Job Description

Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) - supporting Children and Young People (CYP) in Virtual School



Due to additional investment we are offering an amazing opportunity for a motivated, innovative, experienced therapist to join our growing team and provide support to CYP looked after by Hertfordshire within Virtual School.



Do you want to support effective interagency work and facilitate positive outcomes for more vulnerable CYP? Are you passionate about empowering education staff and social care colleagues to help CYP reach their full potential?

If so, then we have the perfect role for you.



This 'pan Hertfordshire' 1 WTE post will be based at Howard Court in Welwyn Garden City. The postholder will work across Herts, providing high quality specialist speech and language therapy. They will work closely with Virtual School staff to support CYP who have a wide range of speech, language and communication needs.



We are jointly commissioned by health and education, allowing us to provide a seamless pathway of care from early years through to school age. We have excellent joint working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. This successful working relationship has helped contribute towards us being awarded with new investment.



Interview date is set for Tuesday 29 th July

The role will include:

Working as an autonomous practitioner, providing assessment, intervention, and advice for CYP

Identifying training needs of Virtual School staff and providing consultations, advice and training as appropriate

Providing training and advice to education and social care professionals

Being involved in developing care pathways for children in Virtual School, in conjunction with Band 7 SLT Clinical Specialists and Education Leads

Signposting to other professionals/services and improving the quality of transitions when a CYP moves to outside the local area

Informing and consulting with SLT Clinical Quality Leads, senior Operational Managers regarding potential pressures or developments that impact on the SLT service to CYP in Virtual School



Supervising, training and developing junior SLTs, demonstrating effective leadership and management skills

What We Offer



A supportive two week induction period Half termly group supervision and access to peer support Dedicated managerial supervision and a structured appraisal process CPD opportunities, including bitesize tutorials and peer review Opportunities to develop leadership skills and to supervise less experienced members of staff Opportunities to be involved in local and service wide projects Access to mentoring and coaching support if needed Access to a named buddy to help you settle into the tea

We're delighted that you're exploring a career with Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT). We're committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and rewarding work environment -- one where you'll feel valued and empowered to make a real difference.



Why Join Us?



At HCT, we put patients, their families, and carers at the heart of everything we do. Our vision is simple yet powerful: Outstanding Services and Healthier Communities . Our dedicated staff take pride in being Innovative, Caring, and Agile , working together to turn this vision into reality.



A Rewarding Place to Work



Working with us comes with a host of benefits designed to support you:



Generous annual leave (27 days rising to 33)

Flexible working arrangements to help balance personal and professional life, including up to 5 days of carers leave (pro rata)

Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 confidential support for personal or work-related issues

Cycle to Work & Car Lease Schemes to make your commute healthier or easier

Blue Light Card & NHS Discounts on a wide range of shopping, holidays, and services

Health and wellbeing support , including free flu jabs, Physiotherapy referrals, eye care vouchers, and regular wellness clinics

Occupational Pension Scheme with competitive benefits

Enhanced sick pay above statutory entitlements



We celebrate diversity and actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds, ages, and communities to apply.



Please see attached, which details the responsibilities within this post.



Embedding speech and language therapists in Virtual Schools can support better outcomes for care leavers. The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) states that looked-after children typically experience poorer outcomes than their non looked-after peers. Speech, language and communication needs are more prevalent in children who grow up in neglected environments and disadvantaged homes, which includes many looked-after children. Please click on the link below for further information from RCSLT:



https://www.rcslt.org/wp-content/uploads/media/Project/RCSLT/looked-after-children-fact-sheet.pdf



Please also click on the links provided below to find out more about Hertfordshire County Council's Virtual School offer.



https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/microsites/virtual-school/hertfordshire-virtual-school.aspx



https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/microsites/virtual-school/documents/virtual-school-annual-report-2023-2024.pdf



If you an energetic, self-motivated, adaptable and innovative SLT and you share our passion and commitment to achieving positive outcomes for CYP with speech, language and communication needs, we would welcome your application. We welcome informal conversations and informal visits, so please do get in touch. You can contact Anneka Wilson or Julie Morris, Clinical Quality Leads for SLT by using this email address: hct.sltcql@nhs.net



HCT provides integrated Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Services for families across the county of Hertfordshire. Our CYPT integrated service provides opportunities for joint working and training, and shared learning amongst each profession.



The Children's Therapies service is long established, and we have a reputation for being forward thinking and committed to ongoing service improvement. We embrace change and are driven by the evidence base ensuring we are delivering functional, communication friendly practice using neuro-affirming approaches.



A staff member who has recently joined the CYP Therapies service has said the following:



"I love working in CYPT/HCT - everyone in the team is super dedicated. There is strong management support, but also space for being flexible and creative to meet children's needs; innovation & good practice is valued and encouraged. I enjoy & appreciate the robust supervision structures, training in supervision & coaching, and the many opportunities for personal development and learning, including for example in-house training days and tutorials. I have worked in many teams across Hertfordshire, all without exception friendly and welcoming. There is an ethos of peer support and encouragement & sharing learning; everyone works hard but there is a sense of belonging and always time for a quick chat... and plenty of laughs. I feel valued here and I value my lovely colleagues and the fabulous children & young people we work with."



Applicants wanting to work full time or part time will be considered. A full valid driving licence and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).



In addition to the basic salary, this post attracts a High Cost Area Supplement of 5% of basic salary subject to a minimum payment of 1,303 and a maximum payment of 2,198 per annum pro rata (pro rata where applicable and dependent on base location)



Whilst it is not a legal requirement, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust encourages and supports all it's staff to be vaccinated as this remains the best line of defence against COVID-19.