual reviews, provide clear and concise written reports.

Liaise and work with other relevant agencies or professions to gain and share information as required, (medical professionals, therapists, dieticians etc), to include attendance at appointment where necessary eg transitions.

Contribute to and attend multi-disciplinary meetings such as behaviour support planning

Work alongside the SLT technician to develop a range of low and hi-tech AAC systems.

Use specialist software to produce grid-based communication systems and accessible resources.

Consult with others to identify and implement appropriate AAC/AT equipment.

Work with others to plan and implement an accessible environment, including the use of technology across the school.

Model good practice in terms of total communication techniques (eg signing, symbol use, language modification, intensive interaction).

Provide speech therapy interventions, as required for individuals, group and within the classroom.

Assess and provide advice and written guidelines for safe eating and drinking management.

Monitor eating and drinking practice and review guidelines as required.

Make referrals for specialist assessment or advice regarding dysphagia as necessary.

Undertake relevant learning and development to maintain CPD through self-directed study, network links, CEN membership, training and supervision.

Maintain clinical expertise in relevant fields, eg AAC, dysphagia.

Provide screening assessment for prospective new students; this may include visits to other schools/residential settings.

Recognise own professional boundaries with the role and when to seek appropriate guidance

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Understanding of eating and drinking issues associated with disability

Knowledge of a range of therapy interventions in learning disability

Knowledge of a range of AAC systems both hi and lo-tech

Good written and oral communication skills.

Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to relate to others and develop good working relationships.

Good time-management and organisation skills.

Ability to assess, devise and implement integrated therapy plans, based on identified needs.

Ability to train staff and modify approach according to need.

Good IT skills for administration, presentations, recording and reporting systems

Experience working with children or young people with learning disabilities

Knowledge of relevant legislation, current government initiatives (eg EHCP, MCA)

Knowledge of strategies for behaviour management.

Understanding of ASD

Understanding of alternative feeding methods

Knowledge of Hubs and Spokes model of AAC provision

Makaton or Signalong

Application of specialist software to produce accessible resources and communication grids

Experience working with children or young people with PMLD/complex needs.

Experience working with children or young people to manage dysphagia

Experience working with AAC systems including communication aids, symbol-based paper systems and symbol software

Requirements of Role

To be a registered member of RCSLT and HCPC

To hold a professional Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent.

To have a qualification in dysphagia (or a willingness to undertake).

To work within the RCSLT clinical guidelines and HCPC standards.

Additional Information

As part of the Aurora Group everyone is:

expected at all times to behave and act in a way which promotes and contributes to the overall aims, values and ethos of the Company.

required to participate in regular training and other learning activities, and in supervision, appraisal and development as required by the Company's policies and procedures

required to participate in any relevant current and new legislative and regulatory activities as may occur from time to time

required, through personal example and clear action, to demonstrate commitment to equality and diversity ensuring equality of access and treatment in employment and service delivery to all.

Required to promote The Aurora Group's Health and Safety at Work Policy and Procedure and ensure these are implemented effectively.

The Aurora Group takes seriously its responsibility for safeguarding and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young adults. Therefore, everyone employed by the Aurora Group is expected to share this and act accordingly by applying organisations policies and procedures and attending regular safeguarding training.

This job description sets out a summary of the key features of the role. It is not intended to be exhaustive and will be reviewed and amended periodically to ensure it remains appropriate for the role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• To be a registered member of RCSLT and HCPC
• To hold a professional Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent.
• To have a qualification in dysphagia (or a willingness to undertake).
• To work within the RCSLT clinical guidelines and HCPC 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.