Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job overview

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This is an exciting opportunity for 6 speech and language therapists to work in the area of Neurodevelopmental assessment and post diagnostic support.

• 6 permanent positions

Working as part of a diverse and expert multidisciplinary team you will contribute to the assessment, diagnosis and post diagnostic support of children and young people with ASD/Neurodiversity. The team is supportive, warm and friendly with good opportunities for interdisciplinary working and professional development. The team is expanding in remit and numbers and the successful candidates will part of this expansion of service.

For further information please contact Jenny Corsie, Principal Speech and Language Therapist ([email protected])

Main duties of the job

To provide a specialised service to children with complex communication needs, particularly those related to ASD and other Neurodevelopmental conditions. A specialist knowledge of speech & language assessments, therapy interventions & strategies for this client group is  required.

To use a range of approaches and methods flexibly across educational establishments, nurseries, clinics and other community settings, including the child’s own home.

To use a range assessment procedures to support Multiagency assessment of Neurodevelopmental conditions.

To use specialist skills to offer advice and guidance around management strategies and to refer on to other agencies as appropriate, ensuring effective communication with parents / carers to explain clinical reasoning.

To support parents and carers and other agencies involved with the child’s education and care, providing information and advice on social communication specific strategies to be used in school  or at home.

Parents and carers will be central to decision making and will have opportunities to express their thoughts, feelings and experiences. They will be offered information about local and national  services.

To provide high quality and accessible clinical reports and documentation to support the child and family’s diagnostic journey.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Implement policies within the local area and propose changes to working practices or standard operating procedures for the local work area as required.
• Supervise the work of the junior team members, volunteers and lead student placements including supervision and assessment.
• Manage verbal concerns and highlight these to the Team Leader.
• Be aware of the risk framework and manage incidents through appropriate reporting systems.
• Provide triage, in- depth assessment, differential diagnosis, signposting,  intervention and modelling, report writing.
• Ensure that children/carers are involved in the planning and prioritisation of their care and facilitate joint decisions wherever possible.
• Communicate effectively with Education professionals to gather information and support their understanding of the Neurodevelopmental assessment service.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage children with challenging behaviours and complex disabilities.
• Work independently, as a member of the Neurodevelopmental Assessment Team and as a member of a wider inter-disciplinary team.
• Make appropriate referrals to other health, education and social care  professionals and complete peer review and combined decision making to develop diagnostic rationale and reasoning.
• Demonstrate the ability to reflect on auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of client’s communication and to identify appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance communicative effectiveness in the assessment.
• Provide advice to partner agencies regarding the management and care of children undergoing neurodevelopmental assessment.
• Engage in collaborative working practices including joint assessments with members of the team and with educational, social care and health  professionals, referring on for further investigation and assessment.
• Demonstrate empathy with children, carers and families and colleagues, ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist.
• Adapt practice to meet individual circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences.
• Negotiate with carers, clients and others around individual case management including the management of the communication environment.
• Reflect upon, evaluate and develop the level and quality of the service being given.
• Attend and actively participate in Case discussion and Health Review  Meetings, CAF and Safeguarding meetings as required.
• Provide comprehensive and timely reports for diagnostic process and to support any statutory requirement.
• Be responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained – including equipment loaned to client.

Please see Job Description for further information on non-clinical, training and education, clinical governance/audit, and communication responsibilities.