Speech and Language Therapist – Bedford Community Team
Band 5
Supporting children and young people with speech, language and communication needs in mainstream schools.
Job Overview
Are you a newly qualified Speech and Language Therapist looking for a supportive start to your career?
We are recruiting Band 5 Speech and Language Therapists to join our Bedfordshire Children’s Community Service. This is an exciting time to join us as we grow our service in line with national SEND reforms and local investment.
We are expanding our mainstream schools team and strengthening our Team Around the School model. This is a great opportunity to develop your skills in an education-focused role with real impact.
You will:
* Build confidence working in mainstream school settings
* Support children with a range of speech, language and communication needs
* Work collaboratively with schools to embed strategies in everyday practice
Main duties of the job
* Work directly with children and young people aged 5–18 in mainstream schools
* Support school staff to embed strategies into everyday practice
* Contribute to assessment and intervention planning
* Be part of a collaborative "team around the school" model
Detailed responsibilities
* Conduct a range of assessments, both standardised and non-standardised, to make differential diagnosis
* Plan, deliver and evaluate intervention following professional guidelines and agreed service standards
* Plan appropriate long-term and short-term goals, empowering families and settings to embed advice and support
* Maintain case notes, provide written reports, and discharge reports to standards
* Ensure coordination with all involved in children’s care
* Seek second opinions, refer to senior colleagues or SLT specialists when appropriate
* Make onward referrals as appropriate
* Deliver training to enhance the skills of the wider workforce around speech, language and communication
* Develop clinical skills and professional knowledge through experience, training and supervision
* Take part in supervision of students with support and SLT Assistants and volunteers when required
Person specification
Experience
* Experience (including placements) working with children with speech, language and communication needs
* Experience working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
* Experience working in educational settings
* Experience contributing to training or supporting others
Qualifications and training
* SaLT Degree
* Other relevant CPD
Knowledge
* Understanding of speech, language and communication needs
* Awareness of assessment/intervention approaches
* Understanding of universal, targeted and specialist levels of support
* Awareness of safeguarding, SEND processes and clinical governance
* Understanding of EHCP processes
Skills
* Ability to assess and manage a clinical caseload with support
* Ability to work in partnership with education staff to support
* Ability to build positive relationships with children, families and professionalsAbility to work both independently and as part of a team
* Ability to deliver training or group work
Safeguarding
* Demonstrates understanding of safeguarding issues
* Can demonstrate how s/he has promoted ‘best practice’
What we offer
* A supportive, experienced and friendly team
* Regular supervision and peer support
* Structured Band 5 preceptorship programme
* Opportunities for joint working and shadowing
* Access to CPD and clinical forums
* Opportunities to contribute to service development
* Flexible working where possible
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. Additionally, people with disabilities that fall under the Disability Confident Scheme will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the post. All sites are Smoke Free.
Immigration Status
East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust welcomes all job applications. However, potential applicants should note that although the Trust is registered with the Home Office as a sponsor organisation for migrant workers, sponsorship can only be offered against eligible roles. If you are an applicant from outside the UK and do not already hold a self-gained right to work, we recommend you check the Home Office eligibility requirements before making an application.
Other information
In submitting an application, you authorise East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process should you be appointed.
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