Job summary
We are excited to offer this position of Speech and Language Therapy Lead in our new Autism and Social Communication Assessment pathway. This post is based at Edgware Hospital in Barnet.
We are looking for an experienced Speech and Language Therapist with prior experience in autism assessment and diagnosis in children 0-6. The ideal candidate will be ADOS-2 trained and have considerable experience in multidisciplinary neurodevelopmental assessment clinics, working with paediatricians, SLTs, OTs, psychologists and other clinicians.
This is a new multidisciplinary team which is designed to provide a needs-led, family-centred approach to assessment and diagnosis for children under the age of seven with neurodivergent needs.
The successful candidate will assess children aged 0-6 for possible autism using the ADOS and/or other appropriate assessment tools, liaise with other members of the MDT to consider the correct outcome for the child, give families feedback about the outcome of assessments, and write high-quality clinical reports.
Main duties of the job
The role involves supervision and line management of the band 7 speech and language therapists within the team, leading practice, providing specialist support to children and families, liaising with other professionals, and demonstrating a neuro-affirmative attitude to differences such as autism and ADHD.
The aim is to provide a holistic approach in communicating and sharing advice, information and plans to all relevant parties and family.
The post holder will act as the Safeguarding Lead for the team, providing advice and support in safeguarding matters, liaising with the trust's safeguarding team and leading on cases where there are significant safeguarding concerns.
The post holder will be responsible for fostering strong relationships and facilitating communication between the Autism Assessment Team and the SLT Community Team (which sits within Whittington Health), to optimise service delivery.
Supervision of junior staff and students is a key component of the role, ensuring their development and professional growth.
The role also involves contributing to the planning, coordination, delivery, and evaluation of the effectiveness of the pathway and the Speech and Language Therapy role within it. Additionally, you will participate in service improvement initiatives and contribute to quality enhancement efforts within the team.
About us
Royal Free World Class Values
The post holder will offer World Class Care to service users, staff, colleagues, clients and patients alike so that everyone at the Royal Free can feel:
l Welcome all of the time
l confident because we are clearly Communicating
l Respected and cared for
l Reassured that they are always in safe hands
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent
- Registration with the Health Professions Council for Licence to Practice
Desirable
- Recognised post graduate degree in a relevant area such as autism
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with neurodivergent children
- Experience of working with children in early years
- Experience of assessing children for autism diagnostic purposes
- Experience of working with other MDT professionals and/or early years staff
- Trained in ADOS-2
- Experience supervising and/or managing qualified SLTs
- Experience of safeguarding processes: MASH referrals, attendance at case conferences and strategy meetings
Desirable
- Experience of working in children centres and nurseries, schools
Skills
Essential
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Experience in delivering training.
- Able to organise, plan and prioritise own workload. Demonstrates ability to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management.
- Ability to show sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of clients and their carers in particular when imparting potentially distressing information.
- Demonstrates empathy with clients, carers and families often where barriers to understanding exist ensuring that effective communication is achieved.
- Proven ability to work as part of a team.
Desirable
- Ability to speak another language
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent
- Registration with the Health Professions Council for Licence to Practice
Desirable
- Recognised post graduate degree in a relevant area such as autism
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with neurodivergent children
- Experience of working with children in early years
- Experience of assessing children for autism diagnostic purposes
- Experience of working with other MDT professionals and/or early years staff
- Trained in ADOS-2
- Experience supervising and/or managing qualified SLTs
- Experience of safeguarding processes: MASH referrals, attendance at case conferences and strategy meetings
Desirable
- Experience of working in children centres and nurseries, schools
Skills
Essential
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Experience in delivering training.
- Able to organise, plan and prioritise own workload. Demonstrates ability to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management.
- Ability to show sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of clients and their carers in particular when imparting potentially distressing information.
- Demonstrates empathy with clients, carers and families often where barriers to understanding exist ensuring that effective communication is achieved.
- Proven ability to work as part of a team.
Desirable
- Ability to speak another language
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).
