We are offering an exciting opportunity for an experienced Speech & Language Therapist to join the Camden Early Years Speech and Language Therapy Service, supporting children with a wide range of speech, language and communication needs. This varied role combines specialist clinical practice, workforce development, service improvement and leadership.
One day per week will be as part of the Camden Kids Talk multi-agency initiative. Working alongside a Specialist Teacher and Speech and Language Therapists, the postholder will support the delivery of the project, helping early years practitioners implement evidence-based approaches that promote children's communication development. The successful candidate will also provide universal, targeted and specialist support for children with complex speech, language and communication needs. There will be a particular focus on shaping a service for children with social communication differences, working collaboratively with families and partner professionals to achieve positive outcomes.
Working closely with nurseries, Family Hubs and partner agencies, the postholder will help ensure children and families receive high-quality, inclusive and family-centred support.
This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled clinician with strong communication and leadership skills who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and families.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Provide assessment, intervention and advice for children with speech, language and communication needs.
Manage a specialist caseload of children with complex communication difficulties, including social communication differences.
Deliver consultation and support to families, nurseries, Family Hubs and partner services.
Contribute to the delivery and development of the Camden Kids Talk initiative.
Coach and train the early years workforce to promote children's communication development.
Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues and partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes for children.
Provide supervision, support and training for Speech and Language Therapists, a bilingual co-worker and students.
Contribute to service development, quality improvement and the implementation of evidence-based practice.
Communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to children, families and professionals.
Promote inclusive, family-centred practice and equitable access to services.
Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.
To demonstrate specialist clinical expertise in the assessment, differential diagnosis, treatment and management of children with speech, language and communication needs.
To provide specialist assessment and intervention for children with a range of communication profiles, including those presenting with social communication differences and complex needs.
To formulate appropriate clinical diagnoses and management plans based on assessment findings, professional judgement and current evidence-based practice.
To manage and prioritise a specialist caseload independently, ensuring effective use of resources and timely delivery of interventions.
To monitor and evaluate outcomes of intervention, adapting programmes and targets in response to children's progress and changing needs.
To communicate complex and sensitive information regarding children's strengths, needs, outcomes and recommendations to parents, carers and professionals in an accessible manner.
To develop positive and collaborative relationships with children, families and professionals to ensure shared decision-making and person-centred care.
To provide specialist advice, consultation and support to education, health and social care staff regarding children's communication needs.
To contribute to multi-disciplinary and multi-agency assessments, reviews and planning meetings as required.
To ensure appropriate onward referral and liaison with other services where additional support is required.
To maintain accurate, comprehensive and contemporaneous clinical records, reports and outcome measures in accordance with Trust policies, HCPC standards and RCSLT guidance.
To demonstrate awareness of current national and local policies, legislation and guidance relating to SEND, Early Years provision and Speech and Language Therapy practice.
To manage complex situations, differing professional opinions and challenging conversations sensitively and professionally.
To work collaboratively with an MDT to deliver, develop and evaluate the Camden Kids Talk initiative.
To provide coaching, modelling and consultation to Early Years practitioners to support the development of communication-supportive environments.
To support settings in embedding evidence-based approaches that promote children's speech, language and communication throughout the daily life of the nursery.
To contribute to the implementation of a whole-setting approach to speech, language and communication development across nurseries and Family Hubs.
To design and deliver training for Early Years practitioners, Family Hub staff, parents and other professionals.
To support the workforce in identifying children with emerging speech, language and communication needs and implementing appropriate support at the earliest opportunity.
To contribute to the development of pre-diagnostic pathways and offers for children with social communication needs and their families.
To work collaboratively with education, health and community partners to improve outcomes for children and families across Camden.
Leadership and Management
To provide clinical supervision, support and guidance to junior Speech and Language Therapists, assistants and support staff.
To contribute to the induction, training and ongoing development of less experienced colleagues.
To supervise Speech and Language Therapy students and support the clinical education programme.
To act as a source of specialist knowledge and advice within the Early Years Speech and Language Therapy Service.
To undertake delegated duties on behalf of the Clinical Coordinator as required.
To contribute to service planning, development and implementation of service priorities.
To participate in working groups, project groups and organisational initiatives relevant to the service.
Audit, Data Analysis and Service Improvement
To contribute to clinical governance, quality improvement and service development initiatives across the service.
To collect, analyse and interpret activity, performance and outcome data to support service evaluation and planning.
To utilise data and outcome measures to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and identify opportunities for improvement.
To participate in, lead and disseminate clinical audit, service evaluation and research projects within area of expertise.
To support the achievement and monitoring of service Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
To contribute to the development, review and implementation of policies, pathways, resources and standards of practice.
Safeguarding
To maintain a comprehensive knowledge of safeguarding legislation, guidance and procedures relating to children and vulnerable families.
To identify safeguarding concerns and take appropriate action in accordance with Trust safeguarding policies and local multi-agency procedures.
To contribute to safeguarding investigations, assessments and meetings as required.
To ensure safeguarding considerations are embedded within all aspects of assessment, intervention and service delivery.
Infection Prevention, Health and Safety
To comply with Trust Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedures at all times.
To adhere to Health and Safety legislation, risk management processes and Trust policies relevant to community, clinic and educational settings.
To follow Lone Working procedures and undertake appropriate risk assessments where required.
To maintain a safe working environment for children, families, colleagues and self.
To report incidents, accidents, near misses and health and safety concerns in accordance with Trust procedures.
To ensure equipment and resources are used, maintained and stored safely.
Professional Responsibilities
To maintain registration with the HCPC and adhere to the RCSLT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
To maintain and develop specialist knowledge and skills through continual professional development.
To participate in regular supervision, appraisal and personal development review processes.
To be accountable for professional actions and work within the boundaries of professional competence.
To undertake other duties consistent with the grade of the post as required by the Clinical Coordinator, Service Manager or Head of Service.
