Job responsibilities
The postholder will have specialist knowledge of childrens early speech language and communication development. In addition, the postholder will have significant experience of
working with young children and their families
delivering training to early years practitioners
working collaboratively and as part of a team
delivering a project
The postholder will
Use specialist knowledge and experience relating to childrens early speech, language and communication development and disorder to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence of early years practitioners
Use highly developed interpersonal skills to facilitate effective joint working so that the needs of practitioners, children and families are central to the implementation of the programme
Adapt communication to be sensitive to the varying level of skills and needs of staff and parents and be able to adapt to meet those needs
Measurable Result Areas
To take a lead in implementing, reviewing and delivering the Time to Talk programme
To take a lead in co-ordinating, delivering and evaluating training
To support early years settings to engage parents, model effective practice, demonstrate specific activities, advise on developing the environment, support planning and programme implementation and facilitate continuous professional development
To improve the practice and provision for supporting young childrens language development in early years settings, including providing tools and enhancing the leadership and management of speech, language and communication needs in those settings
to identify and respond to practitioners training needs and develop practitioner skills, creating sustainable improvements in the early years settings as commissioned
To build on existing effective practice and enhance capability for early language expertise in the early years settings
To support the early years practitioners in their relationships with staff and parents to enable them to share good practice
To provide information about speech language and communication for families of children within early years settings
To signpost practitioners and families to sources of support for speech, language and communication development
To support practitioners and parents to refer children in need of speech and language therapy to the local SLT service as appropriate
To engage families who do not currently access services that may be of benefit to them
To collect and analyse data to monitor the impact and effectiveness of the Time to Talk strategy.
To promote awareness of the role and benefits of SLT within early years settings and the local community
To promote the time to talk programme and engage with practitioners and families through social media including providing information and resources in accessible formats
To work within infection control guidelines to ensure that therapy/treatment/care does not constitute a risk of infection to the healthcare professional, to the client or to any persons visiting working in Trust
To work independently managing own workload efficiently and effectively
Communications and Working Relationships
To work in partnership with speech and language therapy colleagues to support practitioners and measure impact in centres and settings
To work as part of the SLT team to develop services for very young children and their families
Act as an integral member of the preschool team, engaging in multi-agency working and contributing to planning, implementation and evaluation of team objectives
Contribute as part of the pre-school team to strategic planning for childrens speech and language therapy which will include new and innovative ways of working in order to meet team objectives
To form productive relationships with settings and work alongside the early years practitioners to improve the knowledge and skills of the workforce in supporting childrens early language development
To deliver services in partnership with staff from other agencies
To attend multi-agency forums as required by the team lead
To work with a variety of professionals (often from very diverse backgrounds/with differing philosophies) in order to achieve seamless and co-ordinated service provision
Evaluation and Research
To audit existing practitioner competence in supporting childrens speech, language and communication
To support targeted early years settings to audit their existing language provision
To support the screening of childrens language
To collect, analyse, present and disseminate information demonstrating impact and effectiveness of the Time to Talk training
To maintain up to date specialist knowledge of research and policy which influences early years practise including universal and targeted provision
To prepare and present information to stakeholders locally and nationally to demonstrate impact and sustainability, including formal presentations to large groups
To utilise theory, evidence-based literature and research to support good practice. This involves contact with other areas delivering a similar approach and sharing of good practice as appropriate
Teaching/Training/Support
To use highly specialised skills, knowledge and experience of speech, language and communication development and disorders to:
Provide consultation for professionals and other staff working with children with regard to communication skills development
Identify the training needs of agencies/professionals working in early years settings and develop and deliver a training plan to meet those needs
Produce information materials for families and other professionals/agencies
To use highly developed interpersonal skills to manage group dynamics including challenging and sensitive situations
To provide professional and clinical teaching for SLT students
To provide support for SLT colleagues to jointly deliver Time to Talk training
To share new developments, evidence and research in the area of early years and universal/ targeted provision with the childrens SLT team and practitioners
To plan and deliver annual conference for early years practitioners to showcase best local practice as part of the sustainability element of Time to Talk
