About this role
Job summary
We are seeking to appoint a qualified Speech and Language Therapist (SaLT) to provide an on-site service for our students and work alongside the Head of Therapy to further enhance and continue to shape our therapeutic provision.
Main duties of the job
At Great Oaks College, therapy is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise the vital role that Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy play in supporting students' communication, independence, wellbeing and preparation for adulthood. Our therapeutic approach is embedded throughout college life, with therapists and education staff working closely together to ensure therapeutic strategies are integrated into everyday learning and experiences.
About us
Great Oaks College is a specialist independent college operating across two sites, providing further education opportunities for students aged 19-25 with Autism, moderate, severe, and profound and multiple learning difficulties.
We offer three pathways: Vocational, Life and Living, Engagement for Life.
The Life and Living Pathway is based at The Triangle in Hounslow, while the Engagement for Life and Vocational Pathways are located at The Windmill in Sunbury-on-Thames, our main college site. This is an exciting time to join Great Oaks College.
As we continue to expand our provision and invest in the development of our main site, the college is entering a significant period of growth. This role offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to the future direction of our therapy services and make a lasting impact on the lives of our learners.
The ideal candidate will have experience working with young adults with complex needs within a specialist educational setting this may include Autism, SLD and PMLD.
We believe that all of our students are capable of making outstanding progress, and we are looking to appoint individuals who share this belief.
Great Oaks College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people, and anyone applying to work at the college is expected to share this commitment.
This position is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check (including adult barred list) and receipt of satisfactory references.
Job description Job responsibilities
Main purpose of the job
To provide an on-site Speech and Language Therapy service to students aged 1925, delivering therapy as specified in students Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
To work as part of an integrated, holistic therapy team, embedding communication support across all aspects of college life.
To act as the lead Speech and Language Therapist within the college, working closely alongside the Head of Therapy to develop, deliver, and strategically expand the SaLT provision.
Main responsibilities and tasks
To deliver speech and language therapy as outlined in students EHCPs, including individual and group therapy as required.
To support teaching and support staff to embed SaLT programmes into lessons in line with relevant curricula and pathways.
To act as a leader and advocate for the Colleges Total Communication approach, supporting staff and wider stakeholders to understand and prioritise communication.
To organise and manage own workload effectively in line with college deadlines, including clinical supervision, in collaboration with the Therapy Lead, Deputy Principals and pathway leads, to best meet student needs.
To produce high-quality written reports for annual reviews and attend annual reviews as required.
To play an integral role in the assessment of new students, including:
Supporting the admissions and assessment process
Liaising with current settings
Visiting students in their existing placements
Advising on and ordering appropriate SaLT equipment and resources
To support staff to ensure SaLT resources are created, ordered, organised, and used effectively across the college.
To work with external professionals as required for specialist interventions including Dysphagia
To work collaboratively with the therapy team, teachers, and support staff to ensure therapy is viewed as a core value and integral part of Great Oaks College provision.
To report regularly to the Principal and College Board on the Speech and Language Therapy service, providing expert advice to support the strategic development and expansion of the service in line with student growth.
To work with the Senior Leadership Team to deliver against the Colleges Quality Improvement Plan, contributing specialist expertise to strategic planning.
To work with family's and carers in transitioning skills to outside education, making referrals where appropriate
To work with Deputy Principals to identify, organise, and deliver training to college staff and the wider community supporting students.
To support the transition of students communication aids and strategies outside of college as they prepare to leave education.
To undertake any other duties commensurate with the post as required by the Principal.
Key Relationships (Internal and External)
The Students
Staff at Great Oaks College
Clinical supervisors
Parents and carers
School / College Leadership Team
Feeder schools and other educational settings
Staff supporting student transition and employment
College Board
Equal Opportunities
The College has a strong commitment to achieving equality of opportunity and expects all employees to actively promote and implement this in their work.
Health and Safety
The College is committed to providing a healthy and safe working environment and expects all employees to adhere to and promote health and safety policies at all times.
Confidentiality
The College is committed to maintaining the privacy of all staff and students. All staff must handle personal information in a sensitive and professional manner and must not access information they are not authorised to have.
Safeguarding
The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. Appointment is subject to appropriate safeguarding checks.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
At least two years' experience working in a specialist school or college setting working with young people with Autism and SLD Experience working with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), including outcomes-based intervention Experience delivering individual and group therapy Experience supporting staff to embed communication strategies (including high and low tech AAC) into educational or care settings Experience writing professional reports and contributing to annual reviews Able to design and deliver speech and language programmes Working with parents to ensure they can deliver SALT programmes at home Experience delivering staff training and workshops Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary therapy team KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS Understands the needs of students with learning difficulties including Autism and complex needs Able to train, motivate and support staff, enabling their commitment to providing a high-quality service to students and families. Ability to assess, plan, deliver, and evaluate SaLT interventions Competent in using ICT both within role and in recordkeeping systems Understands safeguarding procedures relating to the role.
Qualifications Essential
RCSLT recognised degree/diploma or MSc (Hons) in Speech and language therapy or equivalent qualification Registered and current membership with HCPC Level 2 qualification in English and Maths (GCSE Grade 5 or above, or equivalent qualification) Demonstration of relevant continuing professional development (CPD) Specialist training and experience in: Autism and social communication AAC / Total Communication approaches
Desirable
Registered and current membership with RCSLT Specialist training and experience in Dysphagia and PMLD Competent in using a range of communication strategies -e.g. touch cues and Makaton Experience working with children or young people with complex needs, including PMLD
Personal Qualities Essential
Understands the needs of students with learning difficulties including Autism and complex needs Able to train, motivate and support staff, enabling their commitment to providing a high-quality service to students and families. Ability to assess, plan, deliver, and evaluate SaLT interventions Competent in using ICT both within role and in recordkeeping systems Understands safeguarding procedures relating to the role. The candidate is willing to put our students needs at the centre of all they do at work. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Tactful, diplomatic and sensitive to the needs of others Excellence record in both attendance and punctuality. Not in Management of Absence process. Sensitive to the challenges faced by students, staff and families. Approachable, polite and professional. Resilient. Able to meet demands of a challenging high pressured environment and deal with emergencies when required. Flexible. Able to manage last minute changes when required. Physically able to undertake all aspects of the role . High expectations of self and others. Well-groomed and presented in line with requirement of the role. Able to travel to 2 sites (Hounslow and Sunbury) Committed to equality of opportunity for all.
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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Great Oaks College
Address Great Oaks College
91-93 Windmill Road
Sunbury-on-Thames
Surrey
TW16 7EF
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://greatoakscollege.com/ (Opens in a new tab)