Job Description

This is a wonderful opportunity to progress in complex needs, dysphagia and autism assessment. The post holder will be part of our rich peer supported network in the Haringey Early Years SLT team, will have an interest in developing a specialism in dysphagia, SLCN and autism. You will also be part of the MDT autism assessment team 2 days a week assessing children 2-12yrs. Your EYrs caseload will consist of neonates to 5 yrs. You will advise and give training on AAC and autism to parents and EY Practitioners. You will work alongside the specialists in this area and be part of a skilled MDT including PTs, OTs, dietitians, HVs, paediatricians, portage visitors and infant feeding specialists, with opportunities for joint working and interdisciplinary learning. You will also work with and support more junior staff including therapists, assistants and students.



Your caseload of children will have SLCN and/or dysphagia and will include clinic, home and/or nursery visits. Interventions maybe 1-1 or group. You will advise/train carers and multi-agency staff on issues related to both individual cases and effective communication strategies/good communication environments. The postholder will demonstrate a high level of clinical expertise and participate in CPD to maintain and further develop specialist knowledge and clinical practice. This is an opportunity for development in dysphagia competencies.



It is the responsibility of all staff registered with a professional body to:



Act within the Professional Bodies Code of Practice

Maintain their own work profile to ensure revalidation standards are met, and assist junior registered staff in achieving revalidation.

Contribute and participate in the development of colleagues professional practice across the trust through leading ward and/or department projects, and supporting training

Ensure optimum use is made of working time.



Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.



To provide specialist input into assessment and therapy for children with SLCN (including autism) and dysphagia and their families (birth to 5 years).



To provide specialist input into autism assessments for children 2-12 years. This could involve detailed development case histories from parents/carers and/or ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observational Schedule) assessments with the child/young person.



The postholder will demonstrate a high level of clinical expertise and participate in continuing professional development to maintain and further develop specialist knowledge and clinical practice.



To be involved in clinical governance issues by keeping up to date with developments in paediatrics, undertaking audits to evaluate practice and participating in research projects.



To have a support role with junior colleagues, therapy assistants and students.



To advise and train carers and multi-agency staff on issues related to both individual cases and effective communication and language strategies.