Speech and Language Therapy Assistant (CALS) - Birmingham

Speech and Language Therapy Assistant (CALS) - Birmingham

ChatterBug Speech and Language Therapy Service

Are you looking for a rewarding career working with children? If you have excellent communication and listening skills and enjoy working with both adults and children, then a career as a ChatterBug Communication and Language Specialist could be for you.

We are looking to recruit a caring and motivated individual to work within our professional team, delivering a variety of early interventions, preventative services, and activities to support young children in their language and social development needs. You will predominantly be working in primary schools, early years settings, and running intervention groups.

The CALS will carry out therapy programmes devised by Speech and Language Therapists, under the guidance of a lead therapist, this may be with individuals or with groups of children. They will support the preparation and maintenance of therapy/training materials and equipment for the service and service users. The CALS will promote the importance of Speech, Language, and Communication skills in the local community.

This is a term-time position (39 weeks a year) based in Birmingham. Pro-Rata Salary £25,000.

• You will require your own mode of transport i.e. car.
• The role will be based in and around the East Midlands Region.

Main duties of the job

To carry out therapy programmes devised by Speech and Language therapists either with individual children or in small groups, often working independently, and reporting session outcomes to the lead or supervising therapist.

Job responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical

• To carry out therapy programmes devised by Speech and Language therapists either with individual children or in small groups, often working independently, and reporting session outcomes to the lead or supervising therapist.
• To become proficient in recognising children with a range of communication difficulties and delivering treatment plans, whilst being supported by a Speech and Language Therapist.
• To carry out School/Nursery and occasionally home visits as identified by a Speech and Language Therapist.
• To undergo an initial period of in-service training and continue to receive appropriate training.
• To keep Speech and Language Therapists fully informed of a child’s progress.
• To respect the confidentiality of all information to which she/he has access.
• To maintain departmental quality standards in working practices and be aware of clinical pathways and guidelines.
• To represent the service at meetings where required, under the guidance of a Speech and Language Therapist.
• To provide universal and targeted level advice on optimising the client’s communicative environment.
• To assist the therapist in devising and implementing a range of non-verbal communication systems.
• To highlight to the supervising therapist where appropriate onward specialist referrals for children may be required.
• To provide administrative support preparing, photocopying and maintaining supply of therapy materials/equipment.
• To be responsible for the care and maintenance of SLT equipment.

Communication

• To have very good verbal/written communication skills.
• Communicate information about treatment to clients, carers, and other professionals effectively.
• To provide verbal advice to parents/guardians regarding the management and care of children.
• To ensure that clients/parents/teaching staff are involved in the delivery of the treatment plans.
• To maintain up-to-date and accurate case notes in line with service policies.
• To share information with clients, carers, and other professionals, observing current data protection guidelines.

Teaching Skills

• To deliver pre-written training to others related to Speech, Language, and Communication.
• To demonstrate the ability to reflect on and evaluate the training provided with guidance from a lead Speech and Language Therapist.
• To support/coach/skill and advise others in the delivery of treatment programmes.

Clinical Governance Requirements

• To gather and submit statistical data punctually.
• To have a working knowledge of relevant procedures including safeguarding children.
• To engage in Continuing Professional Development.
• To demonstrate a passion and commitment to the profession through self-guided study.
• To participate in an individual performance review.
• To attend relevant in-service training and meetings.
• To take responsibility for maintaining and developing professional skills and knowledge in SLCN.
• To participate in team and departmental projects as required.

Business Development

• To promote and raise awareness of ChatterBug and the services we provide.
• To identify opportunities for new business.
• To represent the company ethos and values.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

• To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice with peers and mentors.
• To anticipate and take appropriate steps to prevent the breakdown of relationships with parents/guardians and other professionals.
• To gather service user feedback and participate in service analysis of feedback.

Responsibility for Client Care and Contact with Carers

• To demonstrate the ability to support people with communication difficulties and their parents/carers.
• To work closely with clients, carers, and other professionals to negotiate and agree on client management.
• To demonstrate empathy with clients, carers, and colleagues.
• To respond sensitively at all times.
• To demonstrate skills in motivating clients, carers, and other professionals to engage in the therapeutic process.
• To adapt practice to meet individual client’s circumstances.

Physical Skills

• To demonstrate good auditory and perceptual skills in the treatment of clients.
• To demonstrate knowledge of correct moving/handling clients.
• To use equipment with due care and attention.

Responsibility for Equipment or Financial Resources

• To be responsible for the security, care, maintenance, and delivery of equipment.
• To monitor stock/equipment levels in our own service area and request new equipment as appropriate.

Level of Freedom to Act

• To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries.
• To work within defined departmental and national protocols/policies.
• To manage a caseload as allocated by and directed by lead SLT.
• To recommend discharge/continuation of intervention appropriately to the lead SLT.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Experience of working with children.

License

• Valid Drivers License.
• Access to own Vehicle.

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.

ChatterBug Speech and Language Therapy Service

£25,000 a year Pro Rata (39 weeks TTO, actual salary £17,120.00)