Speech and Language Therapist Preschool​/Schools

Job Overview

We are:

• A large supportive, sociable and friendly MDT team of 60+ therapists
• Committed to the well‑being of our staff
• Easily accessible via public transport from central London and neighbouring counties

• Flexible working
• Time to ensure access to regular and ongoing CPD
• Support with signing off competencies
• Opportunities for shadowing in a range of settings
• Clearly structured caseloads and prioritisation system
• Highly structured induction with opportunities to shadow other therapists
• Access to clinical specialists in all areas

• Regular and ongoing developing therapist training
• A consistent caseload to see through assessment, ongoing therapy and up to discharge

This post is within both the pre‑school and the schools speech and language therapy team. You will manage a caseload of children and young people with support from the principal SLT. The post holder will provide speech and language therapy to a designated caseload of children with a range of speech, language and communication, eating/drinking difficulties and Special Educational Needs (SEN) attending pre‑school settings/clinics and schools in and around Harrow.

A significant proportion of these children will be bilingual.

To manage a defined caseload of children with communication needs across schools and early years/healthcare settings. This includes...

• To communicate complex patient‑related information effectively to ensure collaborative working with multidisciplinary team members across health, education and social services and the voluntary sector. In particular to work with parents, early years and teaching staff to ensure the delivery of a well‑coordinated care/support plan.
• To share information with others, observing confidentiality and data protection guidelines and having due regard for local guidance on sharing information with colleagues in education, social care and voluntary sector.
• To communicate complex condition‑related information (both verbally and in the written form) from assessment to CYP, parents/carers, and members of the multi‑disciplinary team/other professions including health visitors and GP’s. This includes child specific information as well as training packages to parents, early years/teachers and other professionals around the management of speech, language, communication and eating/drinking difficulties.
• To have due regard for the cultural and linguistic differences of children/families concerned.
• To work closely with CYP, carers and families, involving them in decision making, demonstrating and ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist (i.e. hearing loss, communication difficulties, EAL and learning difficulties).
• To employ excellent communication skills such as persuasion, motivation and explanations to encourage/ reassure clients and carers to undertake treatment programmes.
• To develop negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations.
• To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible and report to senior staff.
• To form productive relationships with others in particular parents/carers who may be under stress and/or have challenging communication difficulties.
• To provide clinical reports as per departmental standards.
• To provide written advice for statutory assessment of special educational needs.

Please see job description and person specification for main duties and responsibilities required in this post.

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification
• Health Care Professions Council – Licence to Practice
• Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

• Post graduate short courses in the provision of SLT to pre‑school and school age children
• Level 1 training in dysphagia

• Working with Children and young people
• Assessment treatment and management of children with speech, language and communication difficulties
• Working with parents and carers.
• Working within an educational environment
• Assessment…