Speech and Language Therapist

• To provide an on-site Speech and Language Therapy service to students aged 1925, delivering therapy as specified in students Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
• To work as part of an integrated, holistic therapy team, embedding communication support across all aspects of college life.
• To act as the lead Speech and Language Therapist within the college, working closely alongside the Head of Therapy to develop, deliver, and strategically expand the SaLT provision.

• To deliver speech and language therapy as outlined in students EHCPs, including individual and group therapy as required.
• To support teaching and support staff to embed SaLT programmes into lessons in line with relevant curricula and pathways.
• To act as a leader and advocate for the Colleges Total Communication approach, supporting staff and wider stakeholders to understand and prioritise communication.
• To organise and manage own workload effectively in line with college deadlines, including clinical supervision, in collaboration with the Therapy Lead, Deputy Principals and pathway leads, to best meet student needs.
• To produce high-quality written reports for annual reviews and attend annual reviews as required.
• To play an integral role in the assessment of new students, including:
• Supporting the admissions and assessment process
• Liaising with current settings
• Visiting students in their existing placements
• Advising on and ordering appropriate SaLT equipment and resources
• To support staff to ensure SaLT resources are created, ordered, organised, and used effectively across the college.
• To work with external professionals as required for specialist interventions including Dysphagia
• To work collaboratively with the therapy team, teachers, and support staff to ensure therapy is viewed as a core value and integral part of Great Oaks College provision.
• To report regularly to the Principal and College Board on the Speech and Language Therapy service, providing expert advice to support the strategic development and expansion of the service in line with student growth.
• To work with the Senior Leadership Team to deliver against the Colleges Quality Improvement Plan, contributing specialist expertise to strategic planning.
• To work with family's and carers in transitioning skills to outside education, making referrals where appropriate
• To work with Deputy Principals to identify, organise, and deliver training to college staff and the wider community supporting students.
• To support the transition of students communication aids and strategies outside of college as they prepare to leave education.
• To undertake any other duties commensurate with the post as required by the Principal.

Essential

• At least two years' experience working in a specialist school or college setting working with young people with Autism and SLD
• Experience working with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), including outcomes-based intervention
• Experience delivering individual and group therapy
• Experience supporting staff to embed communication strategies (including high and low tech AAC) into educational or care settings
• Experience writing professional reports and contributing to annual reviews
• Able to design and deliver speech and language programmes
• Working with parents to ensure they can deliver SALT programmes at home
• Experience delivering staff training and workshops
• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary therapy team
• KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
• Understands the needs of students with learning difficulties including Autism and complex needs
• Able to train, motivate and support staff, enabling their commitment to providing a high-quality service to students and families.
• Ability to assess, plan, deliver, and evaluate SaLT interventions
• Competent in using ICT both within role and in recordkeeping systems
• Understands safeguarding procedures relating to the role.

Essential

• RCSLT recognised degree/diploma or MSc (Hons) in Speech and language therapy or equivalent qualification
• Registered and current membership with HCPC
• Level 2 qualification in English and Maths (GCSE Grade 5 or above, or equivalent qualification)
• Demonstration of relevant continuing professional development (CPD)
• Specialist training and experience in:
• Autism and social communication
• AAC / Total Communication approaches

Desirable

• Registered and current membership with RCSLT
• Specialist training and experience in Dysphagia and PMLD
• Competent in using a range of communication strategies -e.g. touch cues and Makaton
• Experience working with children or young people with complex needs, including PMLD

Essential

• Understands the needs of students with learning difficulties including Autism and complex needs
• Able to train, motivate and support staff, enabling their commitment to providing a high-quality service to students and families.
• Ability to assess, plan, deliver, and evaluate SaLT interventions
• Competent in using ICT both within role and in recordkeeping systems
• Understands safeguarding procedures relating to the role.
• The candidate is willing to put our students needs at the centre of all they do at work.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Tactful, diplomatic and sensitive to the needs of others
• Excellence record in both attendance and punctuality. Not in Management of Absence process.
• Sensitive to the challenges faced by students, staff and families.
• Approachable, polite and professional.
• Resilient. Able to meet demands of a challenging high pressured environment and deal with emergencies when required.
• Flexible. Able to manage last minute changes when required.
• Physically able to undertake all aspects of the role .
• High expectations of self and others.
• Well-groomed and presented in line with requirement of the role.
• Able to travel to 2 sites (Hounslow and Sunbury)
• Committed to equality of opportunity for all.