Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Job overview

Band 4 SLT Assistant

Full time (37.5 hours per week)

Fixed Term - one year contract

We are seeking a Band 4 Speech and Language Therapy Assistant to join our Special Schools Team. The postholder will be mainly based at Richard Cloudesley, which is an outstanding school for children and young people with educationally significant physical disabilities.

They will be responsible for assisting in the effective delivery of individualised support and care to children undergoing assessment and receiving interventions from Speech and Language Therapists. They will develop skills in alternative communication methods suitable for children with severe and complex needs e.g. PODD, Makaton and other AAC systems both low and high tech. They will carry out individual or group programmes as directed by trained speech and language therapists.

In addition they will also support other special school teams with administrative tasks such as ordering equipment, audits and information management.

We are a friendly and relaxed service who promotes equal opportunities and access for all. The post holder will have excellent training opportunities, supervision and peer support.

Main duties of the job

The Therapy Assistant will work as a member of Special Schools Team and will be responsible for assisting in the effective delivery of individualised support and care to children undergoing assessment and receiving interventions from Speech and Language Therapists at special schools- primarily Richard Cloudesley school. She/ he will undertake clerical and clinical duties as directed to provide a health service to children and young people across special schools. In addition to clinical duties, the postholder will assist the wider MDT team

with overseeing and organisation of equipment ordering, co-ordination of clinics, managing spreadsheets and assisting therapists with follow up documentation.

The post holder will be split between Richard Cloudesley primary and secondary school sites. Dependent on need, there may be times when the Therapy assistant is required to work in other teams or departments within the service which may include Samuel Rhodes or Bridge school. They will receive regular supervision from a therapist in the team and receive training in-service and via team meetings and events.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Role Responsibility:

To be a member of the Special Schools team and share information with team members as directed and appropriate, keeping confidentiality at all times.

Ensure that up-to-date written and electronic records are maintained in accordance with Trust standards with guidance from supervisor.

Form professional relationships with children, families, the MDT and school staff and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture.

Assist team members with liaising with other agencies involved in the child’s care including: education, Social Services and Voluntary Services

Develop skills in working with children with additional needs requiring a range of therapy input including individual and group sessions.

Develop skills in alternative communication methods suitable for children with severe and complex needs and develop rapport e.g. PODD, Makaton and other AAC systems both low and high tech.

To use a variety of verbal and non-verbal communication skills and tools to communicate with children who are non verbal, of a non English speaking background, requiring an interpreter, with a hearing impairment, with altered emotional states, with a cognitive/learning/behavioural disability.

Report verbally and/or in writing to therapists on the child’s development and performance in therapeutic and functional skills.

Liaise with other agencies involved in the child’s care, including relatives and carers, as appropriate to the child’s needs, as directed by team members

Report effectively any issues or concerns to supervisor/line manager

Participate in service audits

Persuade and motivate children to participate in therapy activities and reassure if required.

Demonstrate effective communication over the telephone and in person to parents/carers and external agencies (especially teachers and teaching assistants)

Demonstrate ability to use computer systems, reports and inputting data including team, word, excel and other programmes used for audits or record management.

Assist the general specials schools Therapy & Nursing team with ordering, supplies, updating information and audits as required

Clinical Responsibility:

Undertake specific individual or group programmes as assessed and directed by trained staff members, observing general behaviour, ability and response of the children, recording the information as requested and reporting to a supervisor.  Settings could include clinic, home,  or school.

Engage children in therapeutic activities to promote speech, language and communication development.

Facilitate and participate in planned activities, seeking guidance if child’s condition changes.

Assist in the implementation of team member interventions including:

Assist in the running of therapy groups

Carry out therapy programmes as directed by SLT with children and young people

Under supervision of a therapist, provide a range of treatments; instructing and guiding children to support them in achieving identified goals.  To work towards goals identified by the child, family/carers, the treating therapist, education professionals and the MDT

Implements therapy treatment plans

Organising and scheduling visits

Assist team members with home assessment as required

Adhere to the Trust’s Policies and Procedures

To assist in completing risk assessment of environment and safety under the guidance of senior team members following local and Trust policies

Ensure that toys and play materials are kept clean, safe and secure, assisting with regular toy cleaning

Highlighting the need for resources to aid the smooth running of clinical sessions

To assist therapists in making and preparing clinical resources such as visual timetables, PODD books or other materials.

Assist with programming of high tech AAC devices under guidance of SLT

To support professionals staff in gathering evidence (including research database and website searches) and developing resources.

Provide training or demonstrating teachers/schools, with the support and guidance of therapists

Leadership and Staff Management Responsibility

Review and reflect own practice and performance through effective use of regular professional and operational supervision and appraisal.

Participate in non-clinical induction, training and education of students and new assistants as directed by supervisor/line manager

Provide support and organise peer support for more junior therapy assistant staff.