Highly Specialist Children's Speech and Language Therapist

Job responsibilities

Clinical Duties

To act as a High Specialist clinician for the Calderdale Alternative Provision Specialist Taskforce supporting the wider team with the communication and engagement of young people accessing the provision. Undertaking assessments of the young peoples level of understanding and communication ability and carry out training of the wider workforce.

To audit and foster a communication friendly environment within the alternative Provision to ensure the young people are able to access the environment and to advise and support parents and carers with regards to speech, language and communication within the context of social, emotional and mental health needs.

To act as a clinical lead for the Speech and Language Therapy Service for children, advancing clinical practice in this area of work and taking a lead in evolving and embedding best practice.

To work autonomously within Trust and school policies and professional practice, maintaining accurate and comprehensive up to date records.

To manage autonomously a clinical workload of children at a Highly Specialist level, assessing and treating patients and maintaining clinical records.

To have specialist assessment and treatment skills in the areas listed but not limited to:

v Triage and prioritisation of patients accessing the Alternative Provision

v Identification of complex needs

v Assessment and treatment of patients with multi pathology.

v Cognitive and perceptual difficulties

v Training/ supporting others to manage the young persons condition

v Joint goal setting and problem solving

v Use of appropriate outcome measures

v Transfer of care planning and discharge of patients from the team

To perform highly specialist assessment and treatment of children and young people, with the aim of using education and advice to facilitate parents and carers to understand and actively participate in the management of the child.

To apply evidence-based knowledge within the specialist clinical area acquired through in-depth experience and academic study to a specialist post graduate level.

To determine a clinical diagnosis, develop, deliver, implement, evaluate and modify individualised treatment programmes and/or provide highly specialist advice, ensuring appropriate pathways of care and communication via liaison and referral to other agencies as required.

To support transition of care to educational settings following the young person accessing the Alterative Provision (e.g. reintegration into mainstream provision or escalation to a longer-term specialist placement)

To act, within Calderdale Alternative Provision and childrens therapy service, as a resource and provide advice for Speech and Language Therapists, other professionals and colleagues about the assessment, treatment, management and care of children who have a multi-pathological illness and/or complex psychosocial need.

To work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary manner within the Alternative Provision Specialist Taskforce, being able to debate the blurring of boundaries across professions and, where competent, take on aspects of blurred boundary working, where appropriate.

To educate and train school staff both qualified, wider multi-disciplinary team and other specialist healthcare staff.

To support and advise within the wider multi agency team on the delivery of the service.

To participate in the supervision process with staff and trainee health and education professionals as required.

To ensure a high standard of care is provided including implementing and reviewing clinical standards relevant to the work undertaken.

To provide specialist assessment and advice for the multidisciplinary team and actively participate in MDT meetings as appropriate.

Professional Duties

To comply with and write, develop and implement protocols, procedures and guidelines both clinical and service specific. To give feedback on policies when required which may impact on the management and care of children and young people.

To participate in governance initiatives on a regular basis, measuring and evaluating individual and the therapy teams clinical practice, e.g. CPD, clinical effectiveness, research and development, clinical audit and service activity data.

To ensure specialised treatments offered to children and young people are based on the best available clinical evidence by keeping up to date with current literature, implementing research tools and liaising with other practitioners, both within and outside the service, to develop and maintain best practice.

To be responsible for the issue and safe use of equipment (e.g. AAC) used in your area of work and to adhere to the appropriate service policies.

Generate and contribute to the collection, analysis and dissemination of data as required for the service, both manually and computerised.

To lead, develop and actively undertake clinical audit.

To support members of the staff at Woodley School and College and contribute to them successfully meeting their objectives and development needs.

Managerial Duties

To support and advise on the delivery of interventions at Trinity Alternative Provision.

To provide the Service Manager with advice/information in the planning and development of the service and to identify and evaluate potential areas for service and quality improvement.

To assist in achieving the provisions objectives.

To comply with the national, professional, Trust and school policies and procedures and to be involved in the reviewing and updating process as appropriate.

Maintain confidentiality of all patient identifiable information in line with Trust and school policies relating to the Data Protection Act.

Initiate discussions with the senior management team and Childrens Therapies Lead about any circumstances that could prevent the postholder or other staff fulfilling the requirements of the job description.

Training and Development Duties

To identify, develop and evaluate a training programme to address the needs of the wider multi professional team as appropriate.

To organise and participate and lead in in-service training programmes, ensuring appropriate training is delivered.

To undertake appropriate development opportunities as identified at yearly personal development reviews and through personal development plans. To incorporate acquired knowledge into working practice as appropriate, following discussion with senior leadership team and Childrens Therapies Lead. To disseminate information from training effectively throughout the team.

To participate in the supervision process and peer review and maintain an up to date CPD portfolio including evidence of experiential learning, reflective practice and any relevant training or experience. This should demonstrate responsibility for maintaining own competency to practice.

To participate in the Trust Personal Development Review process taking responsibility to comply with an agreed personal development plan.

To give highly specialist advice, teaching and training to children, parent, carers, volunteers and other health, educational and social care professionals, as appropriate to ensure provision of good patient car

Financial Duties

There are no financial duties required in this post.

Managing Self

To participate in regular supervision.

To Attend all mandatory training and undertake an annual appraisal.

To comply with all school and Trust policies, procedures and protocols.

To carry out duties with due regard to the school and Trusts Equal Opportunity Policy.

To seek advice and support from senior leadership team and Line Manager whenever necessary.

To maintain professional conduct including appearance at all times.

To ensure maintenance of Professional Registration.

Undertake all such reasonable other duties as may be required as part of the role.

QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING

Essential

• Relevant Degree/Diploma
• Registered with HCPC
• Evidence of relevant Postgraduate Training
• Clinical Educator Training

Desirable

• Member of Professional Body
• Studied at Masters level or equivalent

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)

Essential

• Ability to communicate effectively with people with complex difficulties and in difficult situations
• Evidence of experience of working with children with complex communication needs and autism
• Knowledge and experience of the principles and practice of partnership working within an integrated team
• Ability to organise, prioritise and delegate appropriately using knowledge of blurred boundary / competency frameworks
• Knowledge and understanding of national and local priorities pertaining to children
• Experience of developing, supervising and training others

Desirable

• Experience in contributing to service improvements e.g. Audit, patient information etc
• Experience in dealing with complaints (e.g. diffusing complaint or investigating complaint)
• Carrying out PDR's
• Teaching/Presentation skills

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

Essential

• Experience demonstrating ability to assess, treat and evaluate care in paediatrics
• Good Clinical Reasoning skills
• Evidence of CPD, self-directed learning and Reflective Practice
• Understanding of Clinical Governance
• Critical Appraisal Skills
• Ability to maintain legible and accurate records
• Previous experience working at Band 6 level with children with complex communication needs
• Knowledge of child development and a range of common paediatric conditions
• Ability to carry out specialist assessments and treatments and evaluate intervention in terms of quality and outcomes for children and their families.
• Evidence of up-to-date best practice in paediatrics and social communication
• Demonstrates positive attitude and behaviours
• Excellent Time Management skills
• Ability to organise own work and caseload
• Ability to work in a stressful environment and concentrate in conditions requiring emotional demands
• Ability to recognise own limitations and have a willingness to share and learn skills from others

Desirable

• Knowledge and experience of working with a total communication approach including with a range of AAC tools pertinent to a social communication caseload
• Experience of delivering training packages
• Attendance at relevant Special Interest Groups

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).