Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

The postholder will provide specialist assessment,

diagnosis and intervention for children and young people with speech, language

and communication needs, in particularly those with complex developmental

needs. They will manage an independent paediatric caseload, develop and

evaluate evidence-based therapy programmes, and work closely with families,

education staff and multidisciplinary teams to achieve positive outcomes.

The role includes providing advice, training and support to

parents, carers and professionals, producing clinical reports and contributing

to statutory processes such as Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). The

postholder will use advanced clinical reasoning to inform decision-making,

communicate complex and sensitive information effectively, and ensure care is

child-centred and tailored to individual needs.

The postholder will contribute to service development,

clinical governance, audit and quality improvement activities, while

maintaining accurate records and complying with professional, safeguarding and

information governance requirements. They will also support the development of

colleagues, students and support staff through supervision, training and

mentorship, and maintain their own continuing professional development in line

with HCPC and RCSLT standards.

As

a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist you will provide assessment,

diagnosis and treatment for children with complex communication disorders. This

includes children across a range of settings (e.g., mainstream schools, special

schools, designated provisions), but particularly pre-school age children known

to our Child Development Centre (CDC).

Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Skills

To assess and

diagnose children with communication disorders, including those with special

needs. May be required to take a lead

role in the day to day running of a community caseload and/or mainstream schools

and support a Highly Specialist SLT working with children with complex needs at

the Child Development Centre.

To develop and implement Speech and Language

Therapy programmes for school staff and parents to implement and to evaluate

outcomes for children with communication difficulties.

To take clinical responsibility for a varied

paediatric caseload of differing complexities and to organise this effectively regarding

clinical priorities and use of time.

To ensure

that clients are involved in the planning and prioritisation of their treatment

plans wherever possible.

To provide

advice and coaching to others regarding the management and care of clients with

communication difficulties

To provide

advice and coaching to others regarding the management and care of clients with

communication difficulties through case discussions, joint intervention and

assessment and therapy programmes as appropriate

To

demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice and

outcome measures

To produce

reports regarding clients needs and summarising proposed treatment plans

To contribute

to legal documents such as Education Health & Care Plans, Individual

Education Plans and Annual Reviews

To adapt

practice to meet individual clients circumstances, including due regard for

cultural and linguistic differences

To maintain

up to date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT professional standards

and local trust policies

To share

information with clients, carers and other professionals, observing data

protection guidelines

To contribute

to multi and uni-disciplinary teams to ensure a client focused approach to

treatment

To

communicate complex information from assessment and treatment to clients,

carers and other professionals

To

communicate effectively with the child or young person and their carers to

maximise treatment potential and ensure understanding of their condition. Addressing physical, psychological and

emotional barriers to effective communication will be regularly required.

To work

closely with clients, carers and other professionals to negotiate and agree

client management

To

demonstrate empathy with clients, carers and colleagues, ensuring that

effective communication is achieved, particularly where significant barriers to

understanding exist

To respond

sensitively at all times particularly when imparting potentially distressing

information regarding the nature of the clinical difficulties and their

implications

To

demonstrate skills in motivating clients, carers and other professionals to

engage in the therapeutic process

To

demonstrate negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of

situations

To deal with

initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible, in line

with North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust policy

To foster

productive relationships with others who have challenging communication difficulties

and may be under stress

To employ

excellent communication skills

To identify

appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance the effectiveness of

communication, both verbal, non- verbal and environmental

To assess and

advise on optimising the clients communicative environment, taking into

consideration the communication skills of carers and other professionals

To assess the

capacity of the child or young person to give valid, informed consent. To be able to work within a legal framework

with children and parents for consent to treatment.

Flexible working will be considered for all roles.

North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (NCM) serves more than one million residents across the Halton and Warrington boroughs and the wider North West region.

Bringing together community and out-of-hospital services (formerly provided by Bridgewater Community Healthcare) with inpatient and elective care (formerly Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals) we provide services at two hospital sites and more than 70 community hubs and facilities.

Our mission, vision and values are at the heart of North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (NCM).

They underpin everything we do and everything we aspire to be as an organisation.

Our mission

We will be exceptional for our patients, our communities and each other

Our vision

We will be a great organisation providing excellent healthcare and opportunities to work and learn

Our values

Right to Work

Relationships

Qualifications

Skills and Knowledge

Job Specific Requirements

Experience