Job Description

We currently have full-time permanent posts available for Band 6 speech and language therapists, in our Schools and Early Years & Community teams.



In Schools, we have a wide variety of settings available across primary, secondary, special school and further education. Work will be focused on working collaboratively with education staff, supporting the development of functional communication, successful transition within and between settings, promoting the importance of self-esteem, independence skills, choice and decision. We work in settings in Lambeth, Southwark, and in the surrounding area that commission our school service.



The Early Years & Community team is focused on input to community clinics, children's centres, and nurseries. You will work as part of a cluster of therapists across a geographical area delivering universal, targeted and specialist work. We also have new funding to deliver a commissioned nursery service.



As a specialist therapist, you will be expected to be involved in service development work with support from senior therapists and departmental Clinical Leads.



We provide separate line management and clinical supervision to ensure strong clinical performance and development opportunities. Experienced specialist therapists may be involved in clinical supervision to junior colleagues (with support from Leadership) and offer second opinions to colleagues as needed.



To work within the Children's Speech and Language Therapy Team to provide an assessment and diagnostic service, and to develop, implement and evaluate specialist programmes of care, advice, support and training across Early Years & Community and Mainstream/Special Schools/FE and youth offending settings - dependent on job role and area of specialist development.



To work independently, as part of a team, and across teams, in partnership with parents, education, social care, voluntary and other health professionals to provide integrated care for clients, their families, carers and educators.



To deliver services to children and families, as part of the SLT service and initiatives of service development, meeting identified outcomes.

To meet outcomes through:

direct intervention including universal, targeted and specialist work, training, health promotion, early identification, and advice.



Our Community Paediatric Speech & Language Therapy team are a department that promotes Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in our workforce and practice and value difference and welcome everyone.



We are a team of innovative, enthusiastic clinicians, delivering a range of Speech and Language Therapy services in partnership with parents, Health, Education, Social Services, Local Authority, Youth Offending Services and the voluntary sector working across Lambeth & Southwark.

We can offer you:

Varied and interesting work with a diverse population



A professionally led, data and evidence based service



Excellent supervision and support, alongside a commitment to learning and development



Separate line management and clinical supervision to ensure strong clinical performance and development opportunities



A range of training and shadowing opportunities



Extensive range of hardcopy and online resources; including team-working applications, therapy applications, and online assessments



Mobile and flexible home-working supported by 4G enabled laptop/device and smartphone



Yearly opportunity to be considered for sessions swaps to different clinical areas



Support from a friendly and sociable team - including a team choir, book club, craft and other activities



Access to a full range of health and wellbeing activities within the Trust, e.g. sports and social club, swimming pool, Cycle to Work scheme, psychological support



EDI initiatives



Duties and Responsibilities



Professional / Clinical responsibilities



To assess, develop and implement Specialist Speech and Language Therapy intervention programmes to meet the needs of clients; adapting practice based on individual clients' or families' circumstances and outcomes, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences



To develop information and resources for clients, families and relevant others regarding the management and care of clients with communication and/or feeding and swallowing difficulties



To write comprehensive reports to be shared with families and a range of professionals, reflecting specialist knowledge



To keep up to date with new techniques and developments for the promotion and maintenance of good practice



To demonstrate skills in dealing with complex issues and to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management



To implement care pathways and recommend changes in practice as appropriate



To identify and make appropriate onward referrals to other agencies



To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence based practice and outcome measures



To raise local awareness of the importance of developing communication skills within service area.



To identify training needs and to develop, provide and evaluate appropriate specialist training to parents, carers, volunteers, educators and practitioners.



To participate in and contribute to projects, activities and events including attendance at team meetings



To establish appropriate partnerships with agencies and disciplines which are seeking to promote social and educational inclusion for children with speech, language, and communication difficulties.



Management and Leadership



To take a delegated role or lead as requested by Team Leader, including participation in working groups, policy development groups, specific projects and events



To use specialist knowledge to inform line manager on issues of service delivery/ policy development, including access and equity shortfalls and, service pressures



To develop care protocols/packages relating to specialist area in liaison with Team Leader to improve client care



To negotiate with others including health, education and social care professionals to achieve seamless services for children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs



Financial and physical resources responsibilities



To monitor stock levels in own service area and request and purchase new equipment as appropriate



To develop resources of interest to specialist client group



To follow procedures for ensuring the security, care and maintenance of equipment, taking responsibility for maintaining standards of infection control and safety- including equipment loaned to clients



Education & Professional Development



To engage in reflective practice with peers through participation in peer review, peer mentoring and supervision as appropriate



To provide mentoring, advice and support to more junior Speech and Language Therapists, Assistants, speech and language therapy students, and volunteers



To facilitate the development of others' problem solving/negotiation skills within peer review/support



To plan, monitor and support the work of assistants, students, administration staff and volunteers



To resolve verbal complaints about the Speech and Language Therapy service in liaison with team leader



To generate appropriate strategies for management of own workload



To take on organisational responsibilities within, and contribute to, team meetings



To develop and review induction packages, to provide induction for more junior members of staff



To explain the role of Speech and Language Therapists to parents, visitors, students, other professionals and volunteers



To provide full student placements, including assessment of the placements as appropriate



To support students from other professional groups as appropriate



To establish own learning needs and take responsibility for own learning



To contribute to identifying training needs within the team.



Information management



To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT professional standards and local trust policies



To share information with carers, school staff and other professionals, observing data protection guidelines and client confidentiality



To gather and update activity data accurately and regularly, ensuring the provision of such information promptly within local Trust guidelines.



To contribute to team-wide initiatives to seek the views of children, parents and partner organisations on the quality and effectiveness of service provided



To participate in departmental research, Clinical Governance/Audit projects.



Freedom to act



To manage independently a caseload of children including complex cases



To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate



To work within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct and the Trust's value based behaviours.



To work independently accessing line management, supervision, and performance development reviews (appraisal) at pre-determined intervals