Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

We have an exciting new opportunity for a B6 or B5 speech and language therapist to join our team of school age complex needs therapists working 2 days at the Bridge School Ipswich: a school for pupils aged 3-19 and 3 days at Thomas Wolsey Ormiston Academy for pupils with a range of learning and communication needs. If you are passionate about supporting the communication skills of children with complex needs and have an interest in AAC, then we would love to hear from you.

We work in partnership with our colleagues in Early Years and Education to provide the best service possible for children and young people with speech language needs across the county. Both schools have strong links with health and social care.

STAFF CAR PARKING

Staff Car Parking on the West Suffolk Hospital Site is eligible for individuals working outside of the core hours, 07:00 - 18:30.

For individuals working within the core hours, the Trust offers parking off site at the Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club, which is serviced by a regular shuttle bus to and from the Hospital. Details of the bus timetable can be found in the on-line starter pack on the West Suffolk Hospital website.

This parking restriction does not apply if an individual is required to work on a weekend or if they are required to complete "on call" duties within their role.

The closing date for this vacancy may change if we receive a strong response. Please ensure that you apply for any post you are interested in as soon as possible.

Work with students with complex needs with a range of speech, language and communication needs including supporting use of AAC in classroom settings

Carry out assessments appropriate to a complex paediatric client group

Select and successfully interpret a range of appropriate formal and informal assessments

Plan & deliver therapy interventions based on assessment findings and communication needs

Evaluate student progress to update EHCP targets, write Annual Review reports as required

Liaise with families & carers to keep them updated and offer advice / support for communication skills and to ensure they are upskilled as therapy partners

Have a good understanding of your role in terms of Safeguarding for CYP

Keep daily, accurate records of sessions undertaken using SystmOne as per professional and service standards

Have good organisational skills to be able to own plan sessions, re-organise where necessary and manage time effectively

Work closely in partnership with families, educational staff and the wider professional team to support effective outcomes for children and young people

Supervise Speech and Language Therapy Assistants and/or junior colleagues where required

Participate in your own development through supervision, self-reflection and IPR (appraisal) process

Access supervision and mandatory training

Take an active or delegated lead role in supporting wider service development projects, To provide a specialist level of expertise in the assessment and management of children and young people presenting with a wide range of speech, language and communication difficulties.

To determine differential diagnosis, level of need and treatment options, taking account of case history information, and using informal and formal assessment methods.

To communicate assessment outcomes verbally and in written reports to referrers, clients, parents and carers, education staff, health colleagues and other professionals. Communication should be completed in a timely manner taking into account confidentiality and the complex, sensitive nature of the information conveyed and the needs of the recipients.

To formulate and implement the most appropriate therapeutic interventions to improve the speech, language and communication profile of service users following departmental criteria, clinical guidance and evidence-based practice.

To upskill, engage and motivate the therapy partner (parent, carer, or teaching staff) and in some cases the young person themselves to carry out therapeutic activities in between sessions, to ensure best outcomes.

To use therapy outcome measures according to departmental guidance to evaluate therapeutic progress and to assist with clinical decision making.

To discharge children or young people in a timely manner when they have met the departmental criteria.

To use interpreters and translation services to facilitate access to the service for those using English as an additional language.

To assess and advise on the provision of alternative augmentative communication systems (AAC) adhering to departmental protocols, requesting the involvement of external agencies where required.

To support and promote the use of AAC where appropriate for the child or young person

#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.