About this role
Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity to recruit one full time (37.5hpw), Band 6, Speech and Language Therapist to our Community Paediatric School Age Complex Needs pathway and team.
Based in Ipswich special schools and surrounding area, this post includes home and visits to alternative provisions. You will work alongside health and educational colleagues, supporting children & young people (CYP) with their communication and eating and drinking needs, to ensure progress towards Education and Health Care Plan outcomes.
We use a flexible approach, including training for staff & parents and direct/indirect working across a range of environments. We are strongly committed to delivering effective, evidence-based therapy, and offer regular supervision with in-house CPD/training opportunities. We support a neuro affirmative approach.
We would welcome organised and positive applicants with current applicable specialist experience in assessment and intervention of CYP with complex speech, language & communication, as well as, eating and drinking needs. Experience working with therapy partners (parent/carers & educational staff), delivering intervention in schools, and delivering training is desirable.
An ability to travel to deliver services during the working day is essential.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will:
Work with children and young people (CYP) with a broad range of speech, language, communication and eating and drinking needs associated with a learning or physical disability. Work independently to provide regular sessions to support the CYPs progress, evaluate/update EHCP targets, and write Annual Review reports Manage caseloads, plan & deliver provision for CYP as required within special school settings. Understand the differing presentations and development of speech, language, and communication skills in the context of disability or neurodiversity. Deliver, evaluate & develop training packages to relevant partners (face to face & virtually). Have strong emerging / established personal communication skills to convey key information to service users, colleagues, and other professionals. Work holistically and create effective partnerships for best outcomes. Manage expectations & matters arising e.g. compliments / complaints. Be familiar and confident with health record keeping systems (SystmOne) and MS packages, keep records in a concise and timely manner. Be organised and comfortable managing competing demands. Support the learning and development of less experienced team members. Safeguard CYP & support other staff to do so. Promote teamwork & best practice within the school and across the pathway. Maintain high levels of reflective practice & keep clinical skills up to date through CPD. Attend/participate in team meetings.
About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyone's voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Job description Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for further details around the main responsibilities of the role.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications Essential
Recognised Speech & Language therapy degree qualification Registered with the Health & Care Professions Council Eligible for registered membership of Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists Evidence of continuing professional development via RCSLT log or portfolio
Desirable
Member of a Clinical Excellence Network Evidence of further post graduate short courses or training relevant to clinical caseload: e.g. Makaton, SCERTS, stammering approaches, Nuffield, Intensive Interaction, Attention Autism, Eating/Drinking etc Recent Placement Educator Training
Experience and knowledge Essential
Experience and working knowledge of Paediatrics as a specialist area Knowledge and experience of a range of paediatric SLC assessment methods. Knowledge of the National Curriculum & Statutory Assessment Procedure and experience of writing Statutory Assessment and Annual review reports Experience of working with other professionals including parents, education staff and health professionals. Knowledge and experience of using a range of paediatric therapy techniques and approaches to a specialist level Knowledge and experience of the impact of a SLCN difficulty for the child or young person and their family / carers. Knowledge of Safeguarding CYP Experience of training others
Desirable
Previous Band 6 experience or evidence of working at a specialist level Experience of working in community paediatric settings Experience of record keeping via SystmOne Experience of MDT working Experience of working in teams or groups Experience of working with children/young people with complex presentations
Skills and abilities Essential
Good presentation skills, written and verbal Digitally literate: able to use digital methods for record keeping and communicating Good organisational skills including ability to prioritise work and caseload Ability to work under pressure Supervision Skills Well-developed concentration skills Ability to demonstrate good analytical and reflection skills, and adapt practice accordingly Applies relevant policies & procedures pertaining to working in a health care environment e.g. health & safety legislation, clinical governance, equality & diversity
Desirable
Triaging skills Leadership skills e.g. coaching, negotiation & problem solving, supporting change
Personal qualities Essential
Holistic approach Flexible, able to manage changing circumstances Self-aware & motivated Ability to work in a team Able to travel across the Trust Excellent interpersonal skills: including observation, active listening and empathy skills Able to cope with exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances
Desirable
Experience with managing difficult / challenging circumstances Experience of project work or leading small teams Growth mindset
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 West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address St Helens House
571 Foxhall Road
Ipswich
IP3 8LX
Employer's website https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)