At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide high-quality assessments and interventions for children with communication needs.
- Company: Join the outstanding Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, dedicated to inclusive care.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 27 days annual leave, and excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while growing your skills in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Qualified Speech and Language Therapist with experience in special or mainstream settings.
- Other info: Part-time role with travel across sites and potential for home working.
The predicted salary is between 34600 - 42000 £ per year.
Are you a qualified Paediatric SLT looking to make a real impact working with children in special schools? We are offering an exciting opportunity for a new or experienced Band 6 Speech & Language Therapist to join our fantastic Children and Young People’s Integrated Therapy (CYPIT) team on a 1-year fixed-term contract.
You will be based mainly at Addington School in Wokingham, with some time in other specialist resources. You will also run school holiday clinics for children without EHCPs.
As part of our wider collaborative CYPIT service, your role within the special school team includes:
- Managing your own complex caseload
- Service delivery using an impact-based model of clinical decision making
- Working within a supportive multidisciplinary team of OTs, Physios & Assistants
- Opportunities to shadow therapists, attend training and grow your skills
- Involvement in service development and supervising others, if desired
You will bring experience of working with children with additional needs - either in special or mainstream settings. CYPIT supports children and young people (0-19) across Berkshire. We offer integrated therapy services with accessible care and web-based advice. We are committed to family-centred, joined-up support.
This is a part-time role (22.5 hours/3 days per week), involving travel to several sites, with scope for some home working. We recommend applying ASAP - applications are reviewed as received, and the vacancy may close early.
Main duties of the job:
- Provide high quality assessment and interventions for children and young people with developmental / complex communication needs
- Opportunity to work alongside, and learn from experienced therapists
- Be involved in the implementation of training packages
- Contribute to defined projects and service development initiatives
- Maintain accurate and contemporaneous clinical records
About us:
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we are committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we are committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
- Caring for and about you is our top priority
- Committed to providing good quality, safe services
- Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
- Flexible working options to support work-life balance
- 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
- Excellent learning and career development opportunities
- 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
- Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
- Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
- Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
- Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
- Free parking across Trust sites
Job responsibilities:
The must haves for this role:
- Qualified Speech and Language Therapist, registered with HCPC
- Experience (including placement experience) in working with children or adults with additional needs
- Ability and readiness to travel to multiple sites within Wokingham
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification. We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Caroline Pethick on 07795617511 or email caroline.pethick@berkshire.nhs.uk.
Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
Person Specification:
Education/Qualifications/Training:
- Diploma / Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
- HCPC Registered
- Member of a clinical interest group
- Continuous Professional Development
- Masters degree in relevant area OR evidence of relevant experience within area of specialism, together with relevant short courses and/or post graduate training within a relevant field
- Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio including attendance at recent relevant post graduate courses
Previous Experience:
- Evidence of experience in the field of specialism to a level of in depth knowledge and expertise
- Comprehensive range of supervisory experience
- Contribution to clinical education of less experienced staff, students or assistants
- Work in special school and / or physical disability resource settings
- Experience with AAC assessment / management
- Experience with dysphagia assessment / management
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- High level of clinical knowledge and skill appropriate area of specialism
- Ability to pass on skills/knowledge to others within both formal and informal environments
- Ability to provide leadership to other team members
- Efficient, effective and diplomatic communication skills both written and verbal
- Awareness of the commissioning and provider landscape within children’s services
- Basic computer literacy
Additional Requirements:
- Car driver with ability to travel to multiple sites
- Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
£40,617 to £48,778 a year per annum, pro rata (Incl of HCAS)
Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist - Special Schools in Reading employer: Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
Contact Detail:
Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist - Special Schools in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the speech and language therapy field, especially those who work in special schools. They might have insider info on job openings or can even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to paediatric SLT. Think about your experiences with children with additional needs and how you can showcase your skills in a way that aligns with the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job alerts! Regularly check our website for new opportunities and apply as soon as you see something that fits. The sooner you apply, the better your chances of landing that interview!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role and keeping you top of mind for the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist - Special Schools in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Experience: In your supporting statement, detail your relevant experience working with children with additional needs. We want to see how you've made an impact in similar settings, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences quickly.
Apply Early!: We recommend applying as soon as possible since we review applications on a rolling basis. Don’t wait until the last minute – get your application in through our website today!
How to prepare for a job interview at Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of speech and language therapy, especially as it relates to children with additional needs. Familiarise yourself with the latest practices and models of clinical decision-making, as well as any specific techniques relevant to special schools.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous experience working with children, particularly in special or mainstream settings. Prepare examples that highlight your ability to manage complex caseloads and collaborate within a multidisciplinary team.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the role and the CYPIT team. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you understand how you can contribute to service development and training initiatives.
✨Demonstrate Your Values
Align your responses with the values of Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Emphasise your commitment to providing compassionate care and working collaboratively to develop innovative solutions for children and young people.