AAC Consultant - Speech and Language Therapist

Ace Centre

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are looking for a qualified Speech & Language Therapist to join our friendly and supportive multidisciplinary team on a temporary basis to provide maternity cover for a minimum of 12 months. You will have the opportunity to work with children and adults who, due to physical and/or cognitive impairments, have difficulties communicating. You will work very closely with your colleagues to support these clients to identify their communication needs and meet their communication potential.

This post would suit a newly qualified Speech & Language Therapist, and whilst we would like you to have an interest in supporting people to communicate it is not essential that you have experience of working within this field as excellent supervision and training will be provided. You will bring your core Speech & Language Therapist skills and enthusiasm to this position to support the assessment process and in turn we will support you to develop your AAC knowledge and skills through a wide range of CPD opportunities.

Main duties of the job

You will work jointly with a least one other colleague to:

  • assess clients communication needs adopting a person-centred approach
  • identify appropriate AAC solutions to support their communication
  • install and set up recommending equipment
  • deliver training to clients and those who support them regarding AAC
  • provide general advice and information to wide audiences

About us

Ace Centre is a national charity offering a range of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services for people with physical and communication impairments and those who support them.

Ace Centre operates from 2 regional offices, one in Oldham, Greater Manchester and one in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Ace Centre has a contract with NHS England to deliver AAC services across both of these regions.

This role is based in the Abingdon office. You will support clients in a range of settings and locations across the Thames Valley & Wessex region of England and the role will involve travel and occasional overnight stays.

Ace Centre offers excellent CPD opportunities, a competitive salary and membership of a generous pension scheme with Greater Manchester Pension Fund.

Date posted

12 July 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£30,151 to £38,296 a year NJC Pay Scale SO1 - PO1 (depending on experience)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

B0026-23-0004

Job locations

5 Hitching Court

Blacklands Way

Abingdon

Oxfordshire

OX14 1RG


Job description

Job responsibilities

As an AAC Consultant, you will contribute to the development and delivery of Ace Centre's Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services as a member of a multidisciplinary team.

Your key tasks will include:

AAC assessment of individuals:

  • planning and preparing prior to the assessment
  • contributing to the assessment to reach appropriate recommendations
  • liaising with the team supporting the client at a local level (this may include families, carers, and other education, health and social care professionals)
  • completing the required assessment report and other documentation in a timely manner
  • contributing to any follow up action including organizing and setting up loan equipment/resources and providing training

Training:

  • assisting with the research and development of a variety of training activities planned by Ace Centre or requested of them by others
  • supporting the delivery of Ace Centre's training programme across a range of platforms to a variety of audiences

Advice and Information:

  • providingimpartial advice and up to date information relating to AAC to clients, families and professionals

Projects and Service Development:

  • contributing to projects and service reviews as required

Data Management:

  • maintaining comprehensive and confidential client records using a range of software and data management systems

You will be required to:

  • Maintain and develop your knowledge of AAC resources and strategies in order to deliver Ace Centre services
  • Travel across the geographical area covered by Ace Centre to deliver assessment and training activities
  • Have your own vehicle and business insurance
  • Perform some manual handling to safely transport equipment
  • Comply with all Ace Centre policies and procedures
  • Work occasional flexible hours, including overnight stays
  • Attend appropriate CPD opportunities as identified in your induction, supervisions and annual PDR reviews
  • Complete an enhanced DBS certificate

Job description

Job responsibilities

As an AAC Consultant, you will contribute to the development and delivery of Ace Centre's Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services as a member of a multidisciplinary team.

Your key tasks will include:

AAC assessment of individuals:

  • planning and preparing prior to the assessment
  • contributing to the assessment to reach appropriate recommendations
  • liaising with the team supporting the client at a local level (this may include families, carers, and other education, health and social care professionals)
  • completing the required assessment report and other documentation in a timely manner
  • contributing to any follow up action including organizing and setting up loan equipment/resources and providing training

Training:

  • assisting with the research and development of a variety of training activities planned by Ace Centre or requested of them by others
  • supporting the delivery of Ace Centre's training programme across a range of platforms to a variety of audiences

Advice and Information:

  • providingimpartial advice and up to date information relating to AAC to clients, families and professionals

Projects and Service Development:

  • contributing to projects and service reviews as required

Data Management:

  • maintaining comprehensive and confidential client records using a range of software and data management systems

You will be required to:

  • Maintain and develop your knowledge of AAC resources and strategies in order to deliver Ace Centre services
  • Travel across the geographical area covered by Ace Centre to deliver assessment and training activities
  • Have your own vehicle and business insurance
  • Perform some manual handling to safely transport equipment
  • Comply with all Ace Centre policies and procedures
  • Work occasional flexible hours, including overnight stays
  • Attend appropriate CPD opportunities as identified in your induction, supervisions and annual PDR reviews
  • Complete an enhanced DBS certificate

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Professional Degree or equivalent.
  • HCPC or equivalent professional registration.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Essential

  • Able to identify the needs of individuals with disabilities within a multidisciplinary assessment team context.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Familiar with the use of ICT, including MS Office.

Desirable

  • Able to develop and deliver training appropriate to a variety of audiences in a range of settings.

Personal attributes

Essential

  • Empathy/understanding with Ace Centre client group.
  • Able to work flexibly when required.
  • Car driver with own use of own car and appropriate business insurance.

Experience

Desirable

  • Experience of working with individuals with physical and/or communication disabilities, their families and professionals who support them.
  • Experience of delivering AAC assessment, training, advice and information services.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Professional Degree or equivalent.
  • HCPC or equivalent professional registration.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Essential

  • Able to identify the needs of individuals with disabilities within a multidisciplinary assessment team context.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Familiar with the use of ICT, including MS Office.

Desirable

  • Able to develop and deliver training appropriate to a variety of audiences in a range of settings.

Personal attributes

Essential

  • Empathy/understanding with Ace Centre client group.
  • Able to work flexibly when required.
  • Car driver with own use of own car and appropriate business insurance.

Experience

Desirable

  • Experience of working with individuals with physical and/or communication disabilities, their families and professionals who support them.
  • Experience of delivering AAC assessment, training, advice and information services.

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).

Additional information

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

Ace Centre

Address

5 Hitching Court

Blacklands Way

Abingdon

Oxfordshire

OX14 1RG


Employer's website

https://acecentre.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Ace Centre

Address

5 Hitching Court

Blacklands Way

Abingdon

Oxfordshire

OX14 1RG


Employer's website

https://acecentre.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

HR Manager

Rachel Thwaite

rthwaite@acecentre.org.uk

01613580151

Date posted

12 July 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£30,151 to £38,296 a year NJC Pay Scale SO1 - PO1 (depending on experience)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

B0026-23-0004

Job locations

5 Hitching Court

Blacklands Way

Abingdon

Oxfordshire

OX14 1RG


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