Job summary
We are looking for a Speech & Language Therapy Assistant to join our Special Schools and Integrated Resources Paediatric Team.
This is fixed term post (12 months) for 5 days per week, however, we would be happy to consider requests for part time and/or term time only working.
Main duties of the job
To develop, implement and monitor speech and language therapy programmes, in consultation with a Speech & Language Therapist (SLT), for individual and/or groups of children with complex needs.
To develop and implement visual support strategies to be modelled and used in a range of settings, including the school environment and child's home.
To develop and implement powered and paper based alternative, augmentative communication (AAC systems)
To prepare and develop resource materials as required for the post or requested by members of the speech and language therapy team.
To identify the need for specific resources required by individual children.
About us
Sheffield Speech & Language Therapy operates on a city wide basis. It is committed to providing a high quality service and offers opportunities for development. All assistants are required to undertake a programme of continuous professional development, which forms part of the individual performance review system.
You will find a strong commitment to professional training and development, together with friendly peer group support.
Sheffield Children's is one of three independent, specialist paediatric hospitals in the country, providing dedicated healthcare for children and young people across community, mental health and acute specialist settings.
We have three overarching aims that set the direction for the Trust in our vision "to create a healthier future for children and young people."
- Outstanding patient care
- Brilliant place to work
- Leader in children's health
Our commitment to rewarding colleagues is demonstrated through our brilliant reward and benefits offer including; generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme and access to salary sacrifice schemes such as cycle to work and lease cars.
We are committed to supporting colleagues from different heritages and lifestyles while at work. This is supported through the offer we have in place for flexible working and the three equality network groups we have in place. Colleagues are encouraged to join these groups and request flexible working.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To work in specialist schools and integrated resources with children with Autism and/or Learning Disability and/or complex needs at the request of the SLT.
To independently deliver and monitor a range of speech and language therapy packages developed in consultation with a SLT.
To liaise with education staff and Barnsley Assistive Technology team:
- To gain information which compliments assessments
- To share findings with a range of education staff
- To discuss and model recommendations regarding AAC, communication strategies and visual support
- To provide support for staff in implementing the recommendations
To prepare intervention materials, tailoring these to the needs of individual clients.
To contribute to the design and evaluation of specific projects.
To contribute to training by preparing materials, planning and delivering training, and sharing experience and expertise
To develop and modify activities to meet defined intervention needs.
To provide information on good practice in relation to communication, AAC and visual support.
To work with other assistants and NQTs to provide training, shadowing opportunities, CPD and assist in induction.
To maintain and update technical skills, including a range of powered communication aids, apps and software, as well as use of computers to access and maintain confidential records, and to produce clinical resources.
To have due regard for personal safety and that of children/carers.
To work within infection control and health and safety guidelines in order to deal appropriately with unpleasant conditions related to client contact.
To follow guidelines and protocols within this area and comment on department policies.
Inclusive Recruitment & Selection
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and accurate data capture is an important part of that to ensure we are supportive and representative. Our aim is to ensure that all applicants can see themselves in the available categories on our application form, but we recognise that some of our data capture fields are not inclusive. We have flagged this with our system provider to ask for change.
We offer encouragement and active support to applicants with additional needs, including those from ethnic minorities, with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. If you wish to adjust any aspect of the recruitment process or wish to find out more about our recruitment & selection processes, please get in touch with our Recruitment Manager: Catherine.Gilbert7@nhs.net
We are continually reviewing our recruitment & selection process to support the long-term aim of Sheffield Childrens being a champion of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. If you have any ideas for improvement, please get in touch with Catherine Gilbert at Catherine.Gilbert7@nhs.net
Trust Values
The Trust is committed to providing great quality patient care and keep children, young people and families at the heart of what we do by following our CARE values:
- Compassion leading by kindness and showing empathy, understanding and respect
- Accountability striving to do the right thing and owning responsibility
- Respect value differences, tackling inequality and fostering a culture of inclusion
- Excellence delivering a high-quality standard of care
Job description
Job responsibilities
To work in specialist schools and integrated resources with children with Autism and/or Learning Disability and/or complex needs at the request of the SLT.
To independently deliver and monitor a range of speech and language therapy packages developed in consultation with a SLT.
To liaise with education staff and Barnsley Assistive Technology team:
- To gain information which compliments assessments
- To share findings with a range of education staff
- To discuss and model recommendations regarding AAC, communication strategies and visual support
- To provide support for staff in implementing the recommendations
To prepare intervention materials, tailoring these to the needs of individual clients.
To contribute to the design and evaluation of specific projects.
To contribute to training by preparing materials, planning and delivering training, and sharing experience and expertise
To develop and modify activities to meet defined intervention needs.
To provide information on good practice in relation to communication, AAC and visual support.
To work with other assistants and NQTs to provide training, shadowing opportunities, CPD and assist in induction.
To maintain and update technical skills, including a range of powered communication aids, apps and software, as well as use of computers to access and maintain confidential records, and to produce clinical resources.
To have due regard for personal safety and that of children/carers.
To work within infection control and health and safety guidelines in order to deal appropriately with unpleasant conditions related to client contact.
To follow guidelines and protocols within this area and comment on department policies.
Inclusive Recruitment & Selection
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and accurate data capture is an important part of that to ensure we are supportive and representative. Our aim is to ensure that all applicants can see themselves in the available categories on our application form, but we recognise that some of our data capture fields are not inclusive. We have flagged this with our system provider to ask for change.
We offer encouragement and active support to applicants with additional needs, including those from ethnic minorities, with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. If you wish to adjust any aspect of the recruitment process or wish to find out more about our recruitment & selection processes, please get in touch with our Recruitment Manager: Catherine.Gilbert7@nhs.net
We are continually reviewing our recruitment & selection process to support the long-term aim of Sheffield Childrens being a champion of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. If you have any ideas for improvement, please get in touch with Catherine Gilbert at Catherine.Gilbert7@nhs.net
Trust Values
The Trust is committed to providing great quality patient care and keep children, young people and families at the heart of what we do by following our CARE values:
- Compassion leading by kindness and showing empathy, understanding and respect
- Accountability striving to do the right thing and owning responsibility
- Respect value differences, tackling inequality and fostering a culture of inclusion
- Excellence delivering a high-quality standard of care
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- 'A' Level, NVQ3, NNEB, BTEC or equivalent knowledge.
Desirable
- Degree in a relevant discipline
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in delivering speech and language programmes to children with communication difficulties
- Experience of working in a school environment and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to work as part of a team and using own initiative
- To know when and how to ask for help.
- Able to communicate effectively with carers / families / school staff.
- Understanding of client confidentiality
- Ability to relate to the client group
- Ability to devise new activities to enable client to reach goals
- Experience of working with speech and language therapists.
Desirable
- Experience in assisting in the delivery of training.
- Experience in special schools.
- Experience working into patient's homes.
- Experience in creating visual resources
- Experience in programming and updating communication aids.
- Experience using: -Visual support -AAC -Shape Coding -PECS -Attention Autism -Intensive Interaction -Makaton
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- In depth knowledge of three or more of the following areas: -Visual support -Autism -Learning disabilities -Physical disabilities -Child development -Development of understanding and use of spoken language -Play development and non-directive play -Total Communication -Communication aids -Makaton -Literacy development -Modifying language input -Selecting core and functional vocabulary
- Ability to carry out informal assessments and observations to assist the effective implementation of AAC and visual support.
- Ability to produce resources using the following technology, as well as being confident making/modifying and using powered and paper based AAC: -Computer -Symbol software
- Awareness of child and adult protection issues.
Personal attributes
Essential
- Ability work under own initiative.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to relate to client group.
- Confidence in liaising and working with a range of other professionals to share strategies and recommendations.
- Good attendance and time-keeping.
- Flexibility in approach to changes in service need.
- Ability to be proactive and show initiative and take responsibility.
- To maintain and understand the importance of confidentiality in work environment.
- Commitment to continued personal development and reflective practice
- Commitment to equal opportunities in work and service delivery
- Knowledge and application of professional standards and code of conduct.
- Commitment to user and carer involvement
Demonstartes Trust Values
Essential
- Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- 'A' Level, NVQ3, NNEB, BTEC or equivalent knowledge.
Desirable
- Degree in a relevant discipline
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in delivering speech and language programmes to children with communication difficulties
- Experience of working in a school environment and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to work as part of a team and using own initiative
- To know when and how to ask for help.
- Able to communicate effectively with carers / families / school staff.
- Understanding of client confidentiality
- Ability to relate to the client group
- Ability to devise new activities to enable client to reach goals
- Experience of working with speech and language therapists.
Desirable
- Experience in assisting in the delivery of training.
- Experience in special schools.
- Experience working into patient's homes.
- Experience in creating visual resources
- Experience in programming and updating communication aids.
- Experience using: -Visual support -AAC -Shape Coding -PECS -Attention Autism -Intensive Interaction -Makaton
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- In depth knowledge of three or more of the following areas: -Visual support -Autism -Learning disabilities -Physical disabilities -Child development -Development of understanding and use of spoken language -Play development and non-directive play -Total Communication -Communication aids -Makaton -Literacy development -Modifying language input -Selecting core and functional vocabulary
- Ability to carry out informal assessments and observations to assist the effective implementation of AAC and visual support.
- Ability to produce resources using the following technology, as well as being confident making/modifying and using powered and paper based AAC: -Computer -Symbol software
- Awareness of child and adult protection issues.
Personal attributes
Essential
- Ability work under own initiative.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to relate to client group.
- Confidence in liaising and working with a range of other professionals to share strategies and recommendations.
- Good attendance and time-keeping.
- Flexibility in approach to changes in service need.
- Ability to be proactive and show initiative and take responsibility.
- To maintain and understand the importance of confidentiality in work environment.
- Commitment to continued personal development and reflective practice
- Commitment to equal opportunities in work and service delivery
- Knowledge and application of professional standards and code of conduct.
- Commitment to user and carer involvement
Demonstartes Trust Values
Essential
- Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence
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).
Additional information
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).
