Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist 
Position: Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Location: Meldreth, Cambridgeshire/Hertfordshire border
Salary: £48,110.40 - £54,766.40 per annum, depending on skills and experience 
Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, 52 weeks a year

This setting 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. Many of the students have complex medical needs and sensory/ physical impairments. The students are supported to manage sensory overload, anxiety, low self-esteem, low confidence, and difficulty with transitions which is often demonstrative through their behaviours. 

The childrens' home offers up to 52 week placements for children, all of whom currently attend theon site school. There is also 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 the 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 the MDT assessments of need.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• 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

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
• Post-graduate dysphagia training
• 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

What’s on offer:

• Opportunities for meaningful career development
• Fully funded training and qualifications
• Life assurance
• Enhanced pension scheme 
• Perk Box- offering high street discounts
• Employee assistance programme
• Bike to work scheme
• Car lease scheme

Apply/Enquiries:

If you are interested in this role, please send a full CV to nicola.pollitt@teachingpersonnel.com and I will send the relevant application form.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
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