Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Band 7 (15 hrs) Community Paediatric Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

We are looking for a highly specialist speech and language therapist to work within our preschool complex needs (PSCN) team on Thursdays & Fridays, providing assessment, differential diagnosis and intervention for children from birth to 5 years of age. This post has a communication focus, preschool dysphagia experience is useful, but not essential. Experience of the EHCNA process and working as part of a multi-disciplinary team is essential.

The post will be based in Ipswich CDC and includes multi-disciplinary diagnostic assessment sessions. The post holder must be able to manage the highly specialist caseload independently, oversee the work of an assistant and be able to travel to rural locations. There will be regular supervision and support sessions. We are an inclusive service and promote neuro-affirmative practises.

You will:

Independently manage a caseload of preschool children with a range of complex needs (PSCN). Provide assessments & deliver one-to-one interventions in a variety of community settings. Work closely with other MDT professionals which will include multi-disciplinary diagnostic assessment sessions. Upskill and empower therapy partners (parents, carers or educational staff) via direct and indirect work including face to face and virtual training groups (experience of Teams is desirable).

Participate fully in the EHC process, which includes assessment & report writing for initial plans & reviews. Use your knowledge and skills of eating/drinking issues to make onward referrals, signpost and support as required. You will work at a highly skilled level, be able to support less experienced colleagues and lead with students. You will support innovations in the team and actively participate in whole team & pathway meetings.

Familiarity with Systm One is advantageous however training is available.

Education and development:
To maintain and develop clinical excellence and professional competence through continuing professional development, and to reflect on and evaluate learning undertaken. To maintain up to date working knowledge of relevant procedures including:
Safeguarding Children, SEN procedures, and other legal frameworks. To share and promote learning within SLT Team, and more widely if required. To provide in-service training sessions as appropriate to relevant staff. To develop, organise, plan and deliver specialist training sessions for teachers/parents/carers and other professional staff. To provide specialist clinical advice to other professionals. To provide clinical and managerial supervision including appraisals to junior staff.

To actively provide second opinions/supervision to other therapists. To contribute to the identification of training needs within the team. To develop workforce / staff where applicable such as managing development posts for specialist area or pathway, apprentices and supporting individual staff development needs within area of expertise by offering shadowing / on-site learning, coaching or signposting to self-directed learning.

• Recognised Speech & Language therapy degree qualification
• Registered with the Health & Care Professions Council
• Member of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
• Evidence of continuing professional development via RCSLT log or portfolio
• Evidence of further postgraduate short courses or training relevant to clinical caseload
• Post Graduate diploma or equivalent in specialist area
• Committee role or other active role within a Clinical Excellence Network
• Certified trainer for relevant specialist areas e.g. Attention Autism/Makaton/ADOS/TOMs
• Coaching / leadership or mentoring courses or qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of specialist area
• In depth knowledge and experience of delivering a range of appropriate assessments and therapeutic interventions with children and their families
• Multi-agency and family centered working
• Statutory Processes, National Curriculum, EHCNA process and Safeguarding
• Use of outcome measures
• Delivering in-service training within a range of settings
• Supervising junior staff and students
• Experience of offering second opinions / supporting differential diagnosis
• Lead Educator for student placement Educator Training
• Problem solving, resolutions, managing challenging situations & differences of opinion
• Service improvement / project work / training offer

• Good organisational skills including ability to prioritise work and caseload for self and team
• Good awareness of relevant policies & procedures pertaining to working in a health care environment e.g. health & safety legislation, clinical governance, equality & diversity
• Digitally literate: able to use digital methods for record keeping and communicating effectively
• Generate ideas for the improvement of the service
• Managing…