Specialist Speech and Language Therapist | Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust in Erith

Important Sponsorship Information for this post: We are unable to offer a certificate of sponsorship for this post.

To provide a specialist clinical SLT service to children and young people with speech, language, and communication needs within our mainstream schools and early years settings.

To work with children and young people with speech, language and communication needs, including those with social communication differences and/or Autism and associated language disorder.

To participate in the co-ordination, development and delivery of training programmes and information for early years/school staff, parents and carers, and colleagues in health and education.

To work as part of a team with early years colleagues, class-teachers, learning support assistants, head teacher, therapists, and the child’s family/carers.

To provide an assessment and therapy service for children with speech and language needs referred to the early years team and mainstream schools within the Borough of Bexley.

To manage a complex communication caseload independently, accessing clinical/managerial supervision on a regular basis and making a differential diagnosis based on evidence from assessment, seeking advice when appropriate.

To demonstrate specialist clinical skills in the assessment and intervention of autism spectrum disorder, providing second opinions and supervision to other members of the team.

To deliver care in line with the RCSLT/HCPC professional guidelines and standards.

To be responsible for the planning and evaluation of evidence-based therapy interventions, monitoring and reviewing the progress of therapy programmes implemented and facilitating modifications of interventions/targets as appropriate.

To maintain professional competence through personal development and training, ensuring compliance with HCPC Registration requirements and maintaining a professional portfolio.

To reflect on clinical practice, identifying strengths and needs and providing evidence of sound clinical practice.

To undertake mandatory training in line with Trust Policy and attend updates and study days as appropriate to the post.

To undertake relevant public health skills training and updates as required.

To ensure involvement of education staff, the family/carer, other professional staff, and the client in the therapy planning and programme.

To provide therapy intervention if required and work with education staff/practitioners in promoting the child’s speech, language, and communication.

To contribute to the setting and review of the child’s IEP, individualised work, and/or group work joint planning.

To provide therapy planning and intervention within a multidisciplinary framework wherever possible, working alongside SLT Assistants, Educational Psychologists, Bexley Early Autism Service (BEAS), and therapy colleagues as well as Advisory Teachers.

To support the establishment and maintenance of standard speech language and communication approaches across education settings through developing and leading on standard and bespoke training sessions and reviewing the impact of this training.

To respond to the requirements of relevant Education legislation by providing advice as part of any re-assessment process and taking part in Annual and Transfer Reviews as appropriate.

To write detailed official reports regarding the child’s Speech, Language and Communication and the Speech and Language Therapy advice for Statutory assessment including Education, Health and Care plans.

To maintain and develop effective and innovative partnership arrangements with other agencies to ensure care pathways for clients are integrated.

To participate in the co-ordination, development and delivery of training programmes and information packages for colleagues in health, education, voluntary sector organisations, and parents/carers.

To maintain a clinical caseload in accordance with priorities of service.

To refer on to other agencies as appropriate including the Autism Assessment Service (AAS), Early Years Specialist Support (EYSS), Occupational Therapy, Audiology etc. as appropriate.

To liaise with specialist AAC centres and engage in seeking professional updates on alternative and augmentative means of communication including sign, symbols, electronic and digital systems.

To recognise potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs and seek advice and support to resolve.

To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT professional standards and local trust policies.

To supervise the work of newly qualified therapists, assistants/therapy support staff/administration and clerical staff, and learning support assistants.

To explain the role of Speech & Language Therapists to visitors, students, and volunteers.

To monitor and evaluate own service delivery accessing clinical supervision on a planned basis.

To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate through mentoring, peer support, clinical and managerial supervision.

To work within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct.