Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and Therapy Lead

JOB SUMMARY Take a lead role in overseeing and delivering speech and language therapy support for children and young people on your caseload, and area of specialism Contribute to therapy lead meetings to support service development for the service Contribute to multi-agency meetings, annual reviews and tribunals if required To be responsible for line management, and clinical supervision of a group of speech and language therapists within the team To lead on service development in own specialist area, and support the team to embed the tiered model (universal/targeted/targeted plus/specialist) Support the head of therapies and principal speech and language therapist with service development, and lead on specific workstreams for the wider therapies team To hold a caseload in line with area of specialism / clinical interest PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES: Developing strong working relationships with Head Teachers and SENDCos and staff in assigned educational establishments. Deal with any
problems promptly which may arise in order to maintain good working relationships, and propose solutions to these. Coordinate the work of the speech and language team within the assigned establishment/s including organising appropriate therapy packages, deciding length of input and discharge arrangements. To lead on training of teachers and Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) to enable them to deliver carry-over work and to raise the profile of speech and language needs in the context of wider training when appropriate. Maintain effective and proactive working with partner agencies to enable transition and support for specific pupils. To support the wider team to further develop a tiered Universal, Targeted, Targeted Plus and Specialist model of therapies delivery in the local area. To support the local area implementation of Experts at Hand. Work with stakeholders and the team to achieve national and local targets/ outcomes. Take responsibility for the embedding of legislative change and
key developments relating to improved outcomes for pupils with SLCN. Participate in the evaluation of the effectiveness of intervention and models of service delivery, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of relevant clinical practice and research within the area of specialism and making recommendations on procedural improvements to enhance team performance. To be accountable for the achieving of clearly specified and measurable progress for pupils within these establishments and to provide outcome data. Work with Cognus Occupational Therapists and the wider Cognus teams to provide a joint working approach. Provide line management and clinical supervision for a group of Speech and Language Therapists / Speech and Language Therapy Assistants (SaLTAs) / students within the team Oversee a group of therapists within allocated hubs including clinical governance. To complete clinical audits and observations to review and monitor quality of practice of supervisees and
wider team as required, including quality assurance of reports. Contribute to multi-agency meetings and Annual Reviews, including tribunals as and when required. Participate in department in-service training. To pursue an active programme of continuing professional development including feedback on any courses or conferences attended To meet regularly with the Therapy Leads and take ownership of service development and improvement To meet regularly with clinical supervisors and line managers for CPD, performance management and clinical and service development. To support the Head of Therapies in managing the Therapies budget and maximising outcomes from public money, modelling this stewardship to the wider team in financial decision-making To support Therapies traded income targets and, where possible, proactively seeking traded opportunities to support income generation and sustainability of the service. The specific traded projects will be agreed and delivered with
oversight by your line manager. Maintain full, accurate and timely records including case notes and reports, and ensure that these are delivered within agreed service standards. Preparation and delivery of individual therapy programmes based on initial assessment and current evidence-based practice. Evaluation and recording of pupil progress and maintaining of records to the requirements of Cognus Limited. To facilitate appropriate management of caseload including negotiating appropriate therapy packages, length of input and discharge arrangements. The post holder may also be required to work flexibly in local schools and colleges across the 4 to 25 age range, delivering complex service activities and managing caseloads to ensure intended outcomes are delivered within agreed service standards.