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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties

Carry out screening assessment of the Speech, Language and Communication skills of cohorts of children within the identified schools following training and support from the projects SLTs.

Accurately record data from these assessments which will be used to inform practice and monitor impact and progress of the project.

Following training, deliver specific supportive interventions designed to promote children’s SLC.

Work alongside school staff to implement interventions and supportive measures.

Record and feedback observations and indicators from the interventions and measures provided.

Job Purpose/Summary:

We are excited to introduce an innovative project supporting the Speech, Language and Communication skills of children within identified schools in Luton Borough, with a focus on Universal and Targeted support.

Luton has been identified as the Pathfinder Borough for Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC) in the East England Change Programme Partnership.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a team of Speech and Language Support Practitioners to deliver interventions, alongside colleagues in education, promoting better outcomes for children’s Speech, Language and Communication (SLC) skills.

You will be supported by the ELSEC project lead (Speech and Language Therapist), a highly specialist Speech and Language Therapist (SLT), and an Advisory Teacher, to assess cohorts of children and deliver interventions promoting SLC skills.

Experience of working with primary aged children and/or in education, having a passion for supporting children’s development and an enthusiasm for Speech, Language and Communication are essential.

You must demonstrate a commitment to working alongside colleagues to form a strong team and strive to deliver excellent support to the children and staff you work with, working closely with colleagues in education and the wider SLT team to meet the project’s aims.

Communication

To provide direct feedback to patients, parents / carer, other professionals on the sessions carried out as required

To liaise with other professionals, support staff, parents / carers, ensuring that they understand the therapy approach or programme of work, under indirect supervision by a Therapist.

To be sensitive and communicate respectfully and effectively, particularly where difficulties in understanding exist.

To establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with other staff, which are characterised by open communication, trust, and respect.

To attend and contribute as appropriate to Locality Meetings, Clinical Forums and Paediatric service meetings and other professional and / or relevant meetings.

To take a leading role in the Support Practitioner Clinical Forum.

Budgetary Responsibility

To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate.

Does not hold budgetary responsibility but is aware of the need to plan non- pay expenditure.

People Management

Maintaining own professional development and requirement to take part in appraisal and KSF process.

To attend relevant training and development in order to further develop skills in implementing and knowledge of Speech and Language Therapy approaches and programmes.

To actively participate in reflective clinical supervision in order to develop and enhance practice.

Clinical and Practice Governance

Observe and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to any patient/family/staff/records and information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.

Any data that is taken/shared as part of a phone call or transported, faxed, or transferred electronically must be undertaken with regard to the Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies.  

The post holder must adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes

The post holder must adhere to infection control policies and procedures

Undertake mandatory training and any other training relevant to the role as required by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust.

The post holder must participate in clinical and safeguarding audits as required

The post holder is required to participate in relevant emergency preparedness process for their team

Provide patients and their families /carers with information on standards they should expect from the team

The post involves working with small children – frequent requirement for sitting on child size chairs or on the floor in a restricted position.

To apply skills in physically working with patients with disabilities with support.

To transport equipment required for sessions or training, to a variety of locations.

To be flexible to the demands of the environment including unpredictable work patterns and sudden change in patient need.

To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of children with special needs, learning disabilities and / or communication difficulties and their carers.

General

Safeguarding people responsibility

Safeguarding children and adults at risk of abuse or neglect is a collective responsibility.

There is an expectation that all staff develop and maintain their role relevant safeguarding people competencies and comply with local safeguarding partnerships practice. Alongside this employee who are registrants are reminded of their professional duty of care.

Safeguarding means protecting a citizen’s health, wellbeing, and human rights; enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. It is an integral part of providing high-quality health care.

Those most in need of protection include:

Children and young people

Adults at risk, such as those receiving care in their own home, people with physical, sensory, and mental impairments, and those with learning disabilities.

The post holder must at all times carry out their duties with regard to Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

To be aware of the responsibilities of all employees to maintain a safe and healthy environment for patients, visitors, and staff.

All post holders must adhere to the code of conduct on confidentiality and be aware of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.

This job description is intended only as a guide to the range of duties involved. The post holder will need to be flexible and adaptable in order to respond to other duties that may be required from time to time and the changes and developments within the Trust.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure of Barring Service to be made to check for any previous criminal convictions. Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust is committed to the fair treatment of its staff, potential staff, or users in line with its equal opportunities policy and policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders.