About this role
Job summary
We are seeking a highly motivated Speech & Language Therapist to join our friendly and supportive speech and language therapy team. Working within a committed and proactive multidisciplinary therapy team alongside education colleagues, you will support autistic pupils to develop their communication and achieve their full potential. The role has arisen in order to cover a period of maternity leave and is ideally full time, working term time only.
You will have the opportunity to run 1:1, group and joint sessions with therapy colleagues, provide consultation to education staff and work collaboratively with families. You will be an integral part of the whole school community and have the wonderful opportunity to work closely with our pupils to enable them to experience success and celebrate their achievements.
This role is a band 6 equivalent (applications from experienced band 5 welcome) and has the benefit of CPD as well as 15 weeks school holidays.
The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
To apply please complete the School's application form, available on the School's website or contact the School for further information on 01372 363663.
Main duties of the job
To be responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of the Speech and Language Therapy needs of the children attending Papillon House School. Interventions will be child centred and evidence-based and aim to reduce barriers to communication and learning and to enable pupils to participate in daily life as successfully as possible.
About us
Papillon House School is a special school for autistic children and young people aged 4-19 years.
Set in extensive woodlands in Tadworth, Surrey, Papillon House School provides a relaxed and caring environment for all children. We understand the important role that families play in their children's lives and at Papillon House School we have created an atmosphere whereby all members of the family feel welcomed and valued.
We are committed to enabling every child pupil to experience success by developing their strengths, celebrating their achievements and acknowledging their unique personalities.
We are lucky to have a skilled therapy team consisting of Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, an Art Therapist and Therapy Assistants as well as a Clinical Psychologist as our Head of Therapy and Behaviour.
Job description Job responsibilities
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
Clinical Responsibility
1. To assess and diagnose the speech, language and communication needs of pupils with ASD and to make appropriate clinical decisions about the provision of therapy to achieve identified outcomes.
1. To assess and diagnose the speech, language and communication needs of pupils with ASD and to make appropriate clinical decisions about the provision of therapy to achieve identified outcomes.
2. To develop and implement Speech and Language Therapy treatment plans that meet the identified outcomes for children.
3. To provide advice to others regarding the management and care of children with communication difficulties.
4. To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence based practice and outcome measures.
5. To develop the ability to reflect on all aspects of childrens communication and to identify appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance communicative effectiveness.
6. To develop clear treatment plans, targets and strategies based on best practice
7. To manage and prioritise a defined caseload independently
8. To manage and prioritise own workload
9. To write reports reflecting the level of knowledge required for the post, and which meet departmental standards
10. To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate
11. To work within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and
Professional code of conduct
Education and Development Responsibility own as well as the development of others
1. To participate in training/education for families and school staff to ensure understanding and need for treatment advised.
2. To be aware of changing trends in treatment and promote Evidence Based Practice within own team and interpret this into own specialist area of work in order to provide the highest standard of care to service users.
3. To participate in clinical audit, service development activities and research
programmes as required.
4. To assist with the organization and delivery of courses and in-service training programmes.
5. To carry out continual professional development as identified through supervision, including in-service training and courses as agreed. To participate in own supervision on a regular basis and work towards objectives set.
6. To take responsibility for identifying suitable courses and training programmes to enhance your own professional development, keeping abreast of new developments within relevant clinical fields.
8. To be actively involved in own supervision, peer support and relevant specialist section support groups.
Management and Leadership Responsibility including human resources, financial and other resources
1. To assist the Therapy team in planning and providing appropriate Speech and Language Therapy to pupils at Papillon House School. Including attendance at appropriate meetings, developing guidelines and protocols and reviewing service provision.
2. To keep the Lead SLT and Head of Therapy up-to-date with service provision issues and report any untoward incidences clinical or non-clinical, promptly, co-operating with any investigation undertaken.
3. To actively review efficacy of service delivery and facilitate setting up of new standards, or amend existing ones, in close liaison with the Team.
4. To keep up-to-date with the Department standards and policies and facilitate dissemination of this knowledge to colleagues.
5. To develop good working relationships with multi disciplinary teams, outside agencies and voluntary agencies to ensure that professionalism and service delivery are maintained.
6. To provide support and supervision to junior members of the team and unqualified SLT staff and students where appropriate, monitoring the standard of treatment and giving training and instruction as appropriate.
7. To work alongside the SLT lead to develop and promote the SLT service at Papillon House School.
Clinical Governance
1. To ensure that statistics and notes are kept in accordance with school and national policies.
2. To work in accordance with the Standards and Policies issued by the RCSLT, HCPC, the Therapy Department at Papillon House School and to meet legal requirements.
3. To keep up to date with clinical developments and changing trends in practice, including National Service Frameworks and Special Interest Groups.
4. To be responsible for the safe use of equipment by other staff and outside
agencies.
5. To be involved in monitoring and evaluation of SLT intervention as part of the multidisciplinary service and to liaise as necessary with other disciplines as needed.
Responsibility for Research and Development
1. To contribute towards the setting, monitoring and evaluation of standards and policies.
2. To be involved in SLT and departmental clinical audits as required.
Freedom to Act
1. To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your professional activities working within the codes of practice and professional guidelines.
2. To close periods of treatment appropriately, agreeing a point of closure with the carers and other professionals involved.
Confidentiality
To maintain client confidentiality and obtain informed consent.
This is not intended to be a comprehensive description of the duties of this post. The post holder may be required to undertake other related duties in the line with the nature and duties of this post which are not specifically mentioned above.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree qualification or equivalent Evidence of successful completion of competencies Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) registration Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) registration
Desirable
Membership of relevant Special Interest Groups
Personal attributes Essential
Excellent interpersonal skills Able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team Excellent communication skills both written and verbal Excellent organisational Skills Excellent time management skills Enthusiastic and committed to eliciting the best possible outcomes for pupils. Good time keeping
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities Essential
Knowledge and experience of a range of therapeutic interventions relevant to ASD underpinned by evidence based practice Specialist knowledge and understanding of normal child development Knowledge and understanding of ASD and associated difficulties Highly skilled ability to reflect on all aspects of the clients communication and identify appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance communicative effectiveness Ability to prioritise workload effectively Excellent analytical, problem solving and reflection skills Specialist knowledge of the use of relevant assessments and treatment approaches and practices, including the use of standardized assessments. Ability to transcribe speech and language at a grammatical and phonetic level Experience of using a range of AAC Evidence of own self development through appraisal, CPD and portfolio The ability to work autonomously, seeking support as appropriate Knowledge of Makaton Ability to delegate tasks Knowledge and awareness of relevant procedures and legal frameworks e.g. safeguarding children Experience of providing consultation and advice Excellent report writing Excellent record keeping
Desirable
Training in Makaton Experience of teaching and delivering specialist training Previous experience / training of working with people with challenging behaviours Knowledge of specialist approaches for ASD including TEACCH and Intensive Interaction Experience using symbol programmes e.g. widget / boardmaker
Experience Essential
To hold a minimum of 2 years post graduate experience Knowledge/experience in the use of relevant assessments and treatment approaches and practices, including the use of standardized assessments. Evidence of effective multi-disciplinary and multi-agency work Experience of working in the field of Autism
Desirable
Experience of working in a school environment
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.
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 Papillon House School
Address Papillon House School
Pebble Close
Tadworth
Surrey
KT20 7PA
Employer's website https://www.papillonhouseschool.co.uk/page/default.asp?title=Home&pid=1 (Opens in a new tab)