Speech & Language Therapy Assistant (Slta)

Job Introduction
Working under the guidance of a registered Speech and Language therapist within the team to assist with providing speech and language therapy support to children and young people in clinics and designated education settings in Wiltshire. This will include both working as part of a team and working independently in school settings.
- Provide regular intervention to children and young people (CYP) with Speech, Language & Communication Needs (SLCN), delivering programmes as devised by a qualified SLT.
- Develop the skills of the Team around the Child (TAC).
- Keep regular accurate written records of the progress of the CYP.
- Provide some administrative support for the clinical work of SLTs.
- Work as an integral part of the SLTA team to promote best practice.

**This is a Term Time Only post.**

Main Responsibilities
**Key responsibilities**:

- Independently implement programmes of regular intervention, following aims and objectives set by the SLT. These may need to be delivered individually or in small groups and in a wide range of environments, including clinics, preschools and schools.
- Plan, devise and create activities and resources to meet the aims of the programme of intervention.
- Demonstrate speech and language activities to professionals and parents/carers.
- Train the team around the child (TAC) through regular interventions with a child or young person (CYP), in order to ensure that the CYP achieves their optimum communication potential.
- Provide training to the TAC through the delivery of specific communication programmes e.g. narrative therapy.
- Evaluate the response of the CYP to the intervention and modify and adapt activities accordingly, and decide when further liaison with the SLT is required.
- Provide feedback to professionals and parents/carers about the programmes of intervention and about the progress of the CYP.
- Use an electronic record-keeping system to maintain ongoing accurate records of a CYP’s progress.
- Administer some basic screening assessment tools as requested by SLTs.
- Complete written templates to summarise the CYP’s progress at the end of a period of intervention.
- Independently create and manage a timetable of visits, taking into account geography and other variables linked to the CYP to ensure best use of time.
- Routinely travel to a variety of locations within the service’s geographical area, while carrying and/or transporting resources relevant to the intervention.
- Support the administrative work of the SLT where appropriate e.g. resource-making.
- Provide broader support within the SLT department e.g. maintaining toys/resources.
- Be an integral part of the SLTA team whose role includes peer support and sharing of best practice.

**For a full list of responsibilities for this role please see attached Job Description**

Essential
- Minimum GCSE grade 4 or C in English & Maths

or
- NVQ level in relevant field
- Minimum two years’ experience working with children
- Ability to learn as demonstrated by previous education/qualifications.
- Have relevant and practical work experience related to the clinical area of this post, demonstrating an awareness of client needs and likely service issues.
- Have an excellent standard of spoken and written English.
- Have a high level of self-motivation and enthusiasm.
- Show an ability to be organised and manage own time efficiently.
- Be able to on occasions cope with and appropriately manage the emotional consequences of working with patients with distressing conditions, or in challenging situations.
- Demonstrate good interpersonal skills including the ability to listen well and show empathy as well as be able to deal with difficult/sensitive situations.
- Have a willingness to learn and develop.
- Be able to communicate clearly, directly and honestly, in an open manner.
- Have a good awareness of self and of others.
- Good skills with IT.
- Demonstrate ability to document details clearly and accurately.

**Desirable**
- Knowledge or experience of working with children with speech, language and communication needs
- Other requirements: Have means to travel across the Wiltshire area to carry out the duties required for the role.

About The Company
We change lives by transforming health and care.

Established in 2006, we are one of the UK's leading independent providers of community health and care services, working with health and care commissioners and communities to transform services with a focus on experience, efficiency, and improved outcomes. We deliver and transform adult and children community health services, primary care services including urgent care, sexual health, dermatology and MSK services as well as adult social care and wellbeing services. Across England, we support communities of many millions and directly help more than half a million people each year - guided by our simple values: we care, we think, we do.

Package Description
As a Speech & Language Therapy Assistant (SL