Job summary
Due to additional funding, Camden Language and Communication Service (CLCS) are pleased to be able to advertise for a highly skilled and innovative speech and language therapist with extensive experience, to join our unique jointly commissioned team of speech and language therapists and specialist language and communication teachers. This post is offered as a full-time permanent post. People seeking a part-time pattern of working are also very welcome to apply.
As well as providing highly specialist clinical work, the post holder will also be responsible for inducting, supervising, supporting and directing less experienced SLTs as well as supporting students on placement. We welcome applications from therapists who would like to take on an active role in service development and training.
CLCS are based in a large, light modern office in Netley campus near Euston and Warren Street stations. All maintained Camden Primary schools have access to this team who provide support at universal, targeted and specialist levels. Speech and language therapists are sited with their educational colleagues to enable continuity and coordinated support. CLCS is dedicated to developing a sustainable and effective service model that puts effectiveness and impact as the focus for client contact. We support children with Education and Health Care Plans (EHCPs), Exceptional Needs Grants (ENGs) and also those without additional funding.
Main duties of the job
As well as providing highly specialist clinical work, the post holder will also be responsible for supervising colleagues, and supporting the Clinical Coordinator(s) to operationally manage the speech and language therapy team and respond to key priorities and team targets.
This post is diverse, interesting and flexible. It is likely that you may be working over different settings throughout the week, so adaptability is important.
Camden Children's Speech and Language Therapy team are a well-established service with a good reputation for providing a quality service to our clients alongside a friendly team and workplace. The Camden Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service is part of the wider Speech and Language Therapy Service across Camden, Islington, Haringey and Barnet - managed by Whittington Health. Our service places a strong emphasis on personal and professional development, providing regular supervision and support.
About us
Camden is a central London borough that has a culturally and socially diverse population, including vulnerable populations that require additional support and understanding. It is a vibrant place to work, with access to great amenities, transport links and links with the Speech and Language Therapy Departments at City University and University College London.
Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone.
Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief.
The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.
Job description
Job responsibilities
CLINICAL
- To demonstrate highly specialist clinical expertise in the assessment, treatment and management of speech, language and communication difficulties in children.
- To take a clinical lead as required within this within the team
- To demonstrate highly specialist knowledge in these clinical areas underpinned by current evidence based practice and outcome measures.
- To make appropriate diagnoses and highly specialist clinical decisions on evidence from assessment of complex cases, including differential diagnoses.
- To use / apply specialist knowledge to inform sound clinical judgements/decision making for case management, developing clear care plans based on best practice.
- To demonstrate clinical effectiveness reflecting on evidence based practice and outcome measures.
- To communicate complex condition related information from assessment to carers, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions, demonstrating empathy and ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist.
- To work closely with clients, carers and families, in order to agree plan of management.
- To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible
- To demonstrate excellent communication skills.
- To demonstrate skills in motivating clients and /or carers to engage in the therapeutic process.
- To employ counselling skills with children, carers/families with highly complex needs.
- To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of children with special and complex needs and their carers, in particular when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of the clients difficulties and implications of the same.
- To demonstrate the ability to manage children with challenging or socially inappropriate behaviours including the application of appropriate management strategies.
- To monitor and review the progress of children and young people against the targets set and agreed, and to modify targets as appropriate.
- To be aware of legal requirements relating to the provision of a speech and language therapy service.
- To maintain up to date and accurate case notes and write reports reflecting highly specialist knowledge, ensuring that they meet departmental standards and are in line with local Trust Policy, and RCSLT/HCPC professional standards.
- To demonstrate knowledge of current policies and practice in the education and health sector and incorporate these into the model of working as appropriate.
- To manage and prioritise a specialist and non-specialist caseload independently, advising line manager on issues of service delivery including shortfall, service pressures etc.
- To contribute to multi-agency assessment procedures as required, including statutory educational assessment.
- To demonstrate good negotiation skills across a range of issues and situations, recognising and resolving potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs.
- To ensure that children are referred to other services as appropriate.
- To demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the issues associated with clinical governance and their application to professional practice. This will include compliance with / adherence to, and implementation of service and service area and Trust policies, National and Local guidelines and RCSLT Professional and Clinical and Guidelines.
- To develop a working knowledge of relevant procedures including: Safeguarding Children, SEN procedures, Working with Vulnerable Adults and other legal frameworks.
- To contribute to the local Trusts systems of clinical governance, developing innovations in areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness in collaboration with others.
- To be accountable for professional action and recognising professional boundaries, and working within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct.
- To work independently accessing appraisal within an Individual Performance Framework at pre-determined intervals.
- To have due regard for personal safety and that of children /carers, adhering to moving and handling regulations, restraining policies and ensure the safe positioning of self and others.
- To reflect and adhere to infection control and health and safety guidelines in order to deal with specific issues related to client contact: for example exposure to body fluids, infectious conditions, encountered on a daily basis.
- To contribute to the function of clinical teams both multi disciplinary and uni disciplinary by discussing own and others input around clients needs, ensuring a well-co-ordinated care plan.
- To provide advice and second opinions to non-specialists and other specialists/ professionals within clinical field, regarding the management and care of patients/clients with complex needs.
- To provide clinical supervision and support and advice to less experienced speech and language therapists, and to assistants and volunteers.
- To provide leadership within appropriate specialist area(s).
- To assume delegated tasks as requested by line manager, including participation in working groups, policy development groups related to clinical specialism.
- To carry out administrative duties including activity data collection, updating this accurately and regularly, ensuring the provision of such information promptly within local Trust guidelines.
- To maintain up to date records of annual leave and other absence.
- To participate in the clinical education of students, undertaking assessment of the placement as appropriate, and attending teaching sessions and meetings organised by the education establishments.
- To initiate and undertake Research/Clinical Governance /audit projects within area of expertise as required by the Speech and Language Therapy Services Manager, which may include a change in workplace.
Job description
Job responsibilities
CLINICAL
- To demonstrate highly specialist clinical expertise in the assessment, treatment and management of speech, language and communication difficulties in children.
- To take a clinical lead as required within this within the team
- To demonstrate highly specialist knowledge in these clinical areas underpinned by current evidence based practice and outcome measures.
- To make appropriate diagnoses and highly specialist clinical decisions on evidence from assessment of complex cases, including differential diagnoses.
- To use / apply specialist knowledge to inform sound clinical judgements/decision making for case management, developing clear care plans based on best practice.
- To demonstrate clinical effectiveness reflecting on evidence based practice and outcome measures.
- To communicate complex condition related information from assessment to carers, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions, demonstrating empathy and ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist.
- To work closely with clients, carers and families, in order to agree plan of management.
- To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible
- To demonstrate excellent communication skills.
- To demonstrate skills in motivating clients and /or carers to engage in the therapeutic process.
- To employ counselling skills with children, carers/families with highly complex needs.
- To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of children with special and complex needs and their carers, in particular when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of the clients difficulties and implications of the same.
- To demonstrate the ability to manage children with challenging or socially inappropriate behaviours including the application of appropriate management strategies.
- To monitor and review the progress of children and young people against the targets set and agreed, and to modify targets as appropriate.
- To be aware of legal requirements relating to the provision of a speech and language therapy service.
- To maintain up to date and accurate case notes and write reports reflecting highly specialist knowledge, ensuring that they meet departmental standards and are in line with local Trust Policy, and RCSLT/HCPC professional standards.
- To demonstrate knowledge of current policies and practice in the education and health sector and incorporate these into the model of working as appropriate.
- To manage and prioritise a specialist and non-specialist caseload independently, advising line manager on issues of service delivery including shortfall, service pressures etc.
- To contribute to multi-agency assessment procedures as required, including statutory educational assessment.
- To demonstrate good negotiation skills across a range of issues and situations, recognising and resolving potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs.
- To ensure that children are referred to other services as appropriate.
- To demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the issues associated with clinical governance and their application to professional practice. This will include compliance with / adherence to, and implementation of service and service area and Trust policies, National and Local guidelines and RCSLT Professional and Clinical and Guidelines.
- To develop a working knowledge of relevant procedures including: Safeguarding Children, SEN procedures, Working with Vulnerable Adults and other legal frameworks.
- To contribute to the local Trusts systems of clinical governance, developing innovations in areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness in collaboration with others.
- To be accountable for professional action and recognising professional boundaries, and working within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct.
- To work independently accessing appraisal within an Individual Performance Framework at pre-determined intervals.
- To have due regard for personal safety and that of children /carers, adhering to moving and handling regulations, restraining policies and ensure the safe positioning of self and others.
- To reflect and adhere to infection control and health and safety guidelines in order to deal with specific issues related to client contact: for example exposure to body fluids, infectious conditions, encountered on a daily basis.
- To contribute to the function of clinical teams both multi disciplinary and uni disciplinary by discussing own and others input around clients needs, ensuring a well-co-ordinated care plan.
- To provide advice and second opinions to non-specialists and other specialists/ professionals within clinical field, regarding the management and care of patients/clients with complex needs.
- To provide clinical supervision and support and advice to less experienced speech and language therapists, and to assistants and volunteers.
- To provide leadership within appropriate specialist area(s).
- To assume delegated tasks as requested by line manager, including participation in working groups, policy development groups related to clinical specialism.
- To carry out administrative duties including activity data collection, updating this accurately and regularly, ensuring the provision of such information promptly within local Trust guidelines.
- To maintain up to date records of annual leave and other absence.
- To participate in the clinical education of students, undertaking assessment of the placement as appropriate, and attending teaching sessions and meetings organised by the education establishments.
- To initiate and undertake Research/Clinical Governance /audit projects within area of expertise as required by the Speech and Language Therapy Services Manager, which may include a change in workplace.
Person Specification
Qualifications/training
Essential
- BSc. Speech Path or Equivalent (including Dip. CST)
- HPC licence to practise, and Registered member of RCSLT
Desirable
- Successful completion of specialist/expert short courses relevant to field including Makaton, AAC, adult-child interaction, Elklan, Solution focussed brief therapy (SFBT)
- Basic qualitative/quantitative research methodologies
- Basic counselling
- Student supervisions and training
Previous Experience
Essential
- Of working at a specialist level in paediatrics
- Delivering highly specialist training to a range of audiences
- Relevant experience at a highly specialist level
Desirable
- Carrying out evidence based research projects
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Flexibility
- Ability to reflect on practice
- Ability to take majority of leave in school holidays
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Communicate complex, sensitive information
- Make accurate phonetic/phonemic transcription of spoken language
- Critically evaluate published research within a specific area of clinical expertise
- Skills in delivering presentations and training, including basic adaptations to presentation/training style for a range of audiences
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Of a range of highly specialist assessment tools and procedures to evaluate communication, speech & language skills in children
- Knowledge of the key characteristics leading a highly specialist differential diagnosis
- The application of highly specialist knowledge of local cultural, linguistic & demographic factors to the management of a clinically complex caseload
- Of selecting, setting & evaluating highly specialist treatment goals
- Of a highly specialist range of therapeutic interventions relevant to primary school aged children with a wide range of speech, language and communication needs demonstrating the evidence base for these approaches
- Detailed knowledge of multi-disciplinary team approaches
- Of approaches to mentoring, advising, supporting and clinically supervising less experienced SLTs and support staff
- Good understanding of clinical governance principles
Desirable
- Knowledge and/or experience of undertaking qualitative & quantitative research
- Of the key elements of writing an action research protocol/clinical audit
- Development and implementation of short term clinically based projects
- Advanced approaches to support clients & carers with challenging behaviour, mental health needs or in high levels of distress
Person Specification
Qualifications/training
Essential
- BSc. Speech Path or Equivalent (including Dip. CST)
- HPC licence to practise, and Registered member of RCSLT
Desirable
- Successful completion of specialist/expert short courses relevant to field including Makaton, AAC, adult-child interaction, Elklan, Solution focussed brief therapy (SFBT)
- Basic qualitative/quantitative research methodologies
- Basic counselling
- Student supervisions and training
Previous Experience
Essential
- Of working at a specialist level in paediatrics
- Delivering highly specialist training to a range of audiences
- Relevant experience at a highly specialist level
Desirable
- Carrying out evidence based research projects
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Flexibility
- Ability to reflect on practice
- Ability to take majority of leave in school holidays
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Communicate complex, sensitive information
- Make accurate phonetic/phonemic transcription of spoken language
- Critically evaluate published research within a specific area of clinical expertise
- Skills in delivering presentations and training, including basic adaptations to presentation/training style for a range of audiences
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Of a range of highly specialist assessment tools and procedures to evaluate communication, speech & language skills in children
- Knowledge of the key characteristics leading a highly specialist differential diagnosis
- The application of highly specialist knowledge of local cultural, linguistic & demographic factors to the management of a clinically complex caseload
- Of selecting, setting & evaluating highly specialist treatment goals
- Of a highly specialist range of therapeutic interventions relevant to primary school aged children with a wide range of speech, language and communication needs demonstrating the evidence base for these approaches
- Detailed knowledge of multi-disciplinary team approaches
- Of approaches to mentoring, advising, supporting and clinically supervising less experienced SLTs and support staff
- Good understanding of clinical governance principles
Desirable
- Knowledge and/or experience of undertaking qualitative & quantitative research
- Of the key elements of writing an action research protocol/clinical audit
- Development and implementation of short term clinically based projects
- Advanced approaches to support clients & carers with challenging behaviour, mental health needs or in high levels of distress
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.
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.
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).
