Job summary
The Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service aims to maximise the potential of children to communicate in the environments and languages in which they need to function, including related impairments of eating and drinking.
We are looking to recruit a band 2 Speech and Language Therapy Assistant (SLTA) to support us in a range of clinical and administrative tasks.
The role requires experience of working with children and their families, good organisational skills and well-developed IT skills . The post holder needs excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to work effectively and competently with children, their families and other professionals.
To provide support to children and their families who have been referred to the Children's SLT Service, working alongside a Speech and Language Therapist. The service supports children with a range of SLCN and social communication difficulties, including Autism. Support may be for individual children and their families or within groups and is under the direct supervision of a qualified speech and Language Therapist.
A full UK driving license and vehicle for business use is required for this post; however reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled individuals in line with the Equality Act 2010.
Main duties of the job
The role of a Speech and Language Therapy assistant is very varied. The duties include:
- Being part of the SLT team providing support to children with speech, language and communication difficulties. This will include both verbal and non-verbal children with social communication difficulties and Autism. We are creating innovative ways to support families, including 'online' training and using video calls for families and schools
- Assisting at our drop-in sessions, welcoming families before they speak to an SLT and collating feedback afterwards
- To provide support to an SLT on home visits, where there is complexity relating to safeguarding or family circumstances
- To prepare equipment and produce resources as requested by the SLT, to agreed departmental standards and sensitive to all issues of diversity
- To carry out other administrative duties related to clinical work, such as photocopying, collating materials, data entry, room bookings and sending out letter
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £26.40 (standard) or £54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies.
About us
#TeamNottsHC comprises over 11,000 dedicated colleagues who #MakeADifference every day. We deliver intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic, and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire. Our care is provided from over 200 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings, and secure environments, including prisons.
We are one of the largest mental health and community Trusts in the East Midlands and one of Nottinghamshire's biggest employers. We also host national and regional services, such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.
We offer a variety of employee-led staff networks, including Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) groups, the Green Champions network, the Freedom to Speak Up network, the Health and Wellbeing Champions network, and the Menopause Champions network. These networks play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.
The health and wellbeing of colleagues is a top priority. We invest significantly in this through our in-house occupational health and staff counselling services, supported by a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team.
The Trust is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, with a specialised Energy and Environmental team working to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, enhance our environmental performance, and achieve our net-zero commitment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will join our well established assistant team , supported by Speech and Language Therapists from the Locality and Specialist teams.
The role includes both working with children and families and non clinical duties as detailed below:
Clinical Practice
- To assist speech and language therapists in their delivery of appropriate packages of care in a variety of settings. This will include support for children who may be verbal or pre-verbal with social communication difficulties or Autism.
- To observe children in a range of settings and report observations to the Speech and Language Therapist
- Contribute to the planning of group and individual therapy programmes.
- To order supplies for own use.
- To cost and order SLT department equipment as required with the team leader. Monitoring stock levels and ordering appropriately using own initiative.
- To work collaboratively as part of multi-disciplinary teams ensuring a well-coordinated care plan
Communication resources / equipment
- To prepare equipment and produce resources as requested by the SLT, to agreed departmental standards and sensitive to all issues of diversity
- To carry out other administrative duties related to clinical work, such as photocopying, collating materials, data entry and sending out letters
- To be responsible for communication equipment i.e. maintenance, including arranging repairs, booking out system and cleaning.
Policies and procedures
- To work within defined departmental protocols/policies/ procedures and professional code of conduct
- To maintain clinical and administrative records in accordance to team and Trust standards.
Education and development
- To provide support to families under the direct supervision of an SLT
- To support the planned induction of new SLT assistants
- To support the qualified speech and Language Therapist in the delivery of staff training
Health and Safety
- Responsibility for the safe use of equipment and awareness of risk to self, client and carers.
- To work within agreed Trust Health and Safety policies and procedures
- To undertake clinical governance/audit projects within service as agreed with the SLT team
- To demonstrate own learning, training and development
Please note that this post does not meet the pay level required for a Skilled worker visa.
Successful applicants with no prior NHS experience would normally be placed at the bottom of the band in line with Agenda for Change. This salary is below the minimum salary required for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker / Health & Care visa. In these circumstances the Trust would not, therefore, be able to sponsor for a Skilled Worker / Health & Care visa.
Applicants requiring a Skilled Worker Visa can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship against the relevant criteria here https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will join our well established assistant team , supported by Speech and Language Therapists from the Locality and Specialist teams.
The role includes both working with children and families and non clinical duties as detailed below:
Clinical Practice
- To assist speech and language therapists in their delivery of appropriate packages of care in a variety of settings. This will include support for children who may be verbal or pre-verbal with social communication difficulties or Autism.
- To observe children in a range of settings and report observations to the Speech and Language Therapist
- Contribute to the planning of group and individual therapy programmes.
- To order supplies for own use.
- To cost and order SLT department equipment as required with the team leader. Monitoring stock levels and ordering appropriately using own initiative.
- To work collaboratively as part of multi-disciplinary teams ensuring a well-coordinated care plan
Communication resources / equipment
- To prepare equipment and produce resources as requested by the SLT, to agreed departmental standards and sensitive to all issues of diversity
- To carry out other administrative duties related to clinical work, such as photocopying, collating materials, data entry and sending out letters
- To be responsible for communication equipment i.e. maintenance, including arranging repairs, booking out system and cleaning.
Policies and procedures
- To work within defined departmental protocols/policies/ procedures and professional code of conduct
- To maintain clinical and administrative records in accordance to team and Trust standards.
Education and development
- To provide support to families under the direct supervision of an SLT
- To support the planned induction of new SLT assistants
- To support the qualified speech and Language Therapist in the delivery of staff training
Health and Safety
- Responsibility for the safe use of equipment and awareness of risk to self, client and carers.
- To work within agreed Trust Health and Safety policies and procedures
- To undertake clinical governance/audit projects within service as agreed with the SLT team
- To demonstrate own learning, training and development
Please note that this post does not meet the pay level required for a Skilled worker visa.
Successful applicants with no prior NHS experience would normally be placed at the bottom of the band in line with Agenda for Change. This salary is below the minimum salary required for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker / Health & Care visa. In these circumstances the Trust would not, therefore, be able to sponsor for a Skilled Worker / Health & Care visa.
Applicants requiring a Skilled Worker Visa can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship against the relevant criteria here https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 2 or equivalent experience in health or social care.
- General education to GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English.
Training
Essential
- Evidence of successful completion of induction and short courses related to working with children.
- Evidence of relevant courses or personal development in the area of communication.
Desirable
- Additional training related to supporting children's communication difficulties e.g. Makaton, PECS.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children with additional needs.
- Experience of working with children and their families.
- Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team or teams.
Desirable
- Experience of working with children with Speech Language and Communication Needs (SLCN).
- Experience of working within therapy services.
- Experience of working within the NHS.
Skills
Essential
- Able to work independently to plan, prioritise and organise workload.
- IT skills and experience.
- Excellent communication skills - spoken and written Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills.
- Good organisational skills.
- Ability to recognise own limits.
- Reliable, motivated and flexible.
Values and Behaviours
Essential
- All colleagues are expected to demonstrate that they act in line with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Values: Trust Honesty Respect Compassion Teamwork
- All colleagues are expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and how it applies to their role. The Trust's expectations are highlighted within our EDI Policy, and associated EDI and Human Rights legislation
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of normal child development (including speech and language development).
- Knowledge of a range of Speech, language and communication difficulties.
- Awareness of the impact communication difficulties may have on the ability of children to function in their every-day life.
Desirable
- Knowledge of supporting communication difficulties, including using signs and symbols.
Physical requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel between locations.
- Working frequently on the floor.
- Has the ability to perform the full range of duties.
Contractual requirements
Essential
- A full UK driving license and vehicle for business use is required for this post; however reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled individuals in line with the Equality Act 2010.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 2 or equivalent experience in health or social care.
- General education to GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English.
Training
Essential
- Evidence of successful completion of induction and short courses related to working with children.
- Evidence of relevant courses or personal development in the area of communication.
Desirable
- Additional training related to supporting children's communication difficulties e.g. Makaton, PECS.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children with additional needs.
- Experience of working with children and their families.
- Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team or teams.
Desirable
- Experience of working with children with Speech Language and Communication Needs (SLCN).
- Experience of working within therapy services.
- Experience of working within the NHS.
Skills
Essential
- Able to work independently to plan, prioritise and organise workload.
- IT skills and experience.
- Excellent communication skills - spoken and written Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills.
- Good organisational skills.
- Ability to recognise own limits.
- Reliable, motivated and flexible.
Values and Behaviours
Essential
- All colleagues are expected to demonstrate that they act in line with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Values: Trust Honesty Respect Compassion Teamwork
- All colleagues are expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and how it applies to their role. The Trust's expectations are highlighted within our EDI Policy, and associated EDI and Human Rights legislation
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of normal child development (including speech and language development).
- Knowledge of a range of Speech, language and communication difficulties.
- Awareness of the impact communication difficulties may have on the ability of children to function in their every-day life.
Desirable
- Knowledge of supporting communication difficulties, including using signs and symbols.
Physical requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel between locations.
- Working frequently on the floor.
- Has the ability to perform the full range of duties.
Contractual requirements
Essential
- A full UK driving license and vehicle for business use is required for this post; however reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled individuals in line with the Equality Act 2010.
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.
