Lead Clinical Speech Therapist

Speech and Language Therapist Specialist

This is a permanent position supporting the Speech and Language Therapy Team in delivering effective clinical services 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 with specialist skills relating to these areas.

Caudwell Children is a national charity transforming the lives of disabled children and their families by providing practical and emotional support.

The Charity has recently opened a new facility for multi-disciplinary therapy programs and research on neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic and fast-moving charity at a time when it will attract national and international attention.

We seek to create a safe, homely, and supportive environment that enhances the lives of children with autism and associated conditions.

• 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.
• 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 programs, 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.
• Main Duties: Support the development of communication training programs 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.
• Actively engage in practice development, evaluation, audit, and research activities to inform evidence-based practice.
• Provide mentorship and clinical supervision for practice education placements for students of Speech and Language Therapy.
• 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.
• Liaise with other departments and services within CICC.

Responsibilities and Skills:

• 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.
• Work effectively, cooperatively 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.

Person Specification:

• 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.
• Able 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.

About Us:

Caudwell Children is a Disability Confident employer committed to creating a diverse environment.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian, or from a Minority Ethnic background and other underrepresented groups.