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Job summary

Main area
Speech & Language Therapy
Grade
Band 4
Contract
Fixed term: 12 months
Hours
  • Part time
  • Flexible working
22.5 hours per week
Job ref
203-FH865
Employer
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
SALT - SLT Assistants
Town
Warwick
Salary
£25,147 - £27,596 per annum
Closing
04/07/2024 23:59

Employer heading

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust logo

Children's Speech & Language Therapy Assistant

Band 4

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is one of the top performing organisations within the NHS. Our staff think this is a great place to work and we hope you will agree. We have recently been rated as 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following our most recent inspection.

We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the whole county. This includes our Community Teams in North Warwickshire.

We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity. Over 6000 people work for the Trust and many of them have been here a long time. People find they don’t need to go elsewhere to find a fulfilling career in healthcare. 

The first thing you will notice about us is how we take our values seriously. We believe that our values underpin everything we do. If you are interested in a role with us you need to make sure our values match your own.

Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are ‘Trusted to provide inclusive, safe, effective and compassionate care’. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn’t matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.

Probationary Period

All new staff to the Trust will be subject to a standard 6 month probationary period, the details of which will duly follow in your contract of employment.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is committed to creating and sustaining a positive and inclusive working environment for all our employees. Our aim is to ensure that employees are equally valued and respected and that our organisation is representative of all members of society. We define diversity as valuing everyone as an individual – we value our employees, job applicants, students, patients and visitors as people. This is reflected within our values of being Inclusive, Safe, Effective, Compassionate and Trusted.

Agile and Flexible Working

All our staff will have a work base. However the Trust operates as an Agile Working Team therefore staff may be working from home on a regular basis as required by the service. However, occasionally travel around Warwickshire and into your base will be required so access to your own transport would be helpful.

The Trust also welcome staff to work flexibly and we would welcome the conversation at interview regarding flexible working.

Staff Benefits

The Trust offer a wide range of additional benefits to staff. Anyone who joins us on a substantive basis can assess things such as the Lease Car Scheme, Electronics Scheme, Discounted Leisure and Travel, Cycle to work scheme amongst many others available. 

Car Parking

The Trust have recently completed the construction of a multi-storey car park at our Warwick Hospital site which has allowed us to reduce waiting times for car parking passes. 

To keep up to date on our latest recruitment activity follow us on twitter @swftrecruit or look us up on Facebook (Recruitment - South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust).


Job overview

We are looking for a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant with enthusiasm for and experience of working with children with Speech, Language, and Communication needs in a variety of settings.  The post-holder should be able to work as part of a team and with children of a variety of ages.

The post holder will be part of a supportive team including other speech and language therapy assistants and speech and language therapists.  The role is to follow treatment plans with children and parents/other professionals, make and disseminate resources, and support therapists with training.

The roles offer variety and travel over Warwickshire – car driver essential.

Main duties of the job

To provide support to Speech and Language Therapist in the delivery of services in a range of settings to children across Warwickshire.

To deliver packages of care to children across the county.

To develop high quality resources for speech and language therapy interventions.

To supervise less experienced staff.

Working for our organisation

Come and join a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC. South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as outstanding following our latest inspection by the CQC and we are recruiting new staff to come and help us improve even further.

We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the county. We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity.

Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are ‘Trusted to provide safe, effective and compassionate care’. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn’t matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

To independently undertake and timetable therapy programmes designed and directed by therapists with periodic liaison and direction as agreed.

To be responsible for the organisation and maintenance of therapy resources within the department.

To purchase and maintain technical equipment and library resources, including responsibility for inventories and booking systems.

To provide practical support with technical equipment for SLTs as required, including for meetings, interviews, etc.

To assist SLTs in the preparation and delivery of training packages to other SLTs, education staff, parents/ carers.

To assess children’s response to treatment.

To undertake day to day supervision of less experienced staff.

To organise and catalogue resources for the team.

To design and prepare therapy materials as required, using a variety of methods and materials, including computer-based programmes.

To be responsible for audio-visual equipment, including booking systems and maintenance.

To provide demonstration and training to SALTs in the use of audio-visual equipment.

Independently to prioritise and manage own workload in consultation with Team Co-ordinator.

Undertake individual therapy programmes with children designed by SLTs.

Undertake a range of group therapy programmes in clinic settings, either independently or supporting the therapist.

To demonstrate and advise educational settings on the use of communication support systems and strategies.

Manage children’s behaviour and motivate them to achieve positive therapy outcomes, including children who are challenging or have severe / complex difficulties.

Assess children’s response to treatment and judge when to progress therapy.

To notify SLT if programme is not going to plan and suggest modifications.

To maintain detailed written records of their observations of assessments and therapy sessions for feedback to SLTs.

To use well developed interpersonal skills in order to form productive relationships with families, recognising the need for and ensuring sensitivity and care where there may be emotional stress or there are potential barriers to communication.

To provide routine advice and support related to the therapy programme for parents as appropriate.

To video record / photograph and edit therapy sessions if required.

To design and prepare individualised therapy materials (eg. Books, charts, games), using IT, specific software and other media.

To undertake supervision of less appropriately experienced staff.

 

Professional

To maintain clinical and non-clinical standards and work within the policy frameworks laid down (e.g. N.H.S., Trust, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapist’s, Health Professionals Council) through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes.

To demonstrate ability to reflect on own practice, identify strengths and development needs and achieve goals set for personal and professional development.

To participate in the development of innovative clinical practice through member ship of “working teams”.

To disseminate newly acquired information to other team members.

To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate.

To participate in clinical supervision in line with Department and Trust policy.

To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible.

To be flexible to the demands of environments including unpredictable work patterns, deadlines and frequent interruptions.

To maintain highest standards of clinical records including up to date and accurate case notes, electronic data entry, recording and report writing in line with professional and Trust guidelines.

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

To be responsible for the security, care and transporting of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained – including equipment loaned to clients.

To organise suitable accommodation in clinics / schools.

To organise and transport treatment equipment required to work in locations.  These may be unwieldy / heavy / bulky.

To work within a wide range of locations requiring careful calculation of driving time according to traffic and weather conditions in planning efficient work schedules.

To work within a wide range of environments with differing demands and expectation requiring the ability to modify personal and social approaches as required by environment.

To maintain the concentration required despite distractions.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • IT skills.
  • Obtained an educational level of GCSE level A – C English and Maths or equivalent
  • Minimum Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care or equivalent such as Higher Apprenticeship or willingness to work towards attaining it
  • Care Certificate or willingness to work towards attaining it
Desirable criteria
  • PCIT/ACIT training.
  • Basic Makaton.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Significant experience of working with children with communication difficulties.
  • Significant Knowledge and experience of using IT software to create high quality resources
  • Experience of working with Speech & Language Therapists supporting children with a range of communication needs.
  • Experience of working with groups of children.
  • Experience of supervising other staff in the work place.
  • Experience of preparing activities and materials appropriate for children.
  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of child development
  • Demonstrate knowledge of behaviour management techniques
  • Experience of developing systems/processes for use by others
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of training others

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrate knowledge of speech and Language therapy procedures.
  • Demonstrate well-developed communication skills and an ability to match communication skills and content to the needs of the situation.
  • Demonstrate good time management and organisational skills.
  • Demonstrate good prioritisation skills.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the attributes for team and collaborative working
  • Demonstrate good presentation skills (written, verbal and using IT).
  • Demonstrate knowledge of verbal vs non-verbal communication.
  • Plan and prepare therapy activities to support the targets set by the therapist: group or individual
  • Feedback progress to the therapist accurately with a good understanding of the factors that may be affecting progress

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria
  • Excellent communication skills: able to adapt language to overcome barriers to understanding with children or families with communication difficulties.
  • Demonstrate excellent interpersonal abilities – observing, listening, diplomacy, sensitivity and empathy
  • Demonstrate problem solving and negotiation abilities taking account of others perspectives and expectations.
  • Demonstrate an ability to work independently.
  • Demonstrate a realistic sense of own limitations and professional development needs.
  • Demonstrate ability to motivate children.
  • Demonstrate adaptability and ability to work flexibly.
  • Monitors stock levels and will make necessary requests for purchases.
  • Ability to work to tight deadlines
  • Flexibility of working in a number of environments with a number of Speech and Language Therapists and other professionals
  • Supervises others carrying out programmes
  • Able to deal with distressing or emotional circumstances as they occur.

Other

Essential criteria
  • Car driver and current licence holder
  • Police Check
  • Pass Occupational Health Check
  • Able to carry equipment and adapt to a range of physical environments and demands.
  • Light physical effort required to sit on floor or small furniture in school and to carry equipment.
  • Frequent need for travel between settings

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderInvestors in People: GoldImproving working livesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Care quality commission - OutstandingStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into healthArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Elizabeth Roche
Job title
Team Leader for Preschool SALT (South
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01926 567139
Additional information

Available Monday - Wednesday and Friday 

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