Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist (Band 5)

Following the successful appointment of two our our Band 5 therapists to Band 6 posts, we are looking for highly motivated, enthusiastic and creative Paediatric Speech and Language Therapists, who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children/young people with Speech, Language and Communication Difficulties.

We have vacancies for permanent, full time Band 5 Speech and Language Therapists based in Yeovil, Taunton and Wells.

Although you would be based in one area team, you would be required to travel within your area to meet the needs of the caseload and across the county for meetings, training etc.

We would welcome applications from both Newly Qualified and Experienced Therapists and are happy to consider applicants who would like to work part time.

We cover your first year registration fees!

Each base team for SLT has around 6-10 therapists who you would be working alongside, as well as OT and PT colleagues, Therapy Support Practitioners and excellent administrative support.

We have an induction programme in place to help you settle into your new role and offer regular supervision from experienced clinicians to support your ongoing development.

We hold regular team and professional therapy meetings and welcome applications for ongoing CPD training opportunities.

The position offers a varied caseload and you will undertake both initial assessments in clinic as well as ongoing caseload work in a variety of settings such as schools, clinic and family homes. The ongoing caseload work is organised with a centralised and shared list to enable joint working and therapy opportunities.

This post will provide you with the opportunity to develop integrated working with colleagues from Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy. You will also be working in close partnership with education and health colleagues in other services.

As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, fantastic pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.

The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone’s throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.

There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. You will experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan – there is truly something for everyone!

• Works individually and as part of SLT, integrated therapy and other multi-disciplinary and multi-agency teams to provide a service for children and young people who have speech, language and communication difficulties
• Independently assesses, diagnoses, formulates care plans, writes assessment reports and provides appropriate intervention for clients with speech, language and communication impairments.
• Gathers relevant information from a variety of sources to inform diagnosis and decision making about individual clients.
• Provides intervention and evaluates outcomes.
• Involves clients, where appropriate, and their parents/carers in planning therapy programmes.
• Maintains and provides full, accurate and comprehensive case records and reports.
• Reflects on the auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of a client’s communication and identifies appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance communicative effectiveness.
• Develops clear care plans based on best practice.
• Advises clients, carers and staff in Health and other agencies on supplementary or alternative means of communication, as appropriate.
• Actively involves patients in decisions about their own healthcare.
• Works with parents and Education staff to plan and evaluate developmental and educational targets relating to speech, language and communication.
• Provides advice, training and support to educational staff, outside agencies, parents and carers, as appropriate, which may involve training in specific therapy techniques acquired via postgraduate training.
• Provides advice for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) and to contribute to Individual Education Plans.
• When appropriate, writes reports, attends team meetings, case conferences, parents’ meetings and contributes to Annual Reviews of EHCPs.
• Identifies opportunities for integrated clinical working and joint pathways with Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy colleagues.
• Refers on to other specialist Health and Education services as appropriate.