Speech and Language Therapy Assistant - Band 3/4

Job overview

Community Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Assistant Band 3/4 (development post)

We require a part-time Speech and Language Therapy Assistant to join our School Age Complex Needs pathway.

This 22.5 hours per week post is based in Ipswich special schools and the surrounding area, with some work in homes or alternative provision.

Appointment is at Band 4 for applicants with previous employment as an NHS SaLTA, or Band 3 for those with relevant experience who will be supported to complete SaLTA competencies.

Working under the supervision of Speech and Language Therapists, you will also work independently with children and young people with complex needs in one-to-one and small-group sessions.

You will liaise with teaching staff, parents/carers and health and education colleagues, supporting communication outcomes within EHCPs.

Key skills include good communication, organisation, patience, creativity, positivity, ability to follow guidance and ask for support, and confidence using Microsoft packages/electronic records.

Experience with complex needs, Makaton, symbols, TalkPads, Intensive Interaction or Attention Autism is welcomed; training and supervision are provided.

Ability to travel during the working day is essential.

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will:

• Deliver therapy packages to children and young people with complex communication needs, including behavioural challenges, under the guidance and support of Speech and Language Therapists.
• Be able to work independently as well as with colleagues
• Be able to work effectively and flexibly with a variety of people, across settings to achieve best outcomes
• Communicate therapy outcomes / next steps to relevant therapy partners and the therapy supervisor.
• Organise therapy sessions by timetabling sessions with therapy partners
• Offer support to the wider team as required e.g. by making resources for therapy sessions, programming Talkpads and other technology, supporting organisation of toys and resources and supporting delivery/booking of therapy groups, gathering information, and assisting with home visits.
• Be comfortable managing competing demands.
• Use our computer systems (Systm One) to record clinical notes, daily.
• Use Microsoft packages, Outlook, Word, Teams etc to keep in touch with service users and colleagues, participate in training and to communicate within the team
• Support delivery of training packages to parents/carers and educational staff (both face to face and virtually).
• Safeguard students, support other staff to do so
• Support teamwork & best practice within the school and across the pathway
• Attend/participate in team meetings

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the full job description for more information

The primary purpose of this role is to deliver speech, language and communication therapy programmes, devised by speech and language therapists, to individual or groups of children and young people (CYP). Supporting and training others (educational staff, parents/carers and less experienced colleagues) is a key component of this SLTA role. This community-based role involves working mainly in special school settings but may include visits to specialist units (SSUs), nurseries or homes, according to service need. The client group comprises of children with varied communication difficulties, children with Special Educational Needs and complex presentations. Therapy is typically delivered face to face but may also be via digital methods (e.g. via Microsoft Teams).

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.