Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Blackstone Education are working with an SEN Further Education College based in Bromley who are looking to recruit a Speech and Language Therapist however will also consider an Speech and Language Therapist Assistant to support with the below vacancy.

Purpose of the job

Based at our College, the Speech and Language Therapist will be responsible for assessment and intervention for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and leading our multidisciplinary team of therapists, nurses and assistants.

The postholder support communication, interaction, independence in the college setting, preparing students for their adult lives beyond education.

You will work collaboratively with students, families, education and other members of the multidisciplinary team to support communication.

This will involve creating individualised goals for students to support communication development, emotional regulation, social interaction, and functional participation using evidence-based and student-centred approaches.

The postholder will typically spend approximately 70% of their time undertaking clinical duties and 30% of their time supporting the team, delivering supervisions and contributing to our College as part of the local Senior Leadership Team.

Main duties

• Clinical duties
• Deliver Speech and Language Therapy assessments and interventions for students with a range of communication, learning and developmental needs.
• Deliver evidence-based individual and group interventions that promote communication, participation, independence and wellbeing.
• Create innovative activities to support students to reach their EHCP outcomes and identified goals.
• Use evidence-based approaches and adapt interventions according to the student’s cognitive ability, sensory needs, behavioural presentation, and communication style.
• Provide advice, strategies and training to education staff and students’ families to support consistency across environments
• Support the use of AAC, visual support, and all appropriate communication strategies to engage students.
• Maintain accurate and professional documentation in line with HCPC standards and organisational policy.
• Manage and prioritise caseload effectively balancing targeted therapy with indirect or global support activities.
• Contribute to risk assessments, positive behaviour support approaches and multidisciplinary planning for students with complex needs.
• Monitor, report and evaluate therapeutic outcomes with support from the Clinical Lead.
• Leadership and Team Management
• Provide operational leadership and coordination of the local team, overseeing nurses, therapists and assistants.
• Support the induction, supervision, development and performance management of team members.
• Promote an inclusive and positive team culture that supports collaboration and high-quality student outcomes.
• Contribute to workforce planning, recruitment, retention and succession planning activities.
• Appropriately escalating risks, service pressures and operational issues to the Clinical Lead and local leadership team.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of service improvements that improve quality, efficiency and student experience.
• Clinical Governance, Quality & Compliance
• Support the delivery of safe, effective and evidence-informed clinical services.
• Contribute to clinical audits, quality assurance activities and service evaluations.
• Ensure compliance with HCPC, organisational policies, all relevant professional bodies and relevant statutory requirements.
• Support effective safeguarding practices and act in accordance with safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Participate in timely incident reporting, investigations, reflective learning and quality improvement activities.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning, professional development and accountability.
• Support the implementation of clinical policies and best practice guidelines.
• Maintain awareness of relevant legislation, professional standards within Speech & Language Therapy, and education settings.
• Collaborative Working
• Work in collaboration with other therapists and education staff to embed communication strategies and therapeutic approaches throughout the learning environment.
• Build effective partnerships with students, carers, parents and community health partners to support student-centred support and decision-making.
• Provide coaching, training to colleagues to support communication practices across the setting.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary meetings, yearly and EHCP reviews and support planning as required.
• Actively contribute to the local leadership team, supporting shared decision-making and organizational development.
• Undertake other duties appropriate with the grade and responsibilities of the post as reasonably required as the service develops.

Essential Criteria

• Degree/Diploma in Speech & Language Therapy
• HCPC registration
• Evidence of CPD
• Member of RCSLT
• Knowledge of communication development and disorders and evidence-based practice
• Understanding of Autism and learning disabilities
• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities, risk management and clinical governance
• Understanding of student-centred and outcome-focused practice
• Experience working with young people with SEND
• Experience managing complex communication, sensory and behavioural needs
• Experience of multidisciplinary working
• Experience delivering individual and group interventions
• Experience using AAC and visual supports
• Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills
• Ability to adapt communication approaches
• Strong clinical reasoning, organisational and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of MDT
• Commitment to inclusion
• Commitment to shared responsibility for the education and care of students
• Effective team member
• Full driving licence

Desirable

• Experience within educational settings
• Experience managing or coordinating a multidisciplinary team
• Experience line managing staff members (including from different professional registrations)
• Experience participating in audits, quality assurance or regulatory activities
• Relevant postgraduate training in any of the following: SEND/LD, dysphagia, AAC or complex communication needs
• Additional specialist certifications relevant to SEND
• Knowledge of sensory regulation, positive behaviour support or trauma-informed approaches
• Knowledge of AAC systems and approaches
• Understanding of Ofsted/CQC frameworks
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