Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a highly innovative and experienced Speech and Language Therapist to work in the Camden with pre-school children. The post holder will be responsible for delivering a comprehensive and highly specialist therapy service to children with complex needs in Camden. This service provides input for children 0-18yrs within Camden MOSAIC which includes the Child Development Team, Feeding Clinic and the Camden Community Dysphagia Outreach team.
The post holder will have highly specialist knowledge in the multi-disciplinary approach to the assessment, diagnosis and therapy with effective communication outcomes for children and young people with complex needs (autism, intellectual disability and physical needs). In addition, the post holder will be knowledgeable and experienced in assessing, treating and managing children and young people who have eating and drinking difficulties including dysphagia.
The post is for 0.8 WTE although full time work can be considered please phone manager to discuss further. Furthermore, if there are any parts of the job that do not suit your area of interest or experience please do not hesitate to contact the manager to discuss this further. Based in Camden; an inner-London borough which is vibrant and diverse. You will be working alongside a range of professionals including Dieticians, Paediatricians, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Family Support Workers and Health Visiting.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for the assessment and management of speech, language, and communication needs in the pre-school population.
The post holder will also provide formal supervision to colleagues and lead on developing training and intervention packages for this age group.
The post holder will contribute to autism assessments as part of an MDT.
The post holder will contribute to EHC plans.
The post holder will coordinate the feeding clinic for children with sensory and behavioural feeding needs.
The post holder will coordinate the Camden Community Dysphagia Outreach service and Feeding.
About us
Camden is part of Whittington Health, an Integrated Care Organisation (ICO) which includes Islington community services, Haringey community services, Camden speech and language therapy services, Barnet children's integrated therapies, and Whittington hospital services.
As a service we offer:o a team of friendly, supportive colleagueso a base with opportunities for frequent contact with other speech and language therapistso a well developed support, supervision and appraisal structureo extensive opportunities for continuing professional developmento a full programme of inductiono season ticket loan scheme
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 Trustbelieves 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
- To carry a personal caseload and/or contribute to MDT therapy package such as group therapy sessions or parent education sessions, maintaining a high level of professional competence and demonstrating highly specialist clinical expertise in the assessment, treatment and management of speech, language and communication problems associated with complex needs.
- To work as part of MDT to complete assessment of social communication needs via Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and/or Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI) and have good understanding of current diagnostic framework for a range of complex needs (DSM-5 criteria)
- To monitor and review the progress of children on the caseload and facilitate the development or modification of packages of care/targets as appropriate using evaluation/outcome measurement tools.
- To work effectively as part of the MDT with clients, carers, and colleagues around individual case management, providing specialist advice, guidance and support as necessary and involving them in the planning and prioritisation of care wherever possible.
- To reflect on clinical practice; adequately identifying strengths & needs of clients, reviewing their response to therapy and providing evidence of expert clinical judgement including in cases which are complex and challenging.
- To have completed addition training around the needs of children with dysphagia and to have at least one year experience of assessment/treatment of children with eating and drinking difficulties in order to communicate and deliver a highly effective service to children with complex needs.
- To be able to analyse conflicting information and provide clear guidance and detailed reports on children seen.
- To promote awareness about speech and language therapy in Camden.
- To facilitate and support nursery/schools and families in providing appropriate communication environments to develop childrens language and interaction skills.
- To take a clinical lead as required within the team
- To demonstrate highly specialist knowledge and clinical effectiveness 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 work closely with clients, carers and families, with empathy, tact, reassurance and active listening to fully discuss assessment results, treatment options, and agree a plan of management.
- To communicate complex information to carers, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions, ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist.
- 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 undertake home visits, as necessary, in compliance with Home Visiting/ Lone Working Safety Policy.
- To contribute to clinical teams by discussing own and others input, ensuring a well-co-ordinated care plan that reflects the holistic needs of the child and their parents/carers.
- To discuss diagnosis and potential outcomes with parents/carers and work collaboratively in decision making regarding referral on and intervention
- 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 liaise regularly with Senior Management within the service and with the MDT team to agree and review effective service delivery to children and young people with complex needs.
- 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 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 attend further training as necessary to maintain and further develop the skill and knowledge required of a highly specialist SLT.
- To keep up to date with current clinical developments through reading, attendance at courses, meetings and Clinical Excellence Networks (CENs).
- To provide training to SLTs developing a specialism in Complex Needs and those working with some children with special needs on their caseload.
- To manage and prioritise a 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 a Professional Development Plan (PDP) 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 provide advice and second opinions to non-specialists and other specialists/ professionals within clinical field, regarding the management and care of children 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.
- To be able to be flexible within the service for Whittington Childrens Speech and Language Service and as required by the Speech and Language Therapy Services Manager, this may include a change in workplace.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To carry a personal caseload and/or contribute to MDT therapy package such as group therapy sessions or parent education sessions, maintaining a high level of professional competence and demonstrating highly specialist clinical expertise in the assessment, treatment and management of speech, language and communication problems associated with complex needs.
- To work as part of MDT to complete assessment of social communication needs via Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and/or Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI) and have good understanding of current diagnostic framework for a range of complex needs (DSM-5 criteria)
- To monitor and review the progress of children on the caseload and facilitate the development or modification of packages of care/targets as appropriate using evaluation/outcome measurement tools.
- To work effectively as part of the MDT with clients, carers, and colleagues around individual case management, providing specialist advice, guidance and support as necessary and involving them in the planning and prioritisation of care wherever possible.
- To reflect on clinical practice; adequately identifying strengths & needs of clients, reviewing their response to therapy and providing evidence of expert clinical judgement including in cases which are complex and challenging.
- To have completed addition training around the needs of children with dysphagia and to have at least one year experience of assessment/treatment of children with eating and drinking difficulties in order to communicate and deliver a highly effective service to children with complex needs.
- To be able to analyse conflicting information and provide clear guidance and detailed reports on children seen.
- To promote awareness about speech and language therapy in Camden.
- To facilitate and support nursery/schools and families in providing appropriate communication environments to develop childrens language and interaction skills.
- To take a clinical lead as required within the team
- To demonstrate highly specialist knowledge and clinical effectiveness 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 work closely with clients, carers and families, with empathy, tact, reassurance and active listening to fully discuss assessment results, treatment options, and agree a plan of management.
- To communicate complex information to carers, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions, ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist.
- 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 undertake home visits, as necessary, in compliance with Home Visiting/ Lone Working Safety Policy.
- To contribute to clinical teams by discussing own and others input, ensuring a well-co-ordinated care plan that reflects the holistic needs of the child and their parents/carers.
- To discuss diagnosis and potential outcomes with parents/carers and work collaboratively in decision making regarding referral on and intervention
- 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 liaise regularly with Senior Management within the service and with the MDT team to agree and review effective service delivery to children and young people with complex needs.
- 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 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 attend further training as necessary to maintain and further develop the skill and knowledge required of a highly specialist SLT.
- To keep up to date with current clinical developments through reading, attendance at courses, meetings and Clinical Excellence Networks (CENs).
- To provide training to SLTs developing a specialism in Complex Needs and those working with some children with special needs on their caseload.
- To manage and prioritise a 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 a Professional Development Plan (PDP) 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 provide advice and second opinions to non-specialists and other specialists/ professionals within clinical field, regarding the management and care of children 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.
- To be able to be flexible within the service for Whittington Childrens Speech and Language Service and as required by the Speech and Language Therapy Services Manager, this may include a change in workplace.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc. Speech Path or equivalent
- HPC licence to practise, and eligible for the full RCSLT register
- Evidence of successful completion of a range of specialist short courses and other CPD in specialist area (e.g., AAC or Dysphagia courses)
- Post Qualification Intermediate Level Certificate in the Management of children with Eating and Drinking Difficulties
Desirable
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Of a highly specialist range of assessment tools and procedures to evaluate a wide range of language and communication needs in children and young people
- Of the key characteristics leading to a highly specialist differential diagnosis of a wide range of language and communication difficulties
- Of a highly specialist range of therapeutic interventions relevant to children and young people with a wide range of language and communication needs demonstrating the evidence base for these approaches
- Of the application of specialist knowledge of local cultural, linguistic & demographic factors to the management of children and young people
- Of multi-disciplinary team approaches
- Of working with children and young people with a wide range of language and communication needs
- Experience designing and delivering training to a range of audiences
- Experience writing statutory assessment / EHCP advice
- Experience in supporting less experienced therapists
- A minimum of 3 years' experience working with children with complex needs who present with a range of speech, language and communication difficulties and feeding needs
Desirable
- Experience of formal assessment tools used in the diagnosis of autism, eg ADOS
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Excellent written communication skills
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc. Speech Path or equivalent
- HPC licence to practise, and eligible for the full RCSLT register
- Evidence of successful completion of a range of specialist short courses and other CPD in specialist area (e.g., AAC or Dysphagia courses)
- Post Qualification Intermediate Level Certificate in the Management of children with Eating and Drinking Difficulties
Desirable
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Of a highly specialist range of assessment tools and procedures to evaluate a wide range of language and communication needs in children and young people
- Of the key characteristics leading to a highly specialist differential diagnosis of a wide range of language and communication difficulties
- Of a highly specialist range of therapeutic interventions relevant to children and young people with a wide range of language and communication needs demonstrating the evidence base for these approaches
- Of the application of specialist knowledge of local cultural, linguistic & demographic factors to the management of children and young people
- Of multi-disciplinary team approaches
- Of working with children and young people with a wide range of language and communication needs
- Experience designing and delivering training to a range of audiences
- Experience writing statutory assessment / EHCP advice
- Experience in supporting less experienced therapists
- A minimum of 3 years' experience working with children with complex needs who present with a range of speech, language and communication difficulties and feeding needs
Desirable
- Experience of formal assessment tools used in the diagnosis of autism, eg ADOS
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Excellent written communication skills
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).
