Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

The post holder will support the work of the Speech and Language Therapy team in learning disabilities in the London Borough of Camden. They will carry out tasks to facilitate the communication skills of clients with a combination of direct and indirect supervision from a speech and language therapist. The postholder will work indirectly with clients support networks including family and paid carers. A significant part of the postholders work will consist of supporting carers to implement therapy approaches. They will undertake informal observation assessments as part of a broader client assessment protocol, and report back the results to the supervising clinician and will write these up in the clients case notes. They will complete comprehensive and timely documentation of input with the support and supervision of a speech and language therapist. This may include contribution to clinical reports, letters and case notes. They will prepare visual support materials eg communication books, communication passports etc, implement speech and language therapy packages of care, and assess the clients response to communication tools and strategies sessions. They will undertake administrative duties including managing the organisation of training courses.

As a result of experience and formal training, they will have a basic theoretical knowledge and understanding of the range of communication difficulties associated with people with learning disabilities, and of the appropriate communication approaches and techniques.

The post holder will work both indirectly and directly with young adults and adults with learning disabilities who have associated syndromes and complex needs such as autism.

The post holder will have good communication skills. This will mean that they are able to communicate factual information to a diverse range of clients, staff and their family/paid carers in a sensitive and reassuring manner, displaying an awareness and sensitivity to social, cultural and economic issues. In particular the post holder will be skilled at adapting their communication to meet the needs of clients with communication difficulties. They will be supported to develop their knowledge of signing and symbol systems to support communication.

They will provide information on communication sessions to others, in addition to providing basic information on good practice regarding communication. They will be able to contribute to the induction of new speech and language therapists, other staff in the multi-agency team and staff in other settings such as the further education college and supported living houses, and provide support for these staff.

The post holder will contribute to the design of training programmes, and assist in the provision of training for staff and colleagues with support from a speech and language therapist.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

CLINICAL

1. The post holder will carry out prescribed tasks to facilitate the communication skills of clients with support from a speech and language therapist. These tasks will be part of a total care plan devised by the speech and language therapist.

2. To undertake routine therapy sessions with individual clients, setting activities to meet goals as specified by the supervising therapist, evaluating session outcomes and discussing these with that therapist on a regular basis.

3. To follow therapy goals when implementing a therapy programme, with support from a speech and language therapist

4. To prepare appropriate materials and equipment to support the clinical caseloads of the whole Speech and Language Therapy team, under the supervision and guidance of the speech and language therapist.

5. To prepare appropriate materials and equipment for therapy sessions within the speech and language therapy department in discussion with a speech and language therapist.

6. To run groups with support from a speech and language therapist.

7. To develop suitable tasks and materials for therapy sessions with individuals and groups, following appropriate training, in discussion with a speech and language therapist.

8. To demonstrate the ability to reflect on own clinical practice in discussion with a supervisor.

9. To undertake informal observation assessments under the supervision of a speech and language therapist.

10. To understand and work with the full range of communication difficulties related to the client group following completion of appropriate training courses.

11. To identify and adapt communication strategies to meet the needs of clients with communication difficulties.

12. To communicate factual information to clients, using persuasion, reassurance, tact and sensitivity, particularly where barriers to understanding exist.

13. To form productive relationships with others who may be under stress and/or have challenging communication difficulties.

14. To maintain and update the electronic case records of the clients following the designated format, with support from a speech and language therapist.

15. To ensure that all notes and records are read by the supervising therapist.

16. To arrange and manage own allocated workload including prioritisation of tasks and management of time under the advice and guidance of the supervising speech and language therapist.

17. To report Safeguarding concerns arising from case work to clinical supervisor and Duty Team Manager, and to follow the advice and procedures for Safeguarding from the Duty Team Manager.

WORK CONDITIONS

1. To have due regard for personal safety and that of clients/carers, adhering to moving and handling regulations, restraining policies and ensuring the safe positioning of self and others.

2. To develop skills in handling clients with disabilities.

3. To conform to the provisions of the Health and Safety Act and to comply with local policies, attending statutory training, on an annual basis or as appropriate.

4. 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 regular basis.

5. To employ appropriate behaviour management strategies.

LIAISON/TEAMWORK

1. To attend meetings.

2. To provide information on communication sessions to others, with support from a speech and language therapist.

3. To provide basic information on good practice regarding communication, to carers or others.

4. To liaise with the clients network where appropriate via email, telephone, virtual and face to face meetings.

ADMINISTRATION

1. To carry out administrative duties as appropriate, which include organising timetables, data collection; arranging clients appointments and maintaining general equipment with support from a speech and language therapist.

2. To carry out general team administrative duties.

3. To use computer programmes to update resources, documents and databases.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

1. Maintain compliance with Trust mandatory training.

2. To attend appropriate trainings under the agreement of line manager.

3. To demonstrate the ability to reflect on own clinical practice in discussion with a supervisor.

4. To work with clinical supervisor and/or other speech and language therapists during supervision sessions and feedback sessions to develop clinical skills.

5. To contribute to support meetings organised for speech and language therapy assistants / co-workers in order to offer and receive support.

6. To contribute to the induction of new speech and language therapists and other staff.

7. To provide support for less experienced speech and language therapist and other staff.

8. To contribute to team meetings.

9. To participate in staff appraisal.

TEACHING and TRAINING

1. To contribute to the design of training programmes, and to assist in the provision of training with support from a speech and language therapist.

2. To share information with small staff groups, with support from a speech and language therapist.

3. To train other staff in specialist communication techniques including alternative and augmentative communication devices and multi-media techniques such as specialist apps and Wikis.

RESEARCH

1. To contribute data to speech and language therapy clinical audit or research programmes as appropriate, with support from a speech and language therapist.

OTHER

1. To undertake any other duties as required by the Speech and Language Therapy Services Manager, which may include a change in workplace.

Qualification/training

Essential

• Experience or NVQ in relevant field for children or adults with disabilities

Desirable

• Training relevant to client group, e.g. Makaton, Intensive Interaction

Previous experience

Essential

• Working in a relevant setting
• Administrative tasks, including record keeping and note writing

Desirable

• Data collection
• Running groups

Skills

Essential

• Good written communication
• Microsoft Office - Word

Desirable

• Excel and PowerPoint

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of communication issues relevant to client group of learning disabilities
• Knowledge of a range of specific communication approaches/strategies relevant to the client group of learning disabilities eg communication passports, communication books, visual timetables, Makaton signing, electronic aids, sensory approaches, multi-media approaches
• Knowledge of safeguarding
• Knowledge of local cultural linguistic and demographic issues for people with learning disabilities and their families

Previous experience

Essential

• Experience of adults (16+) with learning disabilities
• Experience of 1 or more of these specific approaches eg communication passports, communication books, visual timetables, Makaton signing, electronic aids, sensory approaches, multi-media approaches
• Working as part of a team
• Supervision and following goals set by supervisor

Skills

Essential

• Good organisational skills

Other requirements

Essential

• 1.Commitment to continuous professional development with the support of clinical supervisor

Knowledge

Desirable

• Basic knowledge of informal assessment techniques relevant for this client group

Skills

Essential

• Good verbal communication
• Good listening skills
• Good problem-solving skills
• Awareness of adapting communication styles with different people
• Awareness of the need to gain support from supervising clinician

Other requirements

Essential

• Flexibility
• Able to take initiative

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).