Job summary
CognusTherapies are a thriving multidisciplinary team of speech and languagetherapists, occupational therapists, teachers, practitioners and therapyassistants who support children and young people aged 4 25 years inmainstream schools, colleges, and specialist settings within the London Boroughof Sutton and surrounding boroughs. We work with children and young people witha variety of special educational needs, Autism, Hearing Impairment, DownSyndrome, Developmental Language Disorder, PMLD, MLD, Dyslexia and many moreand encourage all our therapists to gain experience and expertise across arange of specialisms.
We are seeking an enthusiastichighly specialist speech and language therapist to join our friendly andsupportive team in a leadership capacity. This is an exciting opportunity to bepart of a dynamic team providing leadership and supervision to an allocatedteam of therapists within the service. This role will include own specialistcaseload and supporting the team to deliver innovative and evidence-basedtherapy interventions and an embedded model of therapy in order to best supportthe pupils needs.
We can offer an all-year full-timecontract or a term time plus 2-4 weeks pro rata contract.
Cognus Therapiesprovides a robust supervision framework with all posts receiving Managerialand Clinical Supervision. Regular time is allocated for ProfessionalDevelopment.
Owntransport an advantage but not essential.
Main duties of the job
As a Highly Specialist Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist and Therapy Lead, you will be responsible for:
1. Overseeing provision for pupils in one or morespecialist areas and providing specialist advice to other disciplines
2. Assessingand treating own caseload as part of a multi-disciplinary team
3. Managerialand clinical supervision for a group of therapists within the team includingclinical governance
4. Leadingand contributing to service development and related policies.
About us
Cognus Therapies form part of the Cognus Limited provision for special educational needs within the London Borough of Sutton
Cognus is commissioned, and wholly owned, by London Borough of Sutton, to provide education services to mainstream schools and specialist education providers in Sutton. We are committed to promoting equal access to education and maximise learning for every child, young person, parent/carer and professional.
We offer a great package including:
5. Workplace pension scheme 4% to 8% matched contributions
6. 28 days annual leave pro rata (plus Bank Holidays)
7. Regular managersupport and supervision.
8. Access tohighly skilled clinical leads for peer support and a wide range of clinicalresources
9. Hybrid and flexible working
10. Excellent CPDopportunities and leadership support (including internal and external training)Hybrid and Flexibleworking
11. Excellent CPDopportunities and leadership support (including internal and external training)
12. RCSLT and HCPCRegistrations paid
13. Staff benefitspackage, currently including Employee Assistance Programme, Perkbox and (uponcompletion of probation) Sovereign Healthcare Cashback plans
14. Staff Council, Staff EDI group and Mental Health FirstAiders to support wellbeing and inclusion
15. Cognus Coaching Programmes
16. An ambitious culture with friendly and supportivecolleagues
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY:
17. To take the lead role in the overseeing and delivery of speech and language therapy support for pupils within own clinical area of specialism.
18. To contribute to multi-agency meetings and Annual Reviews, including tribunals as and when required
19. To provide clinical supervision as required
20. To lead on service development in own area of specialism and support the team to transition and develop a tiered Universal, Targeted and Specialist model of therapies delivery in the local area.
PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Duties to include:
Developing strong working relationships with Head Teachers and SENDCos and staff in assigned educational establishments.
Deal with any problems which may arise in order to maintain good working relationships.
Coordinate the speech and language therapy team provision within the assigned establishment/s including arranging 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, embed therapy and to raise the profile of speech and language therapy 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 supervisees to transition and develop a tiered Universal, Targeted and Specialist model of therapies delivery in the local area.
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 to provide a joint working approach.
To provide clinical supervision to students and other staff working in own specialist area in line with Cognus Therapies supervision policy.
To complete clinical audits to review and monitor quality of practice of supervisees.
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 clinical and managerial supervisor for CPD, performance management and clinical and service development.
Maintain own case load to include:
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.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
21. Educated to degree level or equivalent.
22. Relevant qualifications including registration with HCPC
Knowledge and skills
Essential
23. Ability to prioritise and deliver results to high standards.
24. Excellent organisational and management skills.
25. Excellent communication skills including making and delivering presentations to large audiences.
26. Ability to negotiate and troubleshoot, is methodical and persuasive.
27. Leads others by setting a positive example in line with company values and acts as a role model.
28. Adherence to the RCSLT and HCPC policies and procedures
29. Is decisive with advanced problem-solving skills.
30. Is committed to safeguarding and protection of children.
31. Honours and upholds the Companys Equal Opportunity Policy, Dignity at Work Policy, Safeguarding and Protection of Children, Health and Safety and Data Protection Policy at all times.
Experience
Essential
32. A qualification or extensive experience in delivering clinical supervision
Desirable
33. Minimum of 5 years experience as a paediatric speech and language therapist
34. Experience in delivering managerial supervision