Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Role Responsibility:

To be a member of the Special Schools team and share information with team members as directed and appropriate, keeping confidentiality at all times.

Ensure that up-to-date written and electronic records are maintained in accordance with Trust standards with guidance from supervisor.

Form professional relationships with children, families, the MDT and school staff and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture.

Assist team members with liaising with other agencies involved in the childs care including: education, Social Services and Voluntary Services

Develop skills in working with children with additional needs requiring a range of therapy input including individual and group sessions.

Develop skills in alternative communication methods suitable for children with severe and complex needs and develop rapport e.g. PODD, Makaton and other AAC systems both low and high tech.

To use a variety of verbal and non-verbal communication skills and tools to communicate with children who are non verbal, of a non English speaking background, requiring an interpreter, with a hearing impairment, with altered emotional states, with a cognitive/learning/behavioural disability.

Report verbally and/or in writing to therapists on the childs development and performance in therapeutic and functional skills.

Liaise with other agencies involved in the childs care, including relatives and carers, as appropriate to the childs needs, as directed by team members

Report effectively any issues or concerns to supervisor/line manager

Participate in service audits

Persuade and motivate children to participate in therapy activities and reassure if required.

Demonstrate effective communication over the telephone and in person to parents/carers and external agencies (especially teachers and teaching assistants)

Demonstrate ability to use computer systems, reports and inputting data including team, word, excel and other programmes used for audits or record management.

Assist the general specials schools Therapy & Nursing team with ordering, supplies, updating information and audits as required

Clinical Responsibility:

Undertake specific individual or group programmes as assessed and directed by trained staff members, observing general behaviour, ability and response of the children, recording the information as requested and reporting to a supervisor. Settings could include clinic, home, or school.

Engage children in therapeutic activities to promote speech, language and communication development.

Facilitate and participate in planned activities, seeking guidance if childs condition changes.

Assist in the implementation of team member interventions including:

o Assist in the running of therapy groups

o Carry out therapy programmes as directed by SLT with children and young people

o Under supervision of a therapist, provide a range of treatments; instructing and guiding children to support them in achieving identified goals. To work towards goals identified by the child, family/carers, the treating therapist, education professionals and the MDT

o Implements therapy treatment plans

o Organising and scheduling visits

o Assist team members with home assessment as required

Adhere to the Trusts Policies and Procedures

To assist in completing risk assessment of environment and safety under the guidance of senior team members following local and Trust policies

Ensure that toys and play materials are kept clean, safe and secure, assisting with regular toy cleaning

Highlighting the need for resources to aid the smooth running of clinical sessions

To assist therapists in making and preparing clinical resources such as visual timetables, PODD books or other materials.

Assist with programming of high tech AAC devices under guidance of SLT

To support professionals staff in gathering evidence (including research database and website searches) and developing resources.

Provide training or demonstrating teachers/schools, with the support and guidance of therapists

Leadership and Staff Management Responsibility

Review and reflect own practice and performance through effective use of regular professional and operational supervision and appraisal.

Participate in non-clinical induction, training and education of students and new assistants as directed by supervisor/line manager

Provide support and organise peer support for more junior therapy assistant staff.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Desirable

• Range of Short Courses relevant to client groups

Skills

Essential

• Positive interest in working with children with complex needs and their families
• Good verbal and written communication

Experience & Knowledge

Essential

• Experience working in a clinical role as teaching assistant, therapy assistant or co-worker
• Experience working with children with additional needs
• Experience working as part of a team
• An understanding of the role and working relationships of multi agencies involved in supporting children with additional needs

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Whittington Hospital NHS Trust

Address

Richard Cloudesley Primary

Tudor Rose Building, 1 Prebend Street,

London

N1 8RE

Employer's website

https://www.whittington.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)