Speech & Language Therapist

Job summary
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service are looking for a band 5 therapist to join our large, diverse, and supportive team on the school-aged pathway. We serve the South-East London Borough of Lewisham, as part of the Community Health Service for Children, Young People and Families (CCYP) rated at 'Outstanding' in our last CQC inspection.

Main duties of the job
We have a whole-service approach, which means that, as a therapist on the school's pathway. You will have strong links and access to the support of therapists working in special schools, Early Years and Complex Needs & Feeding.

We offer a comprehensive and structured induction to all our new starters followed by regular, high-quality clinical supervision. You will also be allocated a 'schools team buddy' to support your transition into the team. We provide:

• Both individual and group supervision.
• Inner London HCA (High-Cost Living Allowance)
• A shared base with the wider team at Kaleidoscope Centre Catford.
• Great transport links and easy access to central London.
• Weekly protected admin time.
• A range of digital resources including iPads for assessment and an allocated, networked laptop for offsite working.
• Access to regular team training and CPD events.
• Great peer support from a friendly and diverse team.
• Access to a range of therapists with clinical specialisms, able to offer CPD opportunities and second opinions.
• Opportunities to work with colleagues across clinical pathways on service delivery, audit, and quality improvement projects, including our team EDI objectives.
• Access to the Trust's Preceptorship programme.
• Involvement in developing and delivering training to education staff.

The team is registered as a college with the Open College Network (OCN), allowing our learners to gain high-quality, recognised qualifications.

About us
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:

• Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
• Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
• Improving the experience of staff with disability
• Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
• Making equalities mainstream

Job responsibilities
The post holder will work as part of the School-Aged Speech and Language Therapy Team to provide a comprehensive and inclusive speech and language therapy service for children and young people referred to the Team. The children may present with a range of speech, language and communication needs of varying severity.

The post holder will contribute to the development and provision of a range of training packages for parents, carers and education and health staff.

The post holder will contribute to the development and provision of services for children, young people, parents/carers, education staff and members of the multi-disciplinary team to achieve effective outcomes

Qualifications and Training
Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
• Health Professions Council membership- Licence to practice
• Registration as a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Desirable

• Competence/willingness to undertake relevant advanced training/post qualification training

Experience
Essential

• Some experience of working with pre and school aged children with a range of speech, language and communication needs
• Some experience working with parents, teaching and/or education support staff

Desirable

• Delivering training
• Working as part of multi-disciplinary team

Knowledge and Skills
Essential

• Ability to make a differential diagnosis between commonly presenting speech and language disorders in pre and school aged students
• Ability to use a range of assessment tools relevant to pre-school and school aged children.
• Ability to use a range of therapeutic intervention techniques for pre-school and school aged children with commonly presenting speech and language disorders
• Knowledge and understanding of Equal Opportunities
• Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of confidentiality.
• Knowledge of IT and computer systems e.g Micro soft Office or equivalent
• Knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding
• A working knowledge of relevant national polices including SEND code of Practice.
• Ability to present information clearly to a wide range of audiences

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).