Children\'s Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Children\’s Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

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Job Summary

We have an exciting opportunity available for a Part Time Children\’s Speech and Language Therapy Assistant. You will support our team of Speech and Language Therapists to deliver interventions to children who have speech, language and communication difficulties associated with significant and complex health and education needs. You will deliver individual and group therapy plans designed by a Speech and Language Therapist to pre school and school aged children across locations including patient homes, nurseries, clinics/health centres, mainstream and special school settings. This post also involves preparing therapy materials and carrying out administrative tasks associated with the Team. Experience of using a range of IT systems is essential. Applications are invited from individuals with a range of experience of working with children with significant speech, language and communication needs. A specific interest in supporting and developing the communication needs of this caseload, experience of using alternate methods of communication including symbol based systems and Makaton and previous experience of working alongside an SLT are all essential. Access to your own vehicle for work is essential. Please note this is an 18.75 part time post and full time hours are not available.

Main duties of the job

• To implement programmes of care devised by Speech and Language Therapists for children with significant speech, language and communication needs
• To modify approaches and activities within programmes of care to meet requirements/contexts
• To support the children and their families in using alternative and augmentative systems of communication
• To liaise with individuals involved with the patient including families and other professionals
• To prepare therapy materials and carry out administrative tasks

About Us

Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead. Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients. We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region. Our values should be the \’golden thread\’ which runs through everything we do – they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement. We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women\’s Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks. The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our \’Balance\’ programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.

Details

• Date posted: 14 October 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 4
• Salary: £27,485 to £30,162 a year pa pro rata
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Part-time
• Reference number: 297-7372415-C
• Job locations: Bensham Hospital, Bensham, Gateshead, NE8 4YL

Job Description

Job responsibilities

• To implement programmes of care devised by Speech and Language Therapists for children with significant speech, language and communication needs
• To modify approaches and activities within programmes of care to meet requirements/contexts
• To support the children and their families in using alternative and augmentative systems of communication
• To liaise with individuals involved with the patient including families and other professionals
• To prepare therapy materials and carry out administrative tasks
• To work within the Multi-disciplinary Team to provide support and appropriate interventions to patients in Gateshead to improve their health and maximise their level of independence
• To carry an allocated patient caseload under the supervision of qualified staff and supervise/motivate patients in activities relating to agreed treatment protocols

• To ensure that the highest level of patient care is achieved at all times in the most effective manner

Minimum of 5 GCSEs grade C (or equivalent) including English

• Degree in a relevant subject/NVQ level 4, BTEC Level 3 or equivalent in relevant subjects

Experience of working with relevant client groups, and/or working in Nurseries/Pre school settings, mainstream and specialist schools e.g. Profound and Multiple Learning Disability (PMLD), Cerebral Palsy, Downs Syndrome, Autism

Additional training relating to the specific client group and their overall management which is relevant to the post e.g. Makaton, PECS

Experience of working under the instruction of a Speech and Language Therapist to implement language programmes and/or alternate communication systems e.g. Communication boards, Makaton, voice output communication aids.

Knowledge of current Child Protection/Safeguarding children policies and procedures

Experience of working with children with additional needs especially in relation to speech, language and communication

Highly developed oral, written and non verbal communication skills including tact and sensitivity

Highly developed observation and listening skills

Organisational and time management skills

Administrative and clerical skills- MDT support

Ability to identify and appropriately minimise risk

Ability to keep up to date with Trust Policies and procedures and attend statutory training, study days and staff meetings as required.

Identify and be proactive in developing own skills and knowledge via supervision and appraisal systems and demonstrate competent practice

Ability to work independently or as part of a team

Working knowledge of Data Protection and Calidcott Principles

Ability to prioritise workload safely

Ability to work on his/her own initiative

Have the ability to travel across multiple sites as required

Daily requirements to sit at desk and use computer/VDU for multiple purposes

Daily requirement to receive complex clinical information and communicate this accurately and effectively to the correct recipient in a timely fashion

Frequent periods of concentration when facilitating programs of care as prescribed by a senior staff member

Ability to switch tasks as a result of managing multiple demands on time and the potential for frequent interruptions

Accurate keyboarding/typing skills

Knowledge of computer packages: Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Powerpoint and Microsoft Projects

It Literate

Excellent team player

Experience of working independently

Experience of working to tight deadlines

Experience of working in a Healthcare Environment

Experience of working in community healthcare systems

• Current UK drivers licence required
• Access to own vehicle for work
• Capable of independent travel across Gateshead/Car Owner/driver

Person Specification

Essential

• Qualifications: Min of 5 GCSEs Grade C or above Including English or equivalent; Relevant degree/NVQ level 4 or BTEC Level 3 in relevant subject

Desirable

• BTEC in Speech & Language Therapy Support or equivalent
• Completion of Elklan training

Experience

• Experience of working with children with significant speech, language and communication needs
• Experience of working in pre-school and school settings with children who have communication difficulties
• Experience of working with parents/carers
• Experience of working under the instructions of a Speech and Language Therapist to deliver specific programmes of advice
• Experience of alternative augmentative communication systems

Desirable

• Experience of working in a Special School environment
• Experience of working as a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Skills

• Highly developed communication skills
• Organisational and Time management skills
• Ability to work alone and as part of a team
• Confident IT Skills
• Administrative and clerical skills
• Car Driver

Desirable

• Knowledge/experience of EMIS/electronic record systems
• Experience in using symbol based software e.g. Communicate In Print, Boardmaker

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18) are also subject to this requirement.

Additional information: Disclosure and Barring Service Check, Certificate of Sponsorship details, and employer information are provided here for completeness but not required in the refined version.

Employer details

Employer name: Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Bensham Hospital, Bensham, Gateshead, NE8 4YL

Employer\’s website: https://www.qegateshead.nhs.uk

Seniority level

• Entry level

Employment type

• Part-time

Job function

• Health Care Provider
• Industries: Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists

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