Speech and Language Therapist
Salary: £50,000 - £60,000
The primary purposes of the role are to:
- Assess, record and report on students' social communication needs.
- Provide direct and indirect therapy to support students in areas which have been identified in co-production with students, parents, staff and other professionals.
- Ensure students' communication needs are supported in the best possible way by following our staff ethos.
- Contribute to EHCP Annual Reviews and assessments of progress and needs, as part of a multi-disciplinary team in co-production with students and families.
- Make a positive difference to students’ social communication skills.
- Mitigate risks associated with masking and previous school-related trauma.
- Support the growth and diversification of the company.
Reporting line: The Speech and Language Therapist will report to the Proprietor and engage in appropriate clinical supervision, which will be provided or funded by the company.
Qualifications and experience
- Evidence of academic achievement at or above degree level, to include a relevant professional qualification such as a Speech and Language Degree.
- Evidence of registration with the HCPC and RCSLT.
- At least 2 years of post-graduate experience working with academically able young people, aged 9+, with autism or anxiety and related needs.
- Experience of supporting students across Key Stages 2to 5 in specialist educational settings.
- Experience of contributing to EHCP annual reviews or similar.
- Any other training or qualification relating to education, autism, anxiety, dyslexia, sensory needs or other special educational needs.
- A sound knowledge and understanding of the typical needs of our students, including a thorough understanding of masking.
- A full driving licence and business use of a vehicle.
Organisation
- Ability to plan and organise in ways that consistently meet the needs of students
- with autism and anxiety. Ability to absorb information quickly and accurately, particularly in relation to a student’s profile and needs.
- Ability to recognise and identify problems.
- Ability to record and pass on information accurately.
- Ability to work in successful and consistent co-production with students and families, advocating for student and parent voice.
- Ability to critically analyse information.
- Ability to manage a varied role and concurrent responsibilities.
- Experience of planning educational visits and other activities.
- A sound knowledge of data protection legislation.
- A sound understanding of the way in which therapeutic records may be used or
- misused in the course of SEND Tribunal proceedings.
Special skills and interests
- Ability to encourage and enable others to develop their full potential.
- Ability to inspire a genuine interest in the topics being taught.
- First aid
- Any hobby or skill which would support activities at the company, for example foreign languages, music, sport, cooking, arts and crafts, gardening, photography, computing etc.
- Any extra interests which may be relevant to young people
Disposition and attitudes
- Ability to recognise and learn from the expertise of all stakeholders.
- Ability to adapt your practice in light of students’ preferences and feedback from stakeholders, without breaching professional boundaries.
- High levels of self-confidence.
- An active personal interest in self-development.
- Experience of varied working methods, strategies, interventions, age groups, specialist interests etc.
- Ability to recognise the complexity of students and the need for personalised and highly adapted approaches.
- A natural affinity with students with autism or anxiety and an intuitive understanding of how to support them.
- A passion for enabling students to access all aspects of education and achieve their full potential.
- Confidence to prioritise the needs and wellbeing of the students and to challenge others as necessary to ensure best practice is maintained.
- Willingness to support interactions withthe school animals and to encourage students in their individual interests.
- Ability to think and respond flexibly, to be open-minded and to accept change at short notice.
- Ability to accept constructive professional challenge and view it as an opportunity to reflect on your own practice and training needs.
- A calm, friendly, helpful, patient and caring approach.
- Ability to make measured decisionsunder pressure.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team and a willingness to pro-actively assist colleagues.
- Ability to be diplomatic and to act with discretion.
- Experience of conflict resolution.
- Ability to provide appropriate professional challenge and encouraging critical analysis and professional development, in the context of a supportive environment.
- Willingness to work flexibly across local sites in accordance with operational needs.
- Excellent punctuality.
Physical attributes and other factors
- Physical and mental ability to fulfil the responsibilities of the post, subject to appropriate reasonable adjustments being in place.
- Willingness to work indoors, outdoors and around animals in all weathers.
- Willingness and ability to attend appropriate meetings and training.
- Good personal presentation.
- Fluent written and verbal use of English.
- Evidence of good self-care.
- Personal enjoyment of a wide range of activities, including outdoor pursuits.