Therapy Assistant Practitioner

Job overview

We are seeking a compassionate, innovative, and enthusiastic Band 4 Therapy Assistant Practitioner to join our ‘Outstanding’ community Children’s and Young People’s Specialist services. You would be joining a friendly and supportive highly specialist multidisciplinary team and would contribute to the development of Allied Health Professional (AHP) provision within our Learning Disability Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (Starfish).

The post is 18.75 hours per week and will be based at St James, King’s Lynn, but working across Norfolk, including Kings Lynn, Great Yarmouth, and Norwich. Flexible working is supported and includes agile/home working where relevant.

The Starfish Team offers assessment and intervention for young people of school age (4-18 years) with a diagnosed learning disability who are experiencing significant behavioural and/or mental health difficulties.

The Starfish team covers a large geographical area, so it is essential that you can drive and have access to a vehicle when pool cars are not available.

Main duties of the job

• Assist SLTs/OTs in their work with children, preparation of materials for therapy, programming electronic communication aids Use a broad range of communication skills (eg. persuasion, motivation) to establish a rapport and engage with children and their families; to develop child’s and family’s understanding of their needs and encourage effective participation in therapy. Use acquired skills and knowledge of SLT and OT strategies in treatment sessions under the direction of a registered SLT or OT.  Eg. use of signing, visual timetables/resources, Intensive Interaction, sensory strategies, and basic understanding of the Zones of Regulation etc.

Work with children, individually and in groups, without SLT/OT present but following therapy programmes and guidance; monitor child’s progress and to alert SLT/OT to the need to change therapy input.

• Regularly work with cases, delegated by SLT/OT, in Nurseries, Playgroups, Schools and other locations as agreed. Liaise with teachers, other carers or professionals under guidance from SLT/OT. Carry out delegated observation and assessments of children as agreed with SLT/OT, which will contribute to Therapist’s own assessment and treatment planning.

Assist with induction of new staff, and to provide observation opportunities for prospective SLT/OT career candidates and non-health related individuals as requested by Line Manager.

Please see attached job description and person specification.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will work alongside Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) and Occupational Therapists (OTs) supporting their work with children in groups and individual direct treatment sessions

To work on own without direct supervision, carrying out specific tasks with individual children.

The post holder will work flexibly as a team member and use initiative within the boundaries of the role.