Speech and Language Therapy Associate Practitioner

Job Overview
We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to join our large, well-established school's team  to deliver a service to individuals and groups of children with a range of speech, language and communication difficulties and Special Educational Needs (SEN).

You will already have experience working as an associate practitioner in primary and secondary schools.

You will be expected to work independently with children under the guidance of a Speech and Language Therapist, to plan, deliver and evaluate treatment programmes, in addition to carrying out administrative duties to support departmental activities. The post will involve travelling between schools working with education staff to carry out programmes, modifying and adapting activities to suit the needs of individual children. You will be expected to work collaboratively with children and young people, parents/carers and families.

Main duties of the job

• To communicate factual patient related information to clients, families and school staff in order to support curriculum access and ensure well co-ordinated support/care plans.
• To liaise closely with SLTs in the department in order to provide verbal and written feedback about individual children's' progress with therapy activities
• To share information with others observing confidentiality and data protection guidelines and having due regard for local guidance on sharing information with colleagues in education, social services and voluntary sector.
• To work closely and demonstrate empathy with children and families, reporting back about therapy sessions and ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist, e.g. EAL, communication and learning difficulties.
• To have due regard for the cultural and linguistic differences of children and families concerned
• To use skills such as motivation persuasion and explanation to encourage CYP and their families to participate in treatment programmes.
• To attend case conferences/planning meetings.
• To form productive relationships with others who may be under stress and/or have challenging communication difficulties/behaviour, seeking support as required
• To participate in training activities (both formal and informal) for professionals and parents, as directed by a speech and language therapist.

Working for our organisation

We are:

• A large supportive, sociable and friendly MDT team of 60+therapists
• Committed to the well-being of our staff
• Easily accessible via public transport from central London and neighbouring counties

You will be joining and welcomed into a diverse therapy team who actively promote and advocate for equality and diversity.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Please see job description for the details of the main duties and responsibilities required in this post.

Person specification

Education And Qualifications
Essential criteria

• Recognised NVQ, NNEB or equivalent Qualification
• Short courses in development of speech, language and communication e.g. ELKLAN

Experience
Essential criteria

• Experience working as an SLTAP in primary and secondary schools.
• Working with Children and young people with speech, language and communication difficulties.
• Working with parents and carers
• Writing clinical notes
• Working with a speech and language therapist
• Running groups
• Providing training to parents / carers

Skills and knowledge

Essential criteria

• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Proficient user of SystmOne
• Good interpersonal skills – including observation, listening and empathy skills
• Well-developed concentration skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with children and young people of all ages and abilities. and to manage children's behaviour
• Knowledge of normal communication skills (e.g. speech sounds, receptive and expressive language, social communication)
• Knowledge of basic communication difficulties seen in children (i.e. phonology difficulties, language delay, social communication difficulties).
• Skills in using basic strategies and techniques for speech and language development (i.e. speech sound tasks, parent-child interaction techniques).
• Good IT skills
• Ability to modify / adapt therapy activities
• Knowledge of children with disabilities

Desirable criteria

• Ability to work in an unpredictable environment and to prioritise own workload.
• Good organisational skills
• Good Telephone skills
• Ability to work independently under guidance within agreed constraints

Attitudes, aptitudes, personal characteristics

Essential criteria

• Demonstrates ability to be a team player