Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity to recruit one full time (37.5hpw), Band 6, Speech and Language Therapist to our Community Paediatric School Age Complex Needs pathway and team.

Based in Ipswich special schools and surrounding area, this post includes home and visits to alternative provisions.  You will work alongside health and educational colleagues, supporting children & young people (CYP) with their communication and eating and drinking needs, to ensure progress towards Education and Health Care Plan outcomes.

We use a flexible approach, including training for staff & parents and direct/indirect working across a range of environments. We are strongly committed to delivering effective, evidence-based therapy, and offer regular supervision with in-house CPD/training opportunities. We support a neuro affirmative approach.

We would welcome organised and positive applicants with current applicable specialist experience in assessment and intervention of CYP with complex speech, language & communication, as well as, eating and drinking needs. Experience working with therapy partners (parent/carers & educational staff), delivering intervention in schools, and delivering training is desirable.

An ability to travel to deliver services during the working day is essential.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will:

• Work with children and young people (CYP) with a broad range of speech, language, communication and eating and drinking needs associated with a learning or physical disability.
• Work independently to provide regular sessions to support the CYPs progress, evaluate/update EHCP targets, and write Annual Review reports
• Manage caseloads, plan & deliver provision for CYP as required within special school settings.
• Understand the differing presentations and development of speech, language, and communication skills in the context of disability or neurodiversity.
• Deliver, evaluate & develop training packages to relevant partners (face to face & virtually).
• Have strong emerging / established personal communication skills to convey key information to service users, colleagues, and other professionals.
• Work holistically and create effective partnerships for best outcomes.
• Manage expectations & matters arising e.g. compliments / complaints.
• Be familiar and confident with health record keeping systems (SystmOne) and MS packages, keep records in a concise and timely manner.
• Be organised and comfortable managing competing demands.
• Support the learning and development of less experienced team members.
• Safeguard CYP & support other staff to do so.
• Promote teamwork & best practice within the school and across the pathway.
• Maintain high levels of reflective practice & keep clinical skills up to date through CPD.
• Attend/participate in team meetings.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for further details around the main responsibilities of the role.