We are looking for Band 5 speech and language therapists to come and join our ever expanding Children’s Community Speech and Language Therapy team. We are a department that promotes Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in our workforce. We value difference and welcome everyone.
We have a team of innovative, enthusiastic clinicians, delivering a range of Speech and Language Therapy services in partnership with parents, Health, Education, Social Services, Local Authority, Youth Offending Services and the voluntary sector working across Lambeth & Southwark.
We have established a good reputation for supporting new graduates into work through induction, mentoring and training from clinical specialists. We are open to employing as a Speech and Language therapy Assistant prior to registration to work as a Speech and Language Therapist.
We have a wide range of experience and specialisms including licensed trainers within the team. We have a well-established cycle of training in programmes such as Makaton, PCI, Lidcombe, Attention Autism, Hanen, etc. available as appropriate to the therapist’s post.
Our large, progressive team allows us to create multiple opportunities for staff to develop their clinical knowledge and skills with a wide range of specialist therapists to shadow and learn from directly and take part in varied development opportunities to expand people’s job experience.
We currently have a number of full-time permanent posts available for Band 5 speech and language therapists, split across our Schools and Early Years & Community teams.
Schools
To deliver a service to children within mainstream primary/secondary schools, Special Schools and Further Education settings. In addition, to provide advice, training and guidance to school staff, with the aim of reducing barriers to learning, promoting inclusion and cascading skills to staff. This will likely include Expert at Hand sessions.
Early Years & Community
To independently manage an early years caseload for children aged 0-19, providing assessment, specialist direct and indirect therapy delivered in health clinics, Children’s Centres, and occasionally, within nurseries and homes. To deliver training and health promotion to early years practitioners and parents/carers. To deliver services to children and families meeting identified outcomes through direct intervention, training, health promotion, early identification and advice.
We can offer you:
Varied and interesting work with a diverse population
A professionally led, data and evidence based service
Excellent supervision and support, alongside a commitment to learning and development
Separate line management and clinical supervision to ensure strong clinical performance and development opportunities
A range of training and shadowing opportunities
An extensive range of hardcopy and online resources; including team-working applications, therapy applications, and online assessments
Mobile and flexible home-working supported by 4G enabled laptop/device and smartphone
Yearly opportunity to be considered for session swaps to different clinical areas
Support from a friendly and sociable team – including a team choir, craft and other activities
Access to a full range of health and wellbeing activities within the Trust, e.g. sports and social club, swimming pool, Cycle to Work scheme, psychological support
EDI initiatives
Our Speech and Language Therapy department provides focused and clinically driven services across the community (Lambeth & Southwark) and commissioned settings in neighbouring boroughs. Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital Trust consistently performs well in staff satisfaction rankings in NHS Staff Surveys.
Professional / Clinical responsibilities
To provide autonomous clinical management adapting practice to meet individual patients’ circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences
To provide advice to others regarding the management and care of patients/clients with communication and interaction difficulties, and seek out second opinions where necessary.
To provide clinical reports for specific purposes e.g., EHCPs, to be shared with families and a range of professionals.
To demonstrate appropriate caseload management.
To ensure that service users are able to express their views and opinions and are involved in the planning and prioritisation of their care plans wherever possible.
To contribute to the development and implementation of clinical care pathways.
To identify and make appropriate onward referrals to other agencies
To develop information and resources for parents, carers and other professionals about speech, language and communication needs.
To raise local awareness of the importance of developing communication skills within service area.
To identify training needs and to develop, provide and evaluate appropriate training to parents, carers, volunteers, educators and practitioners.
To participate in projects, activities and events including attendance at team meetings
To plan, guide and support the work of educators and carers responsible for implementing strategies and programmes of work in support of children’s speech and language therapy goals.
To provide and receive complex, sensitive, condition related information to clients, carers, families and other professionals.
Management
To take delegated tasks related to specific projects, working groups and events as appropriate and as requested by line manager.
To advise line manager on issues of service delivery, including access and equity shortfalls and service pressures
To contribute to interagency/multi-disciplinary working and team building
To be aware of and implement service and team plans and policies in own role
To use knowledge of settings and client group to inform and develop services and policies.
Financial and physical resources responsibilities
To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate
To develop resources of interest to client group
To be responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained – including equipment loaned to clients
Education & Professional Development
To engage in reflective practice with peers through participation in peer review, peer mentoring and supervision as appropriate
To plan, monitor and support the work of assistants and volunteers
To resolve verbal complaints about the Speech and Language Therapy service in liaison with line manager
To explain the role of Speech & Language Therapists to parents/carers, professional colleagues in education, health and the voluntary sector and to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
To support students from other professional groups as appropriate and to provide/support full student placements
To contribute to identifying training needs within the team.
Information management
To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with HCPC/RCSLT professional standards and local trust policies
To share information with carers, school staff and other professionals, observing data protection guidelines and client confidentiality
To gather and update activity data accurately and regularly, ensuring the provision of such information promptly within local Trust guidelines.
To participate in areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness
To contribute to team-wide initiatives to seek the views of children, parents and partner organisations on the quality and effectiveness of service provided
To contribute to departmental research, Clinical Governance/Audit projects.
To collect and provide research data as required by the department.
Freedom to act
To manage caseload independently seeking guidance and support where appropriate.
To be accountable for own professional actions and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate.
To work within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct and the Trust’s value based behaviours.
To work independently accessing line management, supervision, and performance development reviews (appraisal) at pre-determined intervals.
