Overview
Senior Speech and Language Therapist / Assessor will provide high quality pre-entry therapy assessments for prospective learners with complex physical and learning needs, ensuring the holistic understanding of each learner’s therapy needs prior to enrolment at National Star.
Main duties of the job
This role bridges assessment and therapy, offering potential students and families an expert clinical perspective during the admissions process. The post holder will not hold a traditional therapy caseload but will play a key role in shaping therapy provision recommendations through functional and subjective assessments. There will be opportunities to be involved in direct therapy delivery to our young people to maintain clinical skills.
The therapist will work collaboratively with the Assessments team and their respective disciplines (Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy or Speech & Language Therapy) to contribute to the formulation of person-centred recommendations for therapy input, equipment needs, and support strategies.
This is a critical role within the organisation contributing to the success of student placements. The role is primarily based at our Ullenwood campus, with support to other facilities including Worcester, Hereford and Mamhilad (Wales).
About us
Why National Star?
* Be part of a team that believes in people
* Thrive in a supportive, learning-rich environment where your growth matters
* Grow your career in a role where you can use your clinical excellence to make a real difference
* Join an organisation deeply committed to safeguarding, equality, and inclusion
Job responsibilities
Job titles
* Senior Occupational Therapist Assessor
* Senior Physiotherapist Assessor
* Senior Speech & Language Therapist Assessor
Organisational responsibilities
* Reports to: Recruitment Assessment & Admissions Manager
* Therapy Managers (Occupational, Physiotherapy, SLT)
* Liaises with: Students and their families / carers, Therapy colleagues, All sites Provision Managers, Learning Program Managers and Deputies, Senior Residential Teams, Internal MDT, Allied Health Professionals, External Agencies and Stakeholders
* Located: Hybrid requirement to be onsite for assessments – Ullenwood/Worcester/Mamhilad/Hereford
Main purposes of the job
* Provide high quality pre-entry therapy assessments for prospective learners with complex physical and learning needs, ensuring holistic understanding prior to enrolment
* Bridge assessment and therapy; shape therapy provision recommendations through functional and subjective assessments
* Collaborate with Assessments team and therapy colleagues to formulate person-centred recommendations for therapy input, equipment needs, and support strategies
* Support student placements as a critical role within the organisation
Primary tasks
* Assessment Duties
* Undertake pre-entry assessments in conjunction with the wider assessments team
* Review and analyse EHCPs, medical reports and supporting documents to prepare for assessment
* Carry out subjective and functional assessments with prospective learners and families in person or remotely
* Apply professional expertise to identify therapy needs and make evidence-based recommendations
* Produce clear, concise, robust written assessment reports in a timely manner to support admissions and funding
Clinical expertise
* Maintain up-to-date professional registration and clinical competencies within your specialist discipline
* Participate in clinical supervision to ensure practice is evidence-based and aligned with National Star standards
* Where capacity allows, support therapy delivery through a small clinical caseload or input into ongoing student support
* Work autonomously, basing decisions on evidence-based recommendations
* Collaborate with assessments team, education, care and therapy colleagues for holistic assessments
* Liaise with internal therapy team members to align pre-assessment recommendations with capacity and resources
* Communicate effectively with students, families, referrals and external professionals to provide accurate information and recommendations
* Support shaping and remodeling the assessments process for a streamlined, person-centred service
* Contribute to ongoing development of the therapy assessment role and processes
* Engage in CPD, audits and service improvement activities
* Adhere to HCPC, discipline bodies (CSP/RCOT/RCSLT) and National Star policies
Quality assurance & service development
* Involve in quality assurance and development of practice within the team to maintain high standards
* Lead initiatives to reduce disparities in therapy services at offsite provisions
* Provide clinical and statistical information including audits and outcome measures
* Comply with National Star policies and professional Codes of Practice
Stakeholder engagement & communication
* Promote a professional image and raise the profile of the therapy service within College and the wider community
* Communicate therapy-related information to students, families and external professionals in a timely and transparent manner
Data management & reporting
* Ensure accurate documentation of professional interventions, assessments and communications in line with standards and policies
Safeguarding, compliance & EDI
* Commit to safeguarding, attend annual training, and adhere to safeguarding policies
* Promote equality, diversity and inclusion
* Maintain student confidentiality unless disclosure would be detrimental
* Promote and adhere to Health & Safety policies
Additional duties
* Be responsive to unpredictable demands and undertake other duties as required
Safeguarding / Equality, Diversity & Inclusion / Health & Safety
* Follow safeguarding obligations and report concerns appropriately
* Demonstrate commitment to equality and diversity in practice
* Promote Health & Safety policies and implement them effectively
Person specification
Other
* Able to meet travel requirements of the post
* Full driving licence
Experience
* Extensive experience delivering evidence-based interventions for individuals with complex disabilities
* Clinical expertise in managing caseloads including vulnerable young adults
* Minimum of 2 years post-graduate clinical experience with complex physical, ASD and learning disabilities
* Specialist clinical reasoning across assessments, interventions, equipment and related competencies
* Strong understanding of functional assessment, EHCPs and SEND processes
* Experience of collaborative working across MDTs
* Excellent report writing and ability to share concise, accurate reports with MDT
* Familiarity with assistive equipment, communication aids, mobility/postural needs
* Experience of working with children or young adults as part of an MDT
Personal skills
* Ability to work flexibly in pressured environments with competing priorities and deadlines
* Ability to analyse and communicate complex clinical information to diverse audiences
* Problem-solving with innovative therapeutic interventions
* Excellent communication, organization, resilience and time-management
* Strong networking to establish effective working relationships
Qualifications
* Recognised therapy degree (Speech & Language Therapy)
* Profession-specific qualifications (eg. Sensory Integration, inclusive communication training, posture & positioning)
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and requires Disclosure to be checked by the DBS.
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