Speech & Language Therapist Lead

This is a permanent post supporting specifically the Speech and Language Therapy Team, in the delivery of effective clinical support through assessment, formulation and ongoing support to children and families accessing the service. You must have experience working in the field of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders and have specialist skills relating to these.

Established in 2000, Caudwell Children is a national charity which works to transform the lives of disabled children and their families, enabling them to challenge the barriers they face throughout childhood by providing practical and emotional support.

The Charity is going through an exciting period of growth having recently opened a new state-of-the-art facility for multi-disciplinary therapy programmes for childhood disability and research of neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism, within the grounds of Keele University.

It provides a state-of-the-art base for the Charity's therapies and an environment where ground-breaking research can be undertaken, potentially changing the way some disabilities are treated, affecting millions of people around the world. This is a fantastic and exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and fast-moving Charity at a time when it will attract national and international attention.

The services of Caudwell Children enrich the lives of our children and families through the delivery of high quality person-centred care and support services that promote independence and achieve valued outcomes. We seek to create a safe, homely and supportive environment that enhances the lives of children with autism and associated conditions.

Under the direction of the Clinical Team Manager:

• Supervise less specialist Speech and Language Therapists, offering advice and training where needed.
• Support the development of the Speech and Language Therapy pathway within the Autism Diagnostic service, and support development of the new Speech and Language Therapy Intervention pathway.
• Undertake specialist assessments of communication, both informal and formal standardised assessments.
• Communicate results of assessment and therapeutic findings with the multidisciplinary team.
• Undertake clinical work with individuals and groups, providing advice, resources, strategies and programmes, as appropriate, using specialist skills and autism specific approaches where required.
• Support in developing the post-diagnostic communication workshops and recommendations to parents and teachers, ensuring they are up to date with the evidence base.

• Support the development of communication training programmes and communicate these to our Communication Trainers for implementation.
• Direct and supervise less experienced SaLTs, using specialist skills and developing leadership skills.
• Contribute to the working of the multi-disciplinary team and act as a specialist resource for communication issues.
• As part of the team engage actively in practice development, evaluation, audit and research activities to inform evidence-based practice.
• Under the direction of the Clinical Team Manager support and manage the SaLTs.
• Where appropriate share and disseminate research findings with professional colleagues in the interests of practice development.
• Provide mentorship and clinical supervision for practice education placements for students of Speech and Language Therapy.
• As part of the SaLT team, participate in the specialist education and training of professional and clinical colleagues, students, visitors and volunteers.
• Ensure compliance and completion of Continuing Professional Development activities.
• Contribute to supporting other colleagues in their CPD, particularly in relation to communication.
• Communicate with children and families in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture.
• Work collaboratively with all members of the multi-disciplinary team and share information with team members in informal and formal situations.
• Demonstrate a high level of personal communication skills.
• Represent the profession in team meetings and working groups.
• Support the SaLT team to positively promote the SaLT role.
• Share relevant information with SaLT colleagues and other members of the clinical team.
• Liaise with other departments and services within CICC.

Under the direction of the Clinical Team Manager:

• Ensure compliance with professional standards for Speech and Language Therapy practice.
• Adhere to HCPC regulations and RCSLT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for Speech and Language Therapists.
• Demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional development through participation in internal and external development opportunities identified in supervision and appraisal.
• Maintain professional portfolios in line with HCPC and RCSLT requirements.
• Apply specialist knowledge and skills in order to demonstrate professional proficiency.
• Develop and maintain links with other SaLTs in specialist field of work.
• Keep up to date and integrate relevant new initiatives and recommendations from RCSLT and other relevant organisations, ensuring that practice is informed and current, where appropriate.
• Ensure that all information and matters of a confidential nature are dealt with in accordance with statutory and organisational policies and procedures and that the staff team adhere to the same.
• Take responsibility for continuing personal development in order to enhance knowledge, skills and experience needed for safe and effective practice and the achievement of agreed service outcomes and personal appraisal targets.
• Keep comprehensive records of activity in accordance with organisational IT systems and professional standards.
• Ensure all record keeping is in line with local, professional, organisational and National guidelines.
• Attend training as appropriate to the role applying knowledge gained to the workplace and maintain an up-to-date training profile.
• To engage in Support and Supervision sessions to reflect on practice enhancing communication and quality of service.
• To work effectively, co-operatively as a member of a team, maintaining good working relationships with colleagues and professionals from other agencies.
• At all times promote and ensure anti-discriminatory practice in all matters of staff management and service delivery in accordance with the organisation equality and diversity approaches and statutory and regulatory guidelines.
• Adhere to all Caudwell Children policies and procedures.
• When necessary, work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays to ensure the efficient operation of the service.

• Speech and Language Therapy degree
• Registered member of Health Professions Council
• Postgraduate training or CPD in the area of Autism
• At least 3 years post registration experience, ideally with specialist client group
• Experience of working with children with autism and /or complex needs/LD
• Experience of Autism specific approaches such as social stories, TEACCH, Attention Autism, Intensive Interaction
• Experience of undertaking specialist assessments of communication
• Formulation and implementation of appropriate interventions / strategies
• Experience of working with children who use AAC
• Production of generic and individual communication resources including AAC
• Experience of delivering training to a range of audiences
• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Experience of working with families
• Knowledge of a range of Neurodevelopmental disorders
• Understanding of evidence-based practice
• Knowledge of statutory/mandatory training requirements
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, i.e. Children's Act 2004, Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Knowledge of current safeguarding and child protection legislation and practice
• Knowledge of Information Governance Standards
• Knowledge of Health & Safety legislation
• Knowledge of SEND agenda and Education Health Care Plans
• Excellent team-working and communication skills
• Excellent leadership skills
• Ability to undertake occasional travel in order to meet the needs of the post

Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• An openness and willingness to learn new skills and to put these into practice.
• A personal commitment to the organisation's values and principles
• A commitment to the principles and practice of continual improvement and the provision of personalised services
• A commitment to uphold the rights of children; vulnerable and disabled people
• A commitment and the organisation's approach to equality and diversity
• Ability to demonstrate a flexible approach to work
• Able to meet the physical requirements of the role after reasonable adjustments have been made for illness or disability
• Undertake personal and professional development in order to meet the changing demands of the job
• Experience of working with children with sensory difference
• Training and experience working with children with challenging behaviours
• Experience of working with volunteers

This Job Description indicates only the main duties and responsibilities of the post. It is not intended as an exhaustive list. The Organisation reserve the right to amend this Job Description from time to time, according to business needs and in consultation with the post holder.

The Charity is committed to safeguarding children and young people and therefore adopts a safer recruitment approach through a robust recruitment and selection process. All posts within the Charity are subject to DBS checks, in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). This role is eligible for an Enhanced with barred lists DBS check.

Permanent, full-time (37.5 hours per week)

Caudwell Children is a Disability Confident employer committed to offering an interview to all applicants who meet the minimum criteria and declare they have a disability. We are committed to creating a diverse environment and will not discriminate for any reason against any person because of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex or sexual orientation. We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background and other underrepresented groups.